Peyton Sickles

To countless more adventures, days on the water, and hikes just for a sunset, I Love you more than life! Tell her happy birthday or Smudge will be sad!

someone told us there’d be cake?

Today, I reflect on the death of Andrew Brown Jr. in Elizabeth City. It’s often hard to imagine that it has been five years, but at the same time it sometimes feels as if it’s been even longer. The days and weeks that I spent in Elizabeth city began to significantly reshape the way I approached my work as a visual journalist. While, I always understood that our work held as much weight as it did, it’s much different to become immersed in a community reeling in the aftermath. I also think of my colleagues from near and far on those days, who are still around the country, and some around the world. Still covering the same points of violence and Injustices. Work for @915wunc @npr from 2021.

yooo #artstigators , XL thank you to Durham-based artstigator, visual producer & photojournalist Peyton Sickles @callmesickles , and his NC faves…🔦 🎙️”My community has expanded since I began this work a few years ago. What never ceases to amaze me is all of our collective abilities to hop in an insta DM and kick off a great friendship, particularly with the arts community in NC. I grew up in it with my mom being knee deep in the art world. Weeks and school breaks were spent at @ncartmuseum and @cam_raleigh , when it came around as I got older. While I may have learned the intricacies of technique and their names, my expansion of art know-how is purely human now. No longer do I have to go to a museum to be in awe. I can open my phone at any moment and see my feed, which is so wonderfully crafted, to be essentially all photographers, videographers, DOP’s, CD’s, you name it—the inspiration never ends andthe ideas flow at full speed. And as a vetted visual journalist, my mind is always on, always engaged, and always reacting. My friends and fellow artists are such amazing sources of inspiration, and despite how hard it is to refine this list, here are my top contenders at this moment. I must begin with the queen herself—Kennedi Carter (@internetbby ), for whom I would genuinely not exist if it were’t for her. She was my first champion, and I will always remember that. Cornell Watson, Andrew Kornylak, Raj Bunnag, jay kolsch — who is a new to me artist but has tremendous work, Phillip Teasley, and Isabel Lu, to name a few. The greatest way to support me is by reaching out to collaborate or brainstorm or shoot together. I love seeing what I come up with when working with new and old friends. So please reach out, and let’s chat or get coffee! I’m always available for assignments and assisting. And lastly, thank you for letting me talk about myself here some, but most importantly thank you to all of my friends who my career and life trajectory are the better for, and of course, to my love.” 📸 feat. @cornwhizzle @jaykolsch @jungle_asian_redneck @iisabellu 🕸️ peytonsickles.com 💌 thank you, Peyton, for the honor of sharing your artstigatin’ with #artstigators

yooo #artstigators , this week’s takeover, Durham-based artstigator, visual producer & photojournalist Peyton Sickles (he/him) @callmesickles , finds inspiration from his “desire to know and understand more, learn more and be more present”….🔦 🎙️”A large part of my early career was spent assisting and working with Cornell Watson @cornwhizzle on assignments for WaPo and other publications, and working closely with kennedi carter @internetbby as a film assist/part time tech and second. Having friends with spectacular insight and talent has been a gift, and I’ve always approached it as a proving ground. They trusted my skills and my eye, and my professionalism, and it encouraged me to trust in my ability. I thrive in high pressure environments where my creativity is put to the test. I often come back to a shoot I did for Zeit Campus where, to get what wound up being the primary photo pick from the set of contacts, I laid upside down on a spectators box to look through the viewfinder of a Hasselblad on a 120mm lens (very odd, but would do again) while my subject sat backwards in the bleachers. Clients like this are both the best and the hardest when you’re told “get whatever you think looks best,” because that could mean anything. But we get these opportunities because our art is trusted and respected. As creatives, it’s important to believe in ourselves, and to put value in our craft. SO if they can believe in me, then I absolutely believe in myself, as well. I find inspiration in a lot of things, like books, random posters, street concert signs, or even what I climb outside. A good photo book is always welcome, no different than manga or unique print mediums. What truly inspires me is almost more a compulsion, it’s this nagging voice at the back of my head that always asks “why” and “what” and “how.” The desire to know and understand more, learn more and be more present—that is my largest inspiration.” 📲 @callmesickles 🕸️ peytonsickles.com 💌 thank you, Peyton, for the honor of sharing your artstigatin’ with #artstigators

yooo #artstigators , let’s keep Feb. rollin’ with Durham-based artstigator, visual producer & photojournalist Peyton Sickles (he/him) @callmesickles , whose day job is producing visual content for major brands….🔦 🎙️”What’s up artstigators! My name is Peyton Sickles, and I’m a Durham-based visual producer and photojournalist. I work in both stills and motion, in digital and on film. I’ve spent the better part of the last seven years as a freelancer—working on assignments for NPR, Bloomberg Businessweek, Apple, ESPN, Dwell, and Zeit Campus, to name a few. In my Day Job life, I produce all visual content for a slew of brands that many of you have likely seen, but in my downtime and on the weekends I’m focusing on regaining my stride in both journalism and editorial work, and a new focus for me—documentary work. If I’m not making something, I’m climbing or running. That’s where I do most of my brainstorming.” 📸 #2 of @callmesickles by @hansacho 📲 @callmesickles 🕸️ peytonsickles.com 💌 thank you, Peyton, for the honor of sharing your artstigatin’ with #artstigators

Last night, hundreds of protestors gathered in Downtown Durham to march against ICE; calling on justice for Renee Good and demanding they leave North Carolina. For @915wunc #photojournalism #npr

Cozy lil hotel in the am from London. Leica m2 wit a 50.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh. Leica M2 w 50.

On February 1st, 1960 four teenagers sat down at the Woolworth lunch counter so that others may stand. These four teenagers were the Greensboro four, led by Joseph McNeil, whose service was yesterday at NCAT, his Alma Mater. Major General Joseph McNeil went on to live a long and powerful life, leaving behind a legacy of strength, commitment to justice, and above all else steadfast determination. A giant amongst men being laid to rest this year hits especially hard. Whereas the Reverand Dr. Barber stated yesterday that things are feeling awfully similar as they did in the 60’s. The fight is, unfortunately not over. Rest in power McNeil.

If you ain’t at Dixie Derby wya? @915wunc @npr #photojournalism #npr #dixiederby #raleigh

No Kings Protest in Raleigh, NC for WUNC. #photojournalism #nokings #npr #nikon