Project Update: Boyhood (Untitled)
An update and photographs from a current personal project
In previous posts and podcast episodes, I have discussed a project that I’ve decided to undertake in addition to my longer-term endeavour, American Dream: A Portrait of America.
Although the title is still to be determined, the focus is becoming more clear. Initially, I was enouraged by a portfolio reviewer of my work to explore the themes of boyhood and coming of age. At first, I was not sure how to actually broach this topic, however, as life will sometimes do, fate dropped a clue right on my doorstep — or, about five doors down from mine, to be exact.
I have lived in my neighborhood for nearly eight years, and over that time I have come to know many of the folks that live nearby. One house in particular has a boxing gym built out in its garage, and as I have walked my dog over the years, I have seen the owner, Jose, training kids and adults in the late afternoons and early evenings. Recently, Jose — who has seen my work on social media — has mentioned me coming to photograph some of their sessions. While I thought this might be interesting, it was not until I had been recommended to explore the theme of boyhood that it dawned on me just how great of an opportunity this could be from a documentary standpoint.
So, a month or so ago, I began showing up for their training sessions, which occur every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30pm until around 7:00pm.
Although I photographed many of the folks there, one kid and his father stood out to me. They call the boy “The Golden Ticket”. Only just twelve years old, he has technical proficiency and an impeccable work-ethic, matched only by the drive that can be seen, heard, and felt from his father, Eric, in supporting and pushing him. Today is not the day to tell their story, however, it is a compelling one — one that has steered the direction of my project on boyhood and coming of age directly toward them and their relationship with each other and the world of boxing.
More to come, however for now, some photographs that we have made together:
