This picture came about because I felt compelled to photograph John Perkins after hearing him speak.  Not many people have been through, and seen what he has.  Harassment, imprisonment, beatings, and the murder of his brother by a town marshal in Mississippi.  I mentioned to my wife I would love to photograph him, and she said, “You should go talk to him.”  I figured it couldn’t hurt, so I gave it a shot.  Next thing I knew, I had an appointment to photograph John Perkins.

John and I drove around for a few hours together.  It was part photo shoot, and part tour of the city.  Turns out he had been scheduled for events and lectures his entire trip, and he was excited to get away and relax a bit.  It was quite an experience spending part of a day with John.  I have never met anyone who can naturally start up a meaningful conversation with strangers, but that’s what he did several times.

The portraits from this shoot have led to two commercial assignments, as well as an assignment to photograph John again.  Thank you personal work!

Dr. John Perkins has been an outspoken leader in civil rights, and is also an author, speaker and teacher on issues of racial reconciliation, leadership, and community development.