• Home
  • Blog
  • People
    • People
    • Still Life
    • Old Dolls
    • Civil War Sites
    • Denmark
    • Brushy Mountain State Pen
    • Central State Hospital - Milledgeville, GA
    • Chattanooga, TN area
    • Smoky Mountains
    • Pacific Northwest
    • Travel and Landscape Prints
    • Dark Art Prints
    • Moody Places Prints
    • Rates
    • A Little About Me
    • Events
  • Contact
Menu

TRD Photography

  • Home
  • Blog
  • People
  • Dark Art
    • People
    • Still Life
    • Old Dolls
  • Places
    • Civil War Sites
    • Denmark
    • Brushy Mountain State Pen
    • Central State Hospital - Milledgeville, GA
    • Chattanooga, TN area
    • Smoky Mountains
    • Pacific Northwest
  • Prints
    • Travel and Landscape Prints
    • Dark Art Prints
    • Moody Places Prints
  • Info
    • Rates
    • A Little About Me
    • Events
  • Contact
×

Native American Portraits - The Series - Amanda Starr - TRD Photography

Native American Portraits - The Series - Amanda Starr

Ricky Davis January 2, 2018

Native American Portraits - The Series - Amanda Starr

This past year I got to go to Mt. Juliet Pow Wow and do some photographs with some of the dancers for this Native American Portrait Series. I'm still working on connecting with everyone that I photographed that day for their interviews, but recently I got to chat with Amanda a little bit about her story. I hope that you enjoy it.

Ricky - What is your nation?

Amanda - My mother's family is Eastern band Cherokee and my father's is Western band Cherokee.

Ricky - That's really cool! What is the the dynamic between the Eastern & Western bands? I've heard various stories. Is there still tension somewhat or not so much?

Amanda - You mean like the difference between them?

Ricky - Like the inter-band relationship. I've heard some people tell me that some of the Western band has been somewhat upset at Eastern band because of the removal and the Eastern band stayed. I've only heard a few people say that and I was curious.

Amanda - I honestly don't really know. I have heard that in the past the 2 bands did not get along for various reasons.

True be told I'm only in the last few years been able to start really learning about the Cherokee culture. It's been hard because a lot of people look at me and question if I have the right to be there.

My parents weren't raised native so I have had to fight really hard to learn what I know and earn my place in Native society.

Ricky - I can understand that. I've heard that story a lot from Native people who have been kind of lost out in society and are being called back and trying to learn. The important thing is you're out there trying to learn and do it respectfully. When did you become interested in your heritage?

Amanda - I was a little kid about 10 I think and there was a powwow going on in my town so my parents decided to go check it out and I feel in love and wanted to learn how to dance too. So my dad started talking to some of the people that were apart of the powwow and the rest is history.

Ricky - That is awesome! So you started dancing soon after? At that point, your parents weren't really part of the community in your town? What changed after that Pow Wow?

Amanda - Yeah the following year I started dancing. Unfortunately there's not really a native community were I lived just a few people here and there. We became good friends with a couple of people that were close by and by the time I was about 13 I was traveling around to powwows with them. My parents really couldn't afford to travel so going with friends was the only way i could go to powwows with the exceptions of the few that were close by.

Native American Portraits - The Series - Amanda Starr

Ricky - That's awesome that it meant that much to you at that age to become so heavily involved. When did you start learning more about your culture beyond the dancing and trying to become more a part of the Native Community?

Amanda - Once I staring getting to know people I started asking questions trying to learn as much as possible but I was an adult before I started getting really involved in the community and more traditional aspects of the culture.

Ricky - That's cool. What inspired you to go deeper in learning?

Amanda - Because it's a part of who I am and I truly believe you have to know where you came from to get to where you're going.

Ricky - I agree! How is it being a parent and bringing your son up knowing being involved in the culture?

