Northport Rural Cemetery

For most, the idea of walking through a cemetery comes off as creepy. The thought of the dead being just a few feet below the ground is enough to make anyone turn the other way. However, when it comes to a cemetery where a loved one is buried, the feeling is entirely different. It brings a feeling of sadness that this person has departed from the world, however it also brings a sense of peace to those who long for some reminder of their loved one. But as time goes on, the connection with the deceased's grave becomes less and less important to a person and eventually is forgotten altogether. I was intrigued by this thought while visiting my own grandfather's grave. There are so many headstones in this cemetery that appear to be part of the landscape. They do not feel like they mark any final resting place for a person, but rather are equivalent to lawn ornamentation. I wanted to capture these long forgotten graves and show them in a new light. The lighting in these photographs represent the spiritual presence of the departed that lingers around the cemetery. It is not a creepy place, but a beautiful and romantic one.

...Where Your Child Is the Star

My goal for this final project was to bring everyone into the world of dance whether or not they have experienced it for themselves before. Dance is great passion of mine and to be able to capture a place I love and share it with others was really special to me. I wanted to show that dance is more than just the tall, thin, stern ballerinas that are stereotypically depicted in film, television, as well as fine art. Dancers come in all shapes and sizes, and it truly brings people together. Dance is a common ground for all those there to form friendships, have fun, and let their talents thrive. For the dancers at my studio, it becomes almost like a second home where you can be yourself and shine because there, everyone is a star.

New Jersey's Smithsonian

Ever since I was young I have been fascinated by roadside attractions that are quirky and out of the ordinary, and that is exactly what Space Farms Zoo & Museum is. I first stumbled upon Space Farms with my father on a random road trip. I was immediately drawn to the overall strangeness of the place. Within the twelve acres of land there are over fifty species of wild animals from all over the world and collections of everything from dolls to old farm equipment. When I set out to document this strange yet wonderful place my goal was to put the viewer in the shoes of a patron. I wanted them to see for themselves the quirkiness of what is New Jersey's Smithsonian.

Little Rascals

There is something fascinating about the threshold of childhood and sense of adolescence that goes along with being a ten or eleven year old boy. Through their actions, they display a desire for mischief, exploration, and exhilaration, while also maintaining a level of innocence and simplicity. This carefree lifestyle and feeling of invincibility is fleeting and far too rare and thus, must be captured while it can be.

I was drawn to this project when I noticed the small community formed by my two brothers and the neighborhood kids in the spring and summer seasons. Everyday was a new adventure for these boys and consisted of various activities - bike riding, baseball, exploring the woods, walking to 7 -11, playing with firecrackers - yet everyday was exactly the same. In an age where the indoors and technology are becoming more important everyday, it was satisfying to see that little boys will still continue to be just that and create simple fun out of whatever is available.

Off/On Season--In/Out of Character

I went into this documentary thinking that I wanted to capture the peace and quiet that's found out on eastern Long Island. While driving, I stumbled upon an off season farm that intrigued me. There's something so simple about this kind of life and this type of living is something I always wonder about because my life is the complete opposite. By comparing the off-season and the on-season, I've come to realize that I actually prefer the off-season, mostly because of the textures, abandoned and desolate feelings that it presents. As much as I'm drawn to those traits as an artist, I couldn't survive without the chaos, which rural life lacks, in my own life. As appealing as the sereneness of a farm is, I'd rather hear the noise of the city and walk down streets filled with people.

Nine-to-Five by Alexa Mulee

I began this project as an adventure to explore different people with various kinds of occupations, however it turned into much more than that in the midst of my shooting. Progressing from location to location, people from all unique walks of life opened up to me, telling me why they have chosen the career they did, and what kind of role it plays in their life. I met some colorful characters, and listened to any array of responses. Tuning in on these responses opened my eyes to the realm of the work force. It not only opened my eyes, but also the eyes of a few people in this series. It got the wheels turning in my head whether some of these people worked to live, or lived to work, and what kind of life that makes for. More so than that, it got me questioning how people ended up in the position they are in now. Was it a life long goal, or was it something one just sort of “fell into.” It is a thought-provoking question that even I have been speculating since the onset of this installment. This project is filled with workers of all kinds, and may have you questioning…”Why do I do what I do?” At the end of the day, we must be smart about picking and choosing a career, because as Confucius said,"if you choose a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life."

