Rock Point, Arizona July 2006

Part of the Jones Family—Navajo

One of the aspects of photography that is worth mentioning is how to work in bad light in a beautiful location with people that are perfect for the surroundings. Normally, noontime sunlight is some of the worse light to contend with. The sun is your main light source and it is close to being directly overhead, meaning there are shadows under the eyes.

In the photo attached to the story is a picture of a Navajo woman and her young daughter. She is brushing the girls hair with a traditional hairbrush. It is a classic photo for this area of the country. It was photographed at noon in July near Rock Point, Arizona.

Mrs. Virginia Jones had contaced me through her sister-in-law, who I had done some portraits for, to see if I could stop by their home and do photos of her and three children. Virginia oldest son was at work and her husband was out of town. I was just traveling south when I started hitting the rainstorms that are prevalent this time of year during the Monsoon season in Arizona. Knowing that there was a better than 80% chance that these clouds would be in the area around noon we set up this photo shoot. Clouds will diffuse the light and the shadows under the eyes will not be as harsh.

I had to drive about three hours that morning to get to the Jones’s house from New Mexico. From there, we piled into my truck and went just a couple of miles from their property. I did several set-ups with Mrs. Jones and her daughter in matching rug dresses. The last shot was this one with the hairbrush. The other two young boys were in cowboy outfits and I photographed them next to a wooden paddock. The one at the bottom of this story is of the youngest boy.

One more thing about photography at noon: you may want to either use a flash or reflector card to fill some more of the shadows. The reflector can be a simple piece of construction board with white and silver on opposite sides. I turned the shot to Black and White for effect in Photoshop.

Petersen Family 5 Generations—Cherokee

Helene is a Cherokee Medicine Woman working with animals. I met her through friends in Phoenix. The first time we met I was wearing my typical jeans and cowboy hat. My friend, Sandra Newman, had told her of my photography of Native Americans and Helene wanted a chance to meet. When we arrived she pointed to a shaded gazebo where we could sit. Helene and Sandra sat first but before I was able to pull a chair out Helene wanted to know who I was and why I take the pictures. All I could do is tell her a little about myself and that I was on the road of discovery. It was almost a year later and many phone conversations with Helene before this family picture was taken. It was near June in Phoenix and we had to do this portrait at Sunrise before it got too hot to even hold the camera.

Stearns Family—Mandan/Hidatsa/Assiniboine and Abenaki

This was the first of the family portraits I have done for the Stearns. During this time they were living on the Marine Corp base at Camp Pendleton. In May of 2005 I did another family portrait after staying five days with the family in their new home on the Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Reservation in North Dakota. They also now have three children. The beaded band I wear on my cowboy hat was a gift from the Stearns Family. The mom, Kim, makes great Star Quilts and beautiful regalia for many people. I learned many things about the Hidatsa from her.

Jacquie Tsontekoy and son Jalin Goodwill—Kiowa

I took this picture at the 2003 Soboba Pow Wow in San Jacinto , California . This was the first picture of their son that had been taken. The light is from the afternoon sun reflecting off of the cement.

Jeanie Dillon-Weiner and Family—San Carlos Apache

This was my first family portrait that really set the mood for portraits to come in my career. It was at the 2003 Santa Ynez Pow Wow in Santa Ynez Valley, California. Jeanie is from the San Carlos Apache Reservation but now lives in Southern California with her husband and family. All I can say about this picture is that I was able to make many duplicate prints for Jeanie to the point where I’m sure her husband, the pilot, just dropped them from his plane onto her mother’s reservation. Jeanie did say something about my being her mother’s best friend now.

The Jon family of Red Valley, Arizona.

I had met the Jon’s about two years ago.  But last year at the Gathering of Nations, they asked me to try and come out to Rock Point the weekend after the GON to take a picture of Kassundra for Navajo Times.  Kassundra had won the Tiny Tot division at the GON.

Now a little story about the distance: Yes, I have been told distance is all in your mind.  However, the Gathering of Nations is in Albuquerque, New Mexico about 14 hours from my house going east.  Rock Point is about 12 hours going northeast from my house. First I had to drive home then back to Rock Point.

Saturday afternoon my friend and I arrive at the Pock Point High School.  Rock Point is in between Kayenta, Arizona and the Four Corners.  The area is southern Monument Valley red rock.  I have been to lots of “Gods Country.”  I include this in one of those places.  The light was beginning to get really good for my style of photography.  We found Mrs. Jon going inside to the pow wow.  She told us that all the girls were getting ready.  I knew of Kassundra, Patricia and Terri but there are two more Tamara and Tashina.  And I thought I was there for Kassundra.

Well as you can see the pictures are epic.  Their regalia is stunning.  Even though I found out afterwards what it would have taken to get Kassundra to smile, Reese’s Pieces, the picture is beautiful.  The picture of all five is also good. Patricia’s smile is one of my favorite pictures.  She has a smile that can light up a room.  If and when Patricia ever reads this; no you’re not gullible and yes I tease you.  I still need to get back out to the area to photograph the whole family on their property.

Terry Tsotigh—Kiowa

I had introduced myself to Terry because I had inadvertently taken his picture at another Pow Wow and I wanted to apologize. Upon that meeting he asked me if I had taken any pictures of him at 2004 Gathering of Nations. I only take on permission and replied, no sir you had not met me yet. I little while later he asked the same question again. I had to respond in the same way. He then gave me permission to take his picture anytime. I have yet to do a family portrait though.

Wallace and Wife—Comanche

This is Wallace Coffey and Becky’s 28th wedding anniversary, taken while he was the emcee at the 2004 Schemitzun Pow Wow in Connecticut . I was working for the Mashantucket Pequot PR Department for the Pow Wow and Rodeo. Wallace had announced that the day was special to them. So I waited for the dinner break and asked if they would like a portrait for the occasion. I had always thought Wallace Coffey was just a knowledgeable emcee and told bad jokes. But he is also the Chairman of the Comanche Tribe in Oklahoma.