Amanda - It's great! I also have a daughter that is almost 20 years old. It's amazing to be able to watch them learning and grow with knowledge of their culture more so than I got to. For my son who has high functioning Autism, real ADHD, and sensory deficit so I think being involved in powwows helped him tremendously with his social skills and to over come some barriers that he otherwise would not have been able to do.

Ricky - That is really cool! And dang dude, I would not have guessed you have a 20 yr old daughter. I know your son dances, does your daughter?

Amanda - She did up until 2 years ago when she started working her job really wouldn't let her have weekends off to powwow, but she has decided she wants to come back and dance again. So I'm going to be making her a couple of new dresses and new beadwork for her to come back in. So maybe sometime next year.

Ricky - That's so cool that you guys dance as a family. What does dancing mean to you?

Amanda - It means the world to me, it's a part of who I am. It makes me feel good to dance because I'm carrying on a tradition and helping to insure that it stays alive.

Ricky - What is it like being Native and living in our society these days?

Amanda - It can be hard because the people I'm around on a daily basses aren't Native and have no idea about it. So I have to listen to ridiculous questions and comments. I sometimes even feel out of place. On the flip side I've been able to teach people what it really means to be Native. The truth of what our ancestors went through and our people still go through. It has it's good days and bad one.

Ricky - That's awesome that you've been able to really help bridge the gap a little bit and help teach. What is some thing you wish more people knew about being Native in this day and age?

Amanda - That we're real people and we're still fighting some of the same battles that we've been fighting since Europeans arrived and it's time to stop.

Ricky - Amen! Very well said! So much of what's happening today is still being so quiet and not talked about. I want to thank you for taking the time to do this. One last question. What can people do to learn more and see what is going on today and help First Nations people in their fight?

Amanda - Take the time to ask questions and actually listen to the answers. Pass the information along to others don't just pretend it's not happening. Stop cultural appropriation.

You very welcome I enjoyed doing it.

Tags native american, Native American Portraits, Cherokee, Chattanooga Portrait Photographer, chattanooga portrait photographer, chattanooga photographer, chattanooga, Portraiture, portrait series, portraits, TRD Photography, trd photography, ricky davis, Native American life, photographer ricky davis, first nations, pow wow
Comment

Model Kendra Sumpter - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography

Some Personal Highlights of 2017....

Ricky Davis January 1, 2018

Some Personal Highlights of 2017

Another year has come to a close. 2017 was an interesting year. Personally I met a lot of new people and made some great new friends. It was also a time where I did some experimenting, and explored some new styles. Some of you guys know that back in 2015 I started learning to shoot film, and this year I did a lot more with analog. 

Allie - Kodak Tri X Film - TRD Photography 

Allie - 

I've known Allie for a good while. We used to do a lot of magazine work together back in 2012-2015. I hadn't gotten to see her since 2015 but I was gonna be in Nashville. I hit her up and was like you wanna shoot some film? We spent the afternoon hanging out listening to records and talking about directions. I didn't realize she had quit shooting and dropped her modeling name. We both really wanted to explore just doing a lot more raw/emotional work that stems from just hanging out and seeing what happens. That afternoon's work was insane and we've been working on a special project based around this style ever since. 

Holly - Kodak Tri X Film - TRD Photography 

Holly

I met Holly late last year but this past year, Holly has become one of my best friends. We've gotten to work together on a lot of photo projects. It's been an amazing ride so far. 

Teah - Native American Portrait Series - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Native American Portrait Series

This year has been amazing getting to work further on the Native American Portrait Series. I began the project late in 2016 but I got to do several new profiles this year and I'm excited that my final shoot of this year was an amazing session for this series that I'll be revealing soon. I actually have three interviews that will be coming out soon. 

Candice - Polaroid I-Type - OneStep2 - TRD Photography 

Polaroids

I started playing around with Impossible film back in 2015, but at the price, and the quality being pretty inconsistent I only shot it rarely. This year I played around with some newer Impossible film and it was night and day difference. I finished up the year by picking up at Polaroid OneStep 2 to go along with my SX-70 and 600, and I look forward to exploring Polaroid work a lot more in 2018. 

