Every once in a while I’m given a needed reminder of why I love documentary photography outside of creating images.  It’s the experiences I’m blessed with.  We are given this opportunity to glance into a stranger’s life and share an intimate, if not fleeting, moment.  I was reminded of this once again when I traveled to Nashville recently to photograph songwriter Tom Douglas for The Wall Street Journal.  I set off on my journey in the right mindset due to the assignment’s origin.  It was given to me by editor Carrie Levy who I have to recognize as one of the good ones who actually cares about the art of what we do.  These are the kind of editors who put me at ease to do my best work, and perhaps without intending push me to take the shoot as far as possible, even when the whole day is spent almost exclusively in one room. 

When I arrived at the Sony/ATV Music Publishing headquarters in Nashville, I was greeted warmly by the confident yet unassuming Douglas.  He is a man with, as his boss puts it, “Ralph Lauren good looks”, and the kind of guy who literally seems to have a twinkle in his eye when he smiles.  He showed me around the building, introducing me to all with polite Southern etiquette.  I was allowed to sit in while he presented two finished songs to colleagues in a brief meeting.  Afterward we retired to a small writer’s room in an adjacent building, which was an old converted firehouse.  The building had that strange energy that any place seems to take on which serves as a hub for creatives.   

Tom kicked his cowboy boots up on the table as we chatted about his life and how he came to be a country songwriter who frequently tops the charts.  As we talked I tried to understand what my draw was to a man I had just met until it hit me.  From the way he spoke to way he relates to people, and right down to his gait – it’s all genuine, nothing manufactured.  I find those who are truly genuine and authentic to be incredibly refreshing and often some of the most passionate individuals. 

After fellow songwriter Jim McCormick arrived to work on a collaboration with Tom, I was able to see that my assumptions were true.  I was able to witness unbridled passion and raw creativity as the two men took an idea and created a beautiful song right before my eyes as the hours ticked by.  The song was an emotive and soulful tune about the importance of those you love and those who love you.  Later we talked about how we worry about all the details of life and constantly look towards the next accomplishment, rarely taking time to bask in the present.  He reminded me that looking back, all those other things always worked themselves out, and that all that really did matter was family; those we love, and those we allow to love us back.  It was a good reminder.

Music of all kinds has always touched my soul, and I found this to be a rare gift that I can’t imagine many men have the good fortune to see in their life.  It was a fleeting moment to be sure, but not one I will soon forget, and one I’m very thankful to Tom and Jim for sharing with me.

Every once in a while I'm given a needed reminder of why I love documentary photography outside of creating images.  It's the experiences I'm blessed with.  We are given this opportunity to glance into a stranger's life and share an intimate, if not fleeting, moment.  I was reminded of this once again when I ...