The pandemic and the George Floyd uprisings that happened close to my Minneapolis home created anxiety. That fatigue was compounded by my professional photographic focus on climate change mitigation which created its own existential worry.
The one thing that created consistent relief for me was play. I'm an avid skier and biker and hanging out with friends in the outdoors always alleviated that stress. It inspired me to explore what other outdoor fun was being had. I'd seen players on a local basketball court about a mile from home who always seemed to be having a great time. I began watching games and then gradually asked if I could shoot images of the pick up games. I started giving the players digital copies and prints of the imagery which built an ongoing relationship. I've been shooting there consistently for two summers and am working toward publishing a book. My stylistic choices using heavy shadows, white clouds and intimate heroic angles accurately reflect the emotional depth I've felt during troubled times. Soon this chapter 'Hoopin' will be complete and I'll move on to other pick up sports like inner city skateboarding and women's beach volleyball. I am inspired more by pick up sports than professional sports because they are inclusive and fun is the objective. Everyone is invited to play.