Of Women & Monsters - R.B. Davis 

Of Women & Monsters - R.B. Davis

One of the things I'm stoked about is I released my second book of poetry this year. It's a collection of darker themed poetry and so far it's been pretty well received. My good friend, Bex Bella is on the cover. If you're interested, my book is available here on my website for 14.95

 

Below are a few more of my favorite photos from 2017. Hope you enjoy it....

Avery Blansit  - TRD Photography 

Bex Bella - TRD Photography 

Candice Mariee - TRD Photography 

CeCe Sinclair - TRD Photography 

Daisy Mae - TRD Photography 

Jessika Rockett - TRD Photography 

Kendra Sumpter - TRD Photography 

Lauren Dunham - TRD Photography 

Luna Cera - TRD Photography 

Lauren Dunham - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Allie - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Amanda Pocalypse - TRD Photography - Kodak Tri X 

Brittney Berlin - TRD Photography - Kodak Tri X 

Cali Cheyenne - TRD Photography - Kodak Tri X 

Emily Northrip - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Daisy Mae - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Mischa Anne - Kodak Portra 400 - TRD Photography 

Michaela Christine Miller - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Nina Covington - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography 

Tags TRD photography, ricky davis, photography blog, photographer ricky davis, chattanooga photography blog, chattanooga photographer, chattanooga, 2017
Comment

Oregon Coast - 2015 - TRD Photography 

Life Happens in Shades of Gray....

Ricky Davis July 26, 2017

Life Happens in Shades of Gray

The other day I was having a conversation with someone and we were discussing how different backgrounds affect each of us and the perception of the events taking place in our country. The statement was made "I believe in facts." It is true that there are indisputable facts in our world. There are some things that are black and white, that arguing away will not change. However there is so much in life that is gray. 

I am a huge fan of b&w photography, as I'm sure you've probably been able to tell over the years. If you take a b&w photograph and strip it to where it is solely black and white, it's pretty ugly. A great b&w photograph is made in the shades of gray that fill in the details between the two spaces. 

In life, each of our lives and viewpoints is shaped by our experiences, backgrounds, and the choices that we've made. If you grew up in the South, you've probably grown up with a different view than someone on the West Coast. If you grew up poor, you've had different life experiences than say someone born into wealth. Each of our lives are shades of gray. The only way we can make a true work of art is by realizing we are a piece of a larger puzzle and we're meant to come together into this epic photo. 

Tags b&w photography, photography blog, TRD Photography, trd photography, chattanooga photographer, chattanooga, tennessee
Comment

Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia - TRD Photography

Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia - TRD Photography

Ricky Davis March 20, 2017

Beauty Redefined Series - Alicia - 

"I grew up with the ideals of being skinny is good, fat is bad. You had to be skinny to get ahead in life. You had to look like the girls that flaunted their stuff on the catwalk and wear expensive, beautiful garments: virtually "perfect". All the time growing up, it was constant in my mind because of the persistent sight of these women in fashion. Girls at school would be made fun of if they were fat. Of course, wanting to fit into the "perfect" society I had those thoughts of "I must be fat" when my body was perfectly fine. Now a days; I am getting skinny shamed. "Girl eat something!" "What are you a size 0, you look like you don't have an inch of fat on you!" Being "skinny" is now becoming bad too. Women are living in a double standard world of you can't be too fat or too skinny otherwise you will be criticized for that. For that I have come to not like the word skinny for that reason.

In a world that is constantly chasing perfection, I feel so imperfect to those standards that it hurts:I just didn't feel beautiful when I chased it myself. When I know that I am not what they want me to be. I know that I personally have seen that I am not like everyone else. I am my own person, which people don't get to see because they are so misguided by their want to be like what society has imprinted on our minds. I feel like we weren't taught to be individuals, Instead we were taught to try and fit a mold of society. 

