The struggle of just being us
"Just like vanilla sky, every passing moment is a chance to turn it all around...
I'm a gifted,caring,dedicated,dependable,positive human being and i have a lot to give when it comes to this world.
My unique persona will be appreciated and respected."
these are a few snaps that were taken in San Francisco within the past 2 years.
I think imma head out to Oakland's art & soul fest this weekend
won't be the same but i will make the best of it and i'll post images when i can.
Bam
I was excited to see Bambu of the native guns last night, he is an amazing performer and speaker.I was lucky enough to be there thanks to my good friend Zoneil Maharaj of oh dang magazine.
Unfortunately, being a good photographer and open minded avid supporter of all hip hop artists still leaves me quite unnoticed because of my skin color.
but, i will continue to shine as my lens leads me to great things irregardless of my ancestors.
Another day
If things could go the way we wanted them i suppose there would just be too much happiness in the world.
Every morning we get up hoping for a better day, hoping to bring loved ones back and hoping to make things the way they used to be.
We try to do whats right and pray for our dreams to come true.Sometimes it takes alot of mistakes and sadness to bring us to where we need to be..i myself am not someone who gives up too easily and although no good deed goes unpunished i still feel at times that my struggles are justified.
I believe in love and i believe as long as you continue doing what you love that same love will come back to you.
Joe Wigfall
Joe is someone who i just stumbled over and i think the world of his work. When i watched this video he made a statement that i have made so many times to myself about what we do as street photographers.
"i had to do this for me"
"yea i would love to be doing this full time but, right now thats not happening"
"get so frustrated i do nothing, that makes no sense and that doesn't encourage anybody else either"
"and it's not over yet"
this cats incredible!
Land on my feet
When i look through the small amount of photos that i have of my hometown alot of things go through my head.After being in Oakland for almost 3 years i have grown such a love for this place i don't quite know if i ever want to leave but, after recent devastating events in my life i just don't know what i want anymore.I hope and pray that things will get better and i would love to stay here a long time.I will finish my work obligations here in the hills, continue shooting and working to better myself and my work and see what happens within the next year. Time will be the only deciding factor in my future and i will do my best to make the right decisions from now on.
End of the day
Today was a 100% tiring and i'm finishing it off with some sleepytime tea and a photo from last sunday night when i was out wandering west oakland and ended up in jack london square. I must have walked about 30 blocks that night and still am not as tired as i am tonight.
It's funny how my personal life reflects my photography..sometimes you can actually tell whats going through my mind by looking at my work.I am currently working on vol .1 of caught in the scramble the book so, i'll be praying that people enjoy it and want to buy it!
I will post info when i'm closer to being finished
godbless & goodnight
-j
Happy couple
This image was taken almost 3 years ago when i first moved to the bay. My good friend Chris that i worked in San Diego with took me there with his roommate and girlfriend.
It was the first time i was in Berkeley and the first time i visited the Albany bulb, It is a very amazing place filled with secret hippie hideouts, abstract art,sculptures,graffiti and some of the most incredible views of the east bay and San Francisco.
I should be there today but, as luck would have it things never go the way i plan them.I probably won't ever be back there again but, once was good enough to document the summer of 06' and my journey though the Albany bulb.
Memory lane
There were times when i was disgusted with this ave. but, without it i wouldn't be who i am today.
Taken in early 07'
Hold your head up
The emotions i feel when i'm out wandering the streets is difficult to explain. Most of my work consists of abstract objects, cityscapes and architecture but, once and awhile i capture a few of the many souls that pass me by as i take a break from my hustles through the alleys and neighborhoods. Now i am not by any means a good portrait taker but, there are just moments in time that i witness from these strangers that have such an effect on me.
This past Saturday i spent more than 9 hours walking countless city blocks in San Francisco and capturing a record 2000+ images. I had to get away from Oakland for the weekend since i lost my heart there over a week ago. I definitely use my photography as a means of relieving pain or sadness or even stress.
These images are ones that made me think about the things that i truly dream of. Not the most incredible images from that day in my opinion but, it is more about how that moment in time effected me.
"I want a little me that i can buy Polaroids for"
Fat Border minus the fat laces
Tonight was an extremely painful night,one of which i never new was possible.
People are the most insensitive creatures on this planet.
Flora Shoot
Flora is a dope lil' local upscale mexican restaurant/cantina over on 19th in downtown oakland.
Oakbook is a dope lil' local magazine that allowed me to do a shoot for their publishing.
Issue No. 4
Page 6
