Those of you that have followed Try State, know how much I adore portrait work. To me, a portait is an intimate slice of life, a telling moment.  When done correctly, a portrait captures emotion and the spirit of the person.  This is why the Amish don't like to be photographed, they feel that a photo takes a piece of the soul.  What is more beautiful than seeing a soul?  With that being said, here is a curated collection of one of my favorite contemporary portrait artists, Walt Cessna.  Walt has the unique ability to connect with each one of his models.  You can feel the synergy between them, the trust, the bond.  They are not just pictures for pictures only capture a period of time.  These are portraits.  There is no time wasted in perfect technique.  It is about the connectiveness and reading what is going on in the world.  Some are solomn and some are sexy but all of them are interesting and pervasive.

Walt Cessna is a contributor to Try State Issue Two and Three

you can see more of his work by clicking here

you can order try state magazine issue one and two by clicking here.

issue three coming out october 2010

this fantastic piece is available at try state magazine online store