Outside of society's beauty, I have come to love a different part. My uniqueness of my own face and skin which is scarred from the psoriasis and acne that have plagued me through my life. I have a healthy body that holds cellulite and muscle. Which looks to be "skinny". I can say that I feel beautiful in my own skin because I see the beauty of my unique body." 

Alicia 

Tags beauty redefined, beauty, photo series, photographer ricky davis, photographic series, photography blog, TRD Photography, film photography, black and white photography, chattanooga
Comment

Tattoo Artist - Jennifer Edge - Hair/Makeup - Shae Luke - TRD Photography

Story Behind the Photo - The First Equality Shot....

Ricky Davis March 17, 2017

Story Behind the Photo - The First Equality Shot.

Quite a few years ago, on a blog far away, I started sharing some of the stories and memories that I had behind some of my photos. Many of my photos don't really have a story other than we thought "hey, this might look cool." Others have more of a memory than a story. After spending some time going through old stuff, I've decided to start blogging some about ones that stick out to me. This photo is one that had a bit of a story and really sparked a series that kinda grew into a life of it's own.

2013 was a very odd year for me. The first half of the year I was preparing for a move to Portland, Oregon. The people in Chattanooga were amazingly supportive and one of the people that I grew very close to during that time is Tattoo Artist Jennifer Edge. We became friends from a shoot that I did for Triple 7 and then I did some promo work for her personally as well. We hit it off and she just is an incredible creative visionary.

In 2013, the background of this idea was that the movement for equality was reaching a fever pitch. Everywhere you turned there were posts, as well as many people had the equality symbol for profile pictures. There was a lot of hate on social media about it. People taking a stand, and others just saying extremely hateful rhetoric. My view was always that I stand for equality and I don't believe the government should create laws based off religious views. If we allow the government to create laws based off of certain religious views, then we open them up to create more laws on different religious views and at some point they'll get around to coming after us all. But I digress....

After moving to Portland, I kept in touch with Jennifer and she was busy with building Main Line Ink. They were opening to their own tattoo shop here in Chattanooga. I was scheduled to come back to Chattanooga for two weeks to shoot a wedding for a friend and while I was back they had asked me to do an art show at the grand opening of Main Line Ink. I was beyond thrilled.

I've always enjoyed doing work that makes people think. Work that might make some uncomfortable. I was browsing magazines at a bookstore in Portland and I flipped the page and I saw a photograph of Angelina Jolie. She had a big red X on her lips. Immediately an idea popped in my head and I knew I wanted to do the photograph with Edge.

When I got back to Chattanooga, I was scheduled to do a big photoshoot for promos for Main Line Ink, and after the crowd had died down that evening, hairstylist Shae Luke came in and did Edge's hair/makeup. The shot turned out perfectly. We waited to do the big reveal of the photo until the art show at the grand opening.

The response to the photo was insane. I was shocked and then more and more people were sending messages to us about it. People wanted to be photographed for it. More people than I could ever think of creative ideas for wanted to be part of the series. They wanted to show their support for equality. It's one of the photos that I feel was way bigger than me or even Jennifer. It sparked something that resonated with people and made them feel something. That's one of the best feelings in the world to be able to have contributed to something that makes people think and feel.

Tags equality, equality series, jennifer edge, main line ink, photography, photographic series, photo series, TRD Photography, 2013, story behind the photo, chattanooga, chattanooga equality
Comment

TRD Photography - Film - self portrait

Minolta XG1 Find and Test.....

Ricky Davis July 27, 2016

Minolta XG1 Find and Test Roll

So last summer when I first started to learn to work with film, I had picked up a Minolta XG1 off of ebay. It came in, in horrible condition and literally fell apart after three rolls of film. The sad thing was, the photos I took with it were really awesome. So I've had an eye out for one at a decent price ever since. Last week I found one at a local yard sale for twenty bucks. It appeared to be in great condition, so I picked it up. So far I've tested one roll of film so far over several modeling sets.