“Everything is art to me. It’s cool to be able to love art, and then share it with others who trust you enough to put it on their bodies forever.” -Tattoo Artist

“Ever since I was little I knew this is what I wanted to do. My mom would cook dinner at night and instead of going out to play like the other kids, I would stay in with her and help. Some people are passionate about medicine, or art…food is my passion…food is my art.” –Chef Danny Gagnon

“Its not for everybody, somebody’s gotta do it, and its actually a lot of fun. When things aren’t serious around here, hanging out with the fellas, bullshitting, it’s great. We have a lot of pranks and jokes going on around here. And when things do get serious, its so rewarding at the end of the day to know you helped someone. It sounds corny, but it’s true.” –Fireman Michael Ayalan

“My children are literally a part of me. They were conceived, grew and now grown. The love I have of being a mother is that I always know I have done my part in the world by having the most beautiful, smart, loving children I was fortunate enough to be a part of my life forever. I love being a mother to them because without them, I would never have known true love.” -Mother and wife Elissa Mulee

“I am fuckin’ broke. Its close to school, I need the cash, plus it’s a great way to meet the ladies! Being able to mix drinks is badass too.”

-Bartender Mike

“I do this because I want to keep my country safe. I’m not a fighter, but I am a protector.” –Private S. Ayala

Missed Opportunity

Taking this documentary photography class has made me aware of having access as a photographer to different situations. In many cases, saying that you are a photographer will allow you to gain access to places most people would not, but that is not always the case. I work at Nassau Coliseum as a customer service representative, and a perk of this job is that I am stationed inside the arena when the concerts are on. The event that I had been looking forward to the most since I began working there a year ago was the Roger Waters: the Wall concert, this was the first time I had enough courage and desire to sneak my camera to work, and luckily it paid off. I was stationed close to the stage enough that I could snap decent pictures with a small digital camera.

This luck did not last for me at this job because when I asked my boss to bring my larger, and better quality camera for a documentary project, he told me that I was not allowed to. There are countless events for which I wish that I was allowed a camera, for example, when Taylor Swift sang a song on the stairs of my crowd section; when the circus shot a man on fire across the room; and when Niki Manaj ascended to perform from underneath the stage. The energy of a concert venue of this size interests me immensely, and I wish I could capture different aspects of it, not just the talent but the audience. I get the most upset at a missed picture when I see a moment pass in the audience, like a row of children in matching camp t shirts all dancing together in their seats, or sets of feet hanging over the ledge of the mezzanine level.

Forgetful Never Forgotten

Living with dementia can be difficult for you, your family, and your care givers. When I work with dementia patients I often forget they don't understand, their emotions come from your energy if your tired they are tired too, if your angry or happy they are too. When I decided to shoot the residents I've worked with for a year or two I searched for their personality, and captured my experience with them on a regular basis. There faces and how they hold themselves I feel is an indicator of who they once were. I can walk into the dining room smiling and asking each one of them how they are and although they don't remember my name, maybe not even my face, they act as though they have known me for years. They may be forgetful but they will never be forgotten.


Jenny

Ethel

Marian

Anna

Barbara

Fred

Space Available

Space Available is the representation of the difficulty of businesses, both big and small, to be able to survive in the current economy. It seems to me that every week that goes by, I see another empty storefront while driving around Long Island, and it worries me. While sometimes another business will take its place, sometimes years go by with faded "For Rent" signs and boarded up windows.

Missed the Missed Opportunity

This semester was quite trying and frustrating as the idea of missing an opportunity reared its head on multiple occasions, each one finding a way to become even more heartbreaking. Originally, my missed opportunity was going to be about how I wanted to photograph roadkill and capture the gruesome elegance of within nature, yet I ended up at the last minute going back home to find and photograph roadkill. The project would have been interesting and provocative if it weren't for my misplacement of the box containing all my prints and negatives one night after working in the darkroom and finishing a late shift at work.

While I still consider this to be a missed opportunity, there is another moment from shooting my final project that I missed which always gets me thinking "what if?". Upon exiting the train station and walking to Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, there was a young boy and his father walking up the steps of the subway station to get above ground. The child was full of excitement and energy and he as he ran up the steps, his dad started to "race" him up, and the simple fun the two were having because of baseball was something I wanted to get on film. I got mixed up with getting the right focus, and just as I had focused it, the moment had passed and they had finished climbing the stairs. This image would have been even more poignant when placed next to the image of my friend, John Piazza, holding up the beer in a semi-salute to his recently deceased father.

Roadside Memorials

The idea explored in this series is the roadside memorial that people have constructed for loved ones who died in an automobile accident. There are so many of them around Long Island, even in residential areas. These hauntingly beautiful sites are colourful, big or small, downtrodden from the elements and slowly withering away. These little memorials represent a daughter, a son, a husband, or a mother that someone had lost, and while they may not mean anything in particular to a stranger, somewhere there is someone who remembers that person who died.