J. Alan Hamill's Photographic Biography.

Behold! The story of my childhood has been unveiled. The following gallery includes a layout of my childhood as told through the schools I attended and the houses I've lived in.



I'd like to continue this vanity project by taking a trip to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Then, I'd have to head up to Boston, Massachusetts. Perhaps, I'll work locally first, and photograph the places I've lived, studied and worked in New York City, New York.

This upcoming weekend I'll be heading to Cleveland, Ohio to shoot a bird watching group. While by now it should be apparent that I love American cultural events I hope to take more everyday things and make them tell the story of living in this country.

I know I promised Obama and I swear that he is coming soon!

Food Connoisseurs still use Welch's Juice in their Cocktails.

Here is a nice tidbit from December 2008. I went to a cocktail party that was sponsored by Welch. Now I was always under the impression that only super, uber, expensive things (like flakes of gold) could be used in a drink meant for New York's food crowd. Guess I was wrong.



As always click the images for a full gallery. New update coming soon. The next one will be Obama pictures.

Thanksgiving in Phoenix, Arizona.

As always I am very late with my photographic workflow. Life has just been forever chaotic since I finished my MFA degree at the School of Visual Arts in May of 2008. In regards to my professional uncertainty, at least I see the end in sight. I have almost completed my MA in English Education from CUNY Brooklyn College. Once that is over I'll be a full-time teacher with plenty of time to catch up and work through all of my artwork.



These photos were taken around Thanksgiving, 2008. I was visiting my Uncle Eric and Aunt Anne for the holiday. While I didn't do too much sightseeing I did try to make some images. I think the captions that go along with my work explain the thought behind the snap, but mostly these were just fun photos.



More news! I am going to be in an upcoming group show at Hiding Gallery. The show will be combined with a party on the night of January 29th, 2009. Theme-wise, this show is drastically more open than the last one I participated in. The write up for the show describes it in the following manner, "The title NO HANDS is subject to definition by the risks surrounding us, the risks we take and everyday encounters. Using the format and medium of photography, NO HANDS is open for a broad range of interpretation." All of the nitty-gritty facts on the show, including directions, artists and volunteering information can be found here.



The curator, Joe Jagos, is a good friend of mine. I want everyone to know that he has put a lot of hard work into the success of this show and of his gallery. I really respect people like Joe because he is attempting to build this gallery from the ground up. A lot of people talk about doing great things but never make the attempt at doing anything. Those of us that live in New York are slightly different because many of us moved to the city in order to accomplish something. None of us have much money, or are successful art stars but Joe is spending his free time physically building the gallery's walls, organizing his friend's artworks together into a cohesive show, promoting the event to ensure people attend and on top of all that, throwing a kick ass party. I hope to see everyone there.

Until my next update...

Newsweek holds a party for American Lion.

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. Last time I attempted to update I fell victim to a vicious attack of censorship. But we shall not speak of such things. I just want to move on.

These pictures are from an event I shot over a year ago! Unfortunately I have a serious backlog of pictures and with each post I say that I am going to attempt to pick up the pace with my editing. This time is no different. I sincerely want to move forward because I have been shooting some extremely fun and exciting new projects. These pictures are from a book release party for American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Jon Meacham, editor of Newsweek, won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography with this book. I have not been able to read it because of all my other obligations as an English teacher. However, I would like to get a chance to pick it up. The New York Times loved the book. I've included a review of it above. I also want to add that if Mr. Meacham or anyone from Newsweek reads my lowly blog please do not censor me. When giant media companies become scared of a high school English teacher's blog, I feel like I've entered the twilight zone. And I don't mean the movie with all those model-esq vampires.



Brian Williams from NBC's Nightly News was also at the party. I had to do my paparazzi impression and grab some images of him. This is the closest I will ever come to experiencing Anchor Man. By the way, clicking here or on any of the above pictures will take you to the whole gallery of images that I have uploaded.

