Artist: Simon Hoegsberg

From the Series: Faces of New York, Rhoda Lukin, 75, Political Writer ©Simon Hoegsberg

From the Series: The Thought Project, 12/55 ©Simon Hoegsberg

Simon Hoegsberg is an amazing photographer. His portraits from both The Thought Project and Faces of New York are not only thought provoking but also breath taking. His sensitivity to light and focus are amazing and his relationship with his subject matter are absorbing. Both Andy and I are very much inspired by his work.

More of Simon's work can be found at his website: http://www.simonhoegsberg.com/

Artist: Paul Octavious

Chile La Roja © Paul Octavious

from The Faces I met @ Deep Rock Farm © Paul Octavious

Paul Octavious is an excellent photographer and graphic designer. His portraits from the Faces at Deep Rock Farm are straightforward and make the viewer aware of the sensitivity of the interaction between photographer and subject. The shallow DOF is stunning and many of his pieces have wonderfully saturated colors. Both Kaitlynn and I are incredibly inspired by his portraiture work.

More of Paul's work can be found on his site: http://pauloctavious.com/

The Start: New Semester

Laura, Zionsville, Indiana © Andrea Bartley

Mother, Zionsville, Indiana © Andrea Bartley

These images were taken during my winter break when I visited my hometown. I used a 4x5 view camera to take these portraits. The large camera made me slow down my process and the subjects that sat for me took on a more relaxed posture. Practice for the portraits I plan to take for the collaboration.

The Start: New Semester

Nicole, Chicago, Illinois ©Kaitlynn Scannell

Anne, Chicago, Illinois ©Kaitlynn Scannell

As I start off the new semester I began photographing my family. I felt this would help me best because I would be more comfortable with them.