Minolta XG 1 - Kodak Tri X - Tattoo Artist - Jennifer Edge - Main Line Ink - TRD Photography

The first tests were with my pal, Jennifer Edge. She's a tattoo artist at Main Line Ink in Chattanooga. I had a portrait session lined up with Jennifer but we threw in a few fun shots on the XG1. With my style of work, I like to have a good time with it. Jennifer gets my irreverent side. ;) As far as the camera, it's been awhile since I've worked with a manual focusing camera and several of her shots came out really blurry. Kind of the consequences when you have bad eye sight.

Model - Josey McGill - Minolta XG1 - Kodak Tri X - TRD Photography

This second lady is Josey. I was attending a shootout this past weekend with the plan of trying out the Minolta as well as a new (to me) Canon EOS 1N. My first shoot of the day had been rescheduled but I wanted to make sure my new gear was in working order, so Josey came early and let me try it out on her. Again, in the studio lighting, the XG1 was a little soft of focus, but that very well could be nailing down my settings. Josey's set did turn out abit more crisp as I'd had time to get back in the groove a little bit.

Minolta XG1 - Kodak Tri X - Model Avery Blansit - TRD Photography

This third lady is model Avery Blansit. We took this photo at the shootout on Sunday with natural lighting. The Minolta was considerable crisper with the natural lighting, which again, is probably just brushing up on my settings and getting the hang of it again.

I'm super stoked with the camera and I'm excited to continue to adjust to it. I couldn't be happier with the photos I've gotten from it so far. Not too shabby for a yard sale find.

Tags filmisnotdead, film photography, film, analog photography, mino, yard sale find, TRD Photography, ricky davis, photographer ricky davis, chattanooga tn, chattanooga, chattanooga photographer
Comment

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's - TRD Photography - Film - Kodak Tri X

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography

Ricky Davis December 30, 2015

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's - TRD Photography

I don't do a ton of concert photography, actually I think it's been about a year since the last show that I shot, but recently I was asked to do a set for local Blue band Pack of Wolves. I was a little nervous on it because concert photography isn't a specialty of mine, but I was stoked because I actually shot some of the show on film as well. Pack of Wolves is a powerhouse band and I was really stoked to get the honor to shoot them and their new lineup. While I did get some pretty sick shots on film, most of what I'll be sharing from the show I shot with my Canon 6D.

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

Pack of Wolves - Live at Mayo's in Chattanooga - TRD Photography - Canon 6D

I hope you enjoyed the photos. If you'd like me to shoot your show, feel free to shoot me an email at trd@trdphotography.com I'd def like to do more concert work in the future.

Ricky

Tags chattanooga photographer, chattanooga tn, chattanooga, chattanooga concert photography, chattanooga concert, pack of wolves, pack of wolves band, blues band, chattanooga musicians, chattanooga music, chattanooga music photography, TRD Photography, ricky davis, photographer ricky davis, concert photography, live music, chattanooga live music
Comment

The "What Makes You Feel Beautiful?" Series - Leighann W. A TRD Photography Project

"What Makes You Feel Beautiful?" Series - Leighann W. A TRD Photography Project

Ricky Davis December 23, 2015

"What Makes You Feel Beautiful?" The Series - 

"What makes you feel beautiful?" 

Leighann - "What most people see "Beauty" as, is overrated IMO. I'd rather people look at me and be inspired. That's where real beauty comes into play for me. When my nieces and little cousins look up to me and say they want to BE like me, THAT's what I live for. I don't want them to feel you need to be drop dead gorgeous to be somebody. I want them to know that it's being true to yourself that is beautiful. That's what makes me feel "beautiful" is being an inspiration to people who are looking up to me as a role model."

