Jackie and Giselle

Is This Seat Taken?

Because of how much I have been traveling these last few months for work I came up with an idea to jazz up those long flights... environmental airplane portraits! So I decided I would try take portraits of the people sitting next to me in airplanes. I thought it would be an interesting exercise in personal comfort zones, some how portraying the awkward tension of two strangers sitting hip to hip on a crowded craft hovering hundred of miles above ground (not unlike being squished next to strangers on a crowded subway car underground). The task simple as it may sound, deemed to be trickier than anticipated. People ignore you. They want to sleep. They want to pretend I am not sitting inches away from them holding a camera on my lap. I had to get brave. I started asking when I knew I wouldn't get punched in the face (which would make for a extremely awkward flight). People were receptive. It was quite a bonding experience...but when is stealing part of persons soul not bonding?

Here are some of the first few attempts with more sure to follow.

Kaitlan and Bubba-Salt Lake City, UT-July 7, 2007

Oh those cupcakes. Man I wish I could eat one of those cupcakes right now..and the bounce house for the kids?! I have never seen children at a wedding having more fun. You guys are great. Thanks for letting me be a part of such a memorable wedding.