Tulsa, OK

I love photography because it's the closest thing to the one superpower I would want if I could have one superpower, the ability to read people's mind. Growing up I would try telepathy to will confessions. When it would work, more than less surprisingly, it scared the bejesus out of me so I stopped doing it. And bless those early mates that suffered the insufferable, "What are you thinking of?" (Are you cringing? 'Cause I'm effin' cringing admitting that.) Eventually, to the relief of my future mates, I noticed photography for what it really is.

This photograph isn't telling of a place, nor of my thoughts as to why I snapped the image in the first place, but I hope my photograph relays that there was a thought before the snap. The minute the breeze gusted, and the second it blew his tie and he bowed his head, as if a formal greeting but more to keep his Panama hat on, I mused, "That's Tulsa to a T". Well, Tulsa when it was known as the "Oil Capital of the World" in the 20's or "America's Most Beautiful City" in the 50's. And if the wind didn't billow suddenly, my "T' would've seemed like mockery in Tornado Alley.

I'm not telling you all this to win brownie points. Whether or not it's intentional, I feel like that happens too often when artists explain their work. Rather, I'm trying to detail another thing I love about photography and often debated, luck.

Oklahoma City, OK

Have you noticed how you can get a feel for your destination by the passengers at your departing gate? A flight leaving for Dallas feels like a rodeo. And the debauchery you hear from the other end of the terminal? Well, I'd put my money on Vegas (pun intended :D). Waiting for my connection to Oklahoma City in Denver I wondered about my fellow passengers, what will they be like?

Boarding time neared and they began to arrive, one by one, in units to be precise, familial units. There were so many of them, in all different shapes and sizes! Yes, I was excited, hell downright giddy because I felt like the British commentator on the National Geographic channel: Here's a young couple with their first born. Look how the mother coddles her young child -- oh, and what's this?! An extended family in fluorescent t-shirts have just arrived. Their teenage boy has spotted our camera. He appears to be looking at his shirt...how quickly he turns away. Shy young fellow. I silently cringed for him, then felt guilty for my little game. Who am I to jest when this is what most of us want? What seemingly Oklahoma City attracts and has attracted, people who want to settle down to start a home, a family.

Round Barn