I know that my work needs to move beyond just having rich people making funny faces at the camera. These images prove that to me. I do think that these pictures are important and perhaps one or two of them deserve a place alongside a larger project like American Pastimes. But alone, these just do not cut it. I have also heard that I need to get closer to my subjects. I'm not sure that is the problem. I'm more convinced that I need a better context with which to place the images. Another way of saying it is that I need a larger idea.

I hope that some of the newer work I have shot will address that. I've been traveling with Matt Baum in search of pictures. Some of the work from those trips I feel will address this issue. I just need to catch up enough with my editing to begin to work with it.

Last but not least, I will be in an upcoming group show called No Hands. It will be at Hiding Gallery. More information about submission to the show can be found here.

Miles From Home

I would officially like to welcome all of my blog readers to the upcoming group show Miles From Home. This show is the first in an upcoming collective involving SVA Alumni. Personally I am very excited and proud to be a part of this fine group of art-makers.

The official press release is as follows,

"In the group show Miles From Home, twelve artists explore the fragmentary and shifting nature of the world around them in correlation to their own development as a newly established collective of creative individuals. The typical notion of 'home' is one of safety and stability; but 'home', particularly now, is subjective, constantly changing, and often based on illusory memories.

Within this realm of uncertainty, these artists utilize the photographic medium to explore the roles that risk play in their lives and work. An artist coming into their own at any time faces the unknown, gazes into the void, and takes a risk by plunging in, by making work, by not giving into society's obvious structures, and by creating their own community within which to create, inspire, and take chances. As the models around us undergo a series of great shifts— in the economy, in the art market, in technology, in distribution modes, in communication itself—these artists see themselves presented with opportunity.

This collection of work does not try to provide answers, or to prophesy the future. Rather, these artists are building their own maps, creating their own pathways through the world and their work, and seeking the roads that will move them forward. They are taking hold of an unpredictable future with a firmer grasp, this show being the first result of their collective strength and inspiration."

The show will be open until September 20th, however only on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to meet me in person and speak with me I will be at the opening on Saturday, September 5th from 2-5pm and I'll be gallery sitting on Sunday, September 20th from 12 to 6pm.

I would love to meet other artist and I also hope I get to make some new friends.
Cya at the show!

Frank Cisneros takes me to a wine tasting.

My favorite sommelier (yes I had to look up the spelling) took me to a wine buyers tasting in Central Park. The way I saw it my favorite part was taking pictures of all the people attending. When it comes down to attending recreational activities everyone seems equally engaged. I think that is apparent when viewing these photos against my previous NASCAR images or any other images from my collection.



I've started the National Park Service project. I've been shooting it all month and will have images up from some of these first shoots up on this site shortly.

I'd like to also mention that a show I will be exhibiting in will be opening this Saturday, September 5th. The website to check that work out is www.milesfromhome.us.

NASCAR at Richmond International Raceway.

Here is a gallery of photographs from the NASCAR Sprint Cup in Richmond, VA 2008. Jimmie Johnson was the winner. Why do NASCAR drivers all have names like that? Jimmie Johnson...doesn't sound like much of a way to broaden the demographic of people who watch the race. But as these pictures show, it's business as usual there. That isn't to say it isn't fun. These people totally know how to party. In fact they arrive at the track, bright and early, around sunrise in order to secure a parking spot, crack open some beers, and get the festivities rolling.

This following picture pretty much sums up the political feelings of the people at the races. I bet the guy that took his gun to protest reform at the President Obama's Health Care Town Hall Meeting in New Hampshire on Aug 12, 2009, is a fan of NASCAR.


All politicking aside, I did enjoy myself at the event and taking pictures of the party and event was much more open to photographers than many other sporting events I have covered. The important thing to remember is that everyone has feelings and desires regardless of what stereotypes we choose to associate with them.


In other news I know these photographs are a year old. I'm making a push to get caught up with my work. Leaving the newspaper industry last year was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I loved doing it everyday but the financial realities are simple. It was unsustainable. Therefore I was put into a picture taking funk for about a year. Clearly I've been shooting again and now I'm ready to begin posting that work. FYI I am also enjoying my new career track in secondary school teaching.

Alright, well that about wraps this up. I do have a show coming out soon. I will be posting about it in the near future.