I first came to Portland in 2006 and moved to the city
in 2008. Although I was working on oral history book
projects at that time, I immediately began walking with
my camera in various neighborhoods throughout the
city. This intensified in 2017 after finishing a book on
Studs Terkel. This portfolio includes pictures taken
between 2006 and 2016. Hopefully, I will soon produce
additional editions for each of the following years
leading to this, the year of the pandemic.
My friend, Charles Erickson, equates my street portraits
to Studs Terkel interviews. I’m not sure that they are as
rich as the conversations in Terkel’s books. Hopefully,
the stories of the individuals whose photographs I make
come through in their pictures.
The images included in this book were taken mostly in
downtown Portland. In addition, I took pictures at
various festivals and political events. Finally, my wife
often exclaims that my photographs make Portland
look diverse. And that is the vision I want to share.