Tags what makes you feel beautiful, series, photographic series, TRD Photography, beauty, beautiful, tattoo, leighann word, Chattanooga Portraiture, chattanooga tattoo photographer, chattanooga
Comment

WWII & Vietnam Veteran - Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey, Air Force - Photo by Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Canon 6D. 

WWII/Vietnam Veteran Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey, Air Force - Photographer Ricky Davis

Ricky Davis August 31, 2015

WWII & Vietnam Veteran - Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey

Meeting Mr. Bailey has been one of the most pleasurable experiences that I have had. This man is so good natured and friendly. His was a very interesting story and actually spans two of America's biggest conflicts as he served not only in World War II, but he also served two tours in Vietnam. 

"I was drafted and took my basic training in Camp Blanding, Florida. About seventeen weeks of intensive training and pretty soon I found myself in Germany. I was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division and that was at the tail end of The Battle of the Bulge. I think I joined up with them in Belgium and then we went into Germany, up on the Roer River. We kinda dug in there and waited for the crossing. It had flooded. I joined as a replacement. Later on, when the situation had normalized, we made that river crossing and headed on into Germany. : 

WWII & Vietnam Veteran - Master Sgt Cletis Bailey - Air Force - Photo by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Canon 6D. 

"Being in infantry, we did a lot of walking. The main activity that I was involved is was there was three of us after we finally took this town. We had lost 8 or 9 men taking that town. It was well defended with German paratroopers. After we had finally crossed the field, there was three of us assigned to go back across that field because we was short of ammunition.  I didn't volunteer for that either. I didn't have a chance to back out. So anyway, we made it but there was a German sniper firing at us all the way over there. You could see the bullets hitting in between us. So one of the guys said I ain't about to go back over there. We'll get killed. But with all the stuff happening over there, tree bursts and mortars we'll surely get killed if we'd stayed over there. So we made it back across the field. But with all the shelling coming in, when we were heading out one of the guys up ahead got decapitated. "

Original Paper from 1945 of the Chattanooga Free Press - Photo by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Canon 6D 

"At the end of the War I was at the Elbe River. I came back to the States in 46, and stayed in the reserves for a little bit. I was working in Chattanooga but all of my friends had gotten out or left, so I decided to get back in the service. I went and got a little better education and then I was able to get in the Air Force. I still keep in contact with two or three guys I served in the 84th with. One of them was talking about when we shared a hole on the river. The Germans were across the river and they'd take shots across the river. They called us 'Roosevelt's Henchmen'. They say 'Roosevelt's Henchmen we're going to annihilate you.' So that was interesting. The was my introduction to German soil. That's where I earned my combat infantry. 

I feel like I really played a small role. We had lost so many men, that's why I was selected as a replacement because we'd lost so many men at the Battle of the Bulge. They are the ones the did it. It was tragic as it was getting close to the end and losing so many men. I loved the old timers. One fella that I had hunkered down with the night before taking one stinking town, he got killed. Another one told his buddy that he had a feeling that he wasn't going to make it. They called him Chief because he was Indian. He got killed taking this town. They told him to just stay back, but he said no. I've been with you this long. He had been with them a real long time. That's the way it happens some times.  " 

Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey - Air Force holding a photo from his younger days. Photo by Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - FIlm - Tmax 100

"In Vietnam, it was a lot different. I didn't have to go on any patrols or anything like that. It was a different story in Vietnam though. I had a desk job, I was in accounting and finance taking care of military pay and travel. I needed some information from personnel next door. I walked over there and was talking to the sergeant and got what I needed. I stepped back outside and a rocket came in and took off the whole end of the building. It killed him. That was pretty close. So you never knew when you were gonna get it over there. Whether you were at a desk or out with the infantry in the field. The rockets were always coming in. But I led kind of a charmed life over there. I'm glad to be here, I'm glad to be anywhere, I enjoy living. " 

Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey - Air Force - Photo by Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Canon 6D. 

