Anthropologist Cynthia Browne 3 of 3.
The final photograph taken from this session. Once I say we “have the shot” my subjects generally loosen up a bit. From my experience, those extra credit sessions are fertile ground for something better, something unexpected.

Anthropologist Cynthia Browne 2 of 3.
When I saw the front door to Sever Hall in Harvard, I knew the dark tones and texture would lend itself nicely as a subordinate subject in this photo. Once I have a rough idea of the composition of a location, I drop in my subject and partially direct them while carrying on a conversation. This was taken back when I never thought twice about using tripods with portraits. While my approach has evolved tremendously over the years, there is a certain kind of magic that can happen when I shoot as minimally as possible.

Anthropologist Cynthia Browne 1 of 3.
I had the pleasure to work with Cynthia for an article in Harvard’s Colloquy a while back. She’s very smart, funny and made my job easier than most. After a great conversation about travel and her work, she seemed up for any of my ideas.
When possible, I try to capture my subject in lit indoor and natural light outdoor locations. When first meeting someone I’m about to photograph, I usually know off the bat what kind of environment works best for them based on their composure and personality. All environments we shot in seemed very natural for her. Thanks for stepping in, Cynthia!