Amon Focus

Some shit I was telling my younger cousin looking to make a living doing creative stuff

I was talking to my brother Al Ski, trying to explain one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in photography. It’s something that really came to light while I was interviewing people for New York Said. I told him, “The more I connected with folks through conversation, the better the photos turned out.” And without missing a beat, Al said, “So you were capturing the connection, not the pose.” Bars. Rewind to a rainy day in May, when I met up with my friend Ida. Every few years we link up, walk around the city, she takes a bunch of photos, and we catch up. But on this day, I wasn’t thinking about being photographed. I was just enjoying the convo. We talked about life, photography, and all things creative. And somewhere in that rhythm, without even realizing it, I was being photographed. A few days later, Ida sent me a gallery link. When I opened it, I was like, Damn. I felt seen. Not just in a flattering light or a cool pose, but really seen. Of course, she’s a great photographer. That’s obvious. But what really made those photos hit was the connection. The conversation. Camera fam, don’t forget that. Don’t overlook the power of a good conversation. Sometimes the best thing you can do isn’t to direct or compose, but to talk. To listen. To be present. That’s what helps someone relax into themselves. So you can capture the connection, not the pose, as Brother Al so eloquently put it. Photography by @madebyida Spark by @siralski

Partnering with the New York Public Library A few weeks ago, NYPL invited me to create a three-week intensive on the “Power of Storytelling Through Interviewing” for Advanced English Learners. They gave me an idea of what they were looking for, but I had the creative freedom to design it from scratch. In this class, we practiced English by sharing personal stories, watching short films, and tackling group projects. I even had them create impromptu podcasts by pairing up and interviewing each other using their smartphones’ voice memo apps. Once the classes were completed, I got an email saying the work was well-received by the students and faculty, and I was invited back to do it all again in the spring. Who’s happy? This guy. (thumbs pointing to self) This is a super abridged version of the story. Get the entire story at amonfocus.com.

The SVA i3 Lecture Series has showcased prominent photographers, artists, hardware and software developers, and industry experts for over a decade. Distinguished folks like Janette Beckman, Deborah Willis, and Clay Patrick McBride have all delivered hour-long talks where they shared their work, valuable insights, and experiences in their respective fields. The opportunity to enter that same room and share some of my creative journey was an unforgettable experience. The sheer amount of preparation required to deliver it in the hour allotted changed my perspective on lectures and public speaking forever. Going through old archives, ordering a plug for a hard drive over ten years old, and struggling to retrieve old photos from it was a daunting experience. Over the last two months, I created seven versions of the talk and rehearsed tirelessly, as if auditioning for a coveted role in the next chapter of my life. The hardest part was editing. Deleting slides attached to stories I love to tell felt like a hazing. Killing your darlings is really a thing. It was a grueling process, but it was all worth it because I felt great about the result. As I looked out into the crowd, I saw my family, friends, colleagues, and collaborators, some of whom I've known for over twenty years. They were all leaning in and listening. Feeling the love, I got choked up in the middle of a story. Then, I heard my little sister's voice, "What? You about to cry?" Her teasing comment, delivered across a very quiet room, snapped me out of it and made me laugh; I'm still laughing about it even as I type this. Thank God for my gangsta but supportive little sister. Delilah, I love you. A big shoutout to Julie Grahame; thank you for adding me to your curated list of guest speakers. I am forever grateful. Hold up, one last shoutout to Tom and Marko. I appreciate your patience in answering my many questions and your constructive insight, especially with the early versions of the keynote. If you missed it, no worries. It'll be on both YouTube and Vimeo in about three weeks. Thank you for your continued support. Best, Amon 📸 Event Photography by @videoguy80

“Visual Voices, a special exhibition of photography, collage and interviews by Amon Focus.”

When my Pops is in Town we Build, we Smoke and we Laugh

QGTM

No complaints

Shits been crazy but I ain’t complaining. Grateful af for my days.

Kujichagulia: Self-Determination

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Photo/Video/Audio work has provided some pretty invaluable experiences and relationships. The shit ain’t easy but it sure is fun. 📸 by @tigerhoodnyc