To finish talking with Mr. Bailey I asked him "with serving in both World War II and in Vietnam, what was the difference in the way that the soldiers were treated coming back from the war." 

"That was a different story wasn't it? That war just wasn't accepted. So Vietnam Veterans just got the short end of the stick so to speak, they got mistreated. Through no fault of their own, we were just doing our job. It was a lot of politics I think. We lost a lot of men over there. I went to Washington DC and visiting the Memorial. I found Sgt. Dark's name, the fella that got killed, and I made an impression. "

Master Sgt. Cletis Bailey - Air Force - Photo by Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Canon 6D. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time speaking with and listening to Mr. Bailey. He had so much life and zeal about him. He really brought a ray of light into my world and I hope that his story resonates with you and touches you as well. 

If you know any World War II Veterans, Korean Veterans, or Vietnam Veterans, I would love to include them in my project and share their story. Please email me at trd@trdphotography.com 

Tags World War 2, World War II, WWII Veterans, WWII Vet Portrait, WWII, Veteran Portraits, vietnam veteran, vietnam vet, Vietnam War, Military Portraits, Military Portraiture, Portraiture, Chattanooga Portrait, chattanooga, chattanooga tn, chattanooga photographer, Chattanooga Portraiture, Chattanooga Portrait Photographer, TRD Photography, ricky davis, photographer ricky davis
Comment

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Expired Kodak T-Max100 Film -

WWII Veteran Photographic Series - Pvt. Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis

Ricky Davis August 12, 2015

WWII Veteran Photographic Series - Private Ralph Davis

Before I begin to share my experience with Mr. Davis, I’d like to share my inspiration for doing this portrait series. I have long been interested in military history, particularly Vietnam and World War II. As I’ve watched current events unfolding before our eyes, I feel that it is imperative that we chronicle and preserve the history of those in “The Greatest Generation” because we are losing a lot as a country and forgetting what has made us great. If we let these heroes that fought for our freedom pass on without learning the lessons that they can teach us, who knows if we will ever find our way back as a country. That is my ultimate goal with this series.

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis - Photo taken with Canon 6D.

I had ultimately planned to begin this project when I returned home from Oregon but upon arriving I found out that my mother-in-law knew two local World War II Veterans living here in the area. I got to meet Mr. Davis, no relation to me, on Wednesday evening. When I was first told about Ralph, I was told that he doesn’t remember very much about the war because he is suffering from dementia a little bit. Upon getting to sit down and visit with him I was honored to talk about life, and a little more about the war than he had spoken about in the last thirty years.

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Expired Kodak T-Max100 Film

Ralph enlisted in the Army soon after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to infantry and was an artilleryman in Germany. I asked him when he arrived in Germany but he didn’t remember. He mentioned that he was in a few battles but not that many. He said ” I was scared. You didn’t know what was going to happen. But times are worse now than they were before. There’s no telling what’s going to happen.”

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Shot taken with Canon 6D.

One thing that was really important to Ralph, was that even in the height of the war, with the Army giving out cigarettes to all the soldiers, he never smoked or drank. He said ” I didn’t even drink coffee. It was way too bitter.”

When I asked Ralph about where he was at when the war ended, he said he was in Otterberg, Germany. He told me that memories of the war were hard, that there was so many things that happened that he just wanted to forget. From talking to family members, they said he never really talked about the war that much.

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt. Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Shot taken with Canon 6D.

In conclusion with this this first blog in my World War II series, I really think I learned a lot with this first session and interview. In a lot of the books that I’ve read, and the documentaries that I’ve seen, and even letters I have received, most of the servicemen have wanted their stories known. But there are different faces, different stories, and different viewpoints, even among those that lived through those times. Some came home and dealt with their experiences by sharing, and some dealt with their experiences by trying to forget. Everybody is different and there’s no telling how we would react in those circumstances. One thing that is absolutely certain, when freedom was on the line, and our Country called, these men answered the bell. Thank you for reading, and thank you to the veterans that have helped to make our country what it was, what it is, and what it will become.

