From the archives: Bull Riding School Student Portraits

Eric Kayne June 26, 2017

I recently took time to reorganize some of my negative archives when I came across some portraits I took at a bull riding school in 2014. I remember my goal was to make a portrait of the students immediately following their first-ever ride on a bull. The students, to my surprise and initial disappointment, looked nonplussed. I wanted to see a modicum of vulnerability in their faces, but instead only saw pictures of teenagers in cowboy clothing. I scrapped the idea and moved on.

A second look this month, at least three years later, revealed there is an underlying tension in the images, for me at least. Whom of us as adolescents couldn't wait to grow up to be the archetype we most admired? In some of these images, I see some who easily slide into the role, and others have a long trail ahead of them.

In case you're interested, the images were shot with a Hasselblad 553ex and Tri-X film. Let me know what you think!

Cheers,

Eric

On Assignment: Science Fair advertisement for Shell Oil

Eric Kayne September 29, 2016

It's taken a while, but I was finally able to get my hands on some tear sheets for an assignment from last year. I really enjoy photographing children (I'm somewhat a big kid myself). Their humor and energy can really bring an image to life. For this shoot, we hired a team that puts on science shows for grade school kids. They brought the colored liquids and dry ice, the kids brought their spirit, and I brought my camera. I hope you enjoy the results as much as I do.

Jennifer Schuett at her home with drawing of man who abducted her in 1990  from her bedroom in Dickinson. He raped her and then slit her throat--so that doctors thought she would never talk again --then left her to bleed to death and die atop a… — Jennifer Schuett at her home with drawing of man who abducted her in 1990 from her bedroom in Dickinson. He raped her and then slit her throat--so that doctors thought she would never talk again --then left her to bleed to death and die atop a fire aunt mount. She was not discoverd for 12 hours. She survived and learned to see her attacker, Dennis Bradford, arrested when his DNA from attacking a woman in Arkansas in 1996 was finally linked to DNA taken from her clothing years ago.

Recent work

Eric Kayne October 19, 2010

Houston firefighters battle a blaze at a complex in the 1300 block of Gears, near the North Freeway and Beltway 8, where a fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m.

Maria Hernandez received her green card after being subject to physical abuse by her husband, who is in jail. She has 4 daughters, one of them has special needs due the domestic violence her mother endured.

Cressandra Thibodeaux of Aurora Picture Show

The 20th Annual Komen Houston Race for the Cure

The 2nd annual Pink & Blue Event: Al Amaanah Eid Celebration, is an Eid celebration for Iraqi, Palestinian and Afghani refugee children.

Adoption, thousands of trees and a war hero

Eric Kayne November 22, 2009

Saturday was a busy day. Check it out!

C. B. Black, 66, a former letter carrier and U. S. Army Sergeant received a purple heart and bronze star Nov. 21, 2009 in Houston at the central branch of the Houston Public Library. Black had lost the medals nearly 40 years ago in a fire at his father's house where his medals were stored.

Rony Kraft hauls away two sweet gum trees as the Trees for Galveston Project gave away 2,000 trees Nov. 21, 2009 in Galveston, TX. The project is helping to replace the 30,000 tree lost from Hurricane Ike. Each resident received two trees per a person. About 500 trees were given away in the first hour.

Volunteer Pat Chianetta, center, holds a sapling as the Trees for Galveston Project gave away 2,000 trees Nov. 21, 2009 in Galveston, TX. The project is helping to replace the 30,000 tree lost from Hurricane Ike. Each resident received two trees per a person. About 500 trees were given away in the first hour.

From left, Shannon Vincent holds Spencer, 1, who he and his wife Heather, holding Sarah, 2, are about to adopt as Galveston county Child Protective Services holds a mass adoption day Nov. 21, 2009 at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX. The Vincent's are swearing in before the short five-minute process takes place. CPS is celebrating National Adoption Month and bringing awareness to the many children in the child welfare system who need and deserve permanent, loving homes. In the greater Houston area, including Galveston County there are more than 1,700 CPS children waiting for an adoptive home. Most of these children are older, part of a sibling group or have special needs. They are in CPS custody due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment by their own biological families.

Shannon Vincent holds Spencer, 1, who he and his wife Heather, are about to adopt.

Donna Venti holds Ruthie Venti, 1, moments after she was adopted by Donna and her husband Stephen.