WWII Artilleryman - Pvt. Ralph Davis - Photographer Ricky Davis of TRD Photography - Shot taken with Canon 6D.

P.S.

I wanted to say a couple of more words. Originally I posted this blog on Wordpress site while I was still on vacation in Oregon. I photographed Ralph using both my Canon 6D and also I shot some expired Kodak T-Max film. Since I posted the original blog while on vacation, my film wasn't back yet, so I added some film shots of Ralph here, mixed in with the digital photos. Each one is marked. I really hope you enjoy his story, and the photos. Stay tuned for more in this series to come.

 

Tags WWII Veterans, Military Portraits, Veteran Portraits, WWII Vet Portrait, Portraiture, Chattanooga Portrait, Chattanooga Portrait Photographer, Chattanooga Portraiture, Military Portraiture, World War II, World War II Veteran, American Hero, film, filmisnotdead, 35mmfilm, TRD Photography, ricky davis, chattanooga, chattanooga tn, chattanooga photographer, cleveland tn, cleveland photographer
Comment

Model - Liz Price - Photo by TRD Photography 

Abandoned Places - Oh My! TRD Photography & Liz Price

Ricky Davis June 10, 2015

Abandoned Places - 

Recently I had the opportunity to work with a killer model that I hadn't seen in quite a few years. She was getting ready to leave for Italy but reached out to me because of this insane location. It was such a pleasure to reconnect and make some killer work with Liz in this amazing location. 

Model - Liz Price - Photo by TRD Photography

What type of abadoned places would you like to visit? Are you interested more for thrill seeking or the history? I personally don't shoot in as many abandoned type locations as I would like. I love the atmosphere and the historical aspect of these places. You can almost feel the life forms around you. I'd love to do more but I try to always get permission beforehand. 

Model - Liz Price - Photo by TRD Photography

Be sure to stay tuned for more from this set! This is just a sampling of what's to come. I'm based in the Chattanooga, TN area and if anyone knows of any locations or would like to book a shoot with me. Feel free to shoot me an email. I'd love to work with you! 

RIcky 

trd@trdphotography.com

Tags urbex, abandoned, art, model, chattanooga, chattanooga modeling photographer, chattanooga photographer, TRD Photography
Comment

Chattanooga Tattoo Convention - TRD Photography

Ricky Davis May 22, 2015

Tattoo Artist  Dietsch of Blackbeard Tattoo - TRD Photography

Chattanooga Tattoo Convention

Today starts the third annual Chattanooga Tattoo Convention at 2pm. Tattoo Artists and Tattoo Enthusiasts will be gathered at the Chattanooga Trade Center and I'm stoked to be a part of it this year. My friends, Tim Harden and Kellie Ruthless have invited me to hang out with them at the Revolution Tattoos booth. The convention has some amazing artists and a lot of cool shows planned. So if you have some time this weekend, come check it out. 

As for me, I'll have prints on hand, many of which have never been in print form before, and I'm offering a huge print sale. 

8x10's are $10 each or 2 for $15. 

11x14's are $20 each or 2 for $30. 

I'll also be booking shoots for June 2014, so come put down a deposit on that shoot you know you've been wanting to do! 

Below are some more photos I took at last years convention.

The Enigma and Syrena Rose - TRD Photography

Tattoo Contest Time - TRD Photography

David Braden doing a hand poked tattoo on Kitty Konniption - TRD Photography

Tattoo Artist Lynn Buckner of Main Line Ink - TRD Photography


Tags tattoo, tattoo photographer, tattoo model, tattooes, chattanooga tattoo photographer, chattanooga tattoo, chattanooga photographer, chattanooga tn, chattanooga, chattanooga tattoo convention, TRD Photography
Comment

Search Posts

 

Featured Posts

Powered by Squarespace