Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

I first heard Father Jayson's name the week 4 Oakland Police officers were violently killed last year. He presided over the funeral service, guiding a bewildered city in peaceful morning. It was a joy to meet him last week at one of Oakland's fire stations to discuss his work and set up this portrait shot in front of one of the trucks (which illustrated the hard-working nature of Oakland's public service by coming and going twice during our brief shoot...)

Father Jayson has a jovial warmth and quick access to empathy that many in the East Bay have found comforting in desperate times.

Thank you, Father Jayson!

Painter & Church Planter, David Nyquist

David Nyquist, Painter & Church Planter

More than most, my shoot with David was a collaboration. We both arrived to our location in station wagons, one full of photography gear, on with art. Serious art too, David's metal pieces, created with beefy recycled sheets, are heavy. I was excited to see the depiction of Jesus, the canvas piece shown hanging on the white wall, emerge from David's wagon. I first saw it on a social networking site described as being created as part of a live worship event..

I hoped to capture, with lighting and composition, a feel of radiance.... it would describe David perfectly!

Oakland Christian Hip Hop, Turf Ministries

Oakland's Turf Ministries

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Rob is a joyful presence, and a passionate musician. I enjoyed setting up our shoot and spending time photographing. I wanted to include elements to describe Rob and his music. We used a Hammond B3 to communicate the tradition of gospel music and an outdoor brick wall to add roots of blues and urban music. I used lighting to suggest a blend of stage light and sunlight...

Thanks, Rob!

Terrance Kelly and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Director, Terrance Kelly

This was a really fun shoot. The choir, a rocking well-know group in Oakland, derives its joy, power, and funk from Mr. Kelly, a soulful and passionate leader. We set up to shoot and started with a relatively traditional look. It took very little prompting to get folks grooving out with the choir's pounding quartet of B3, Piano, Bass, and drums effortlessly taking up a beat. They are a powerful group and an undeniable presence in the city. Thanks for the shoot, OIGC!

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Morataya is the lead pastor of a dynamic and international church that stands prominently on High Street in Oakland's Hispanic Fruitvale district. Just a block from International Blvd, the church is a peaceful place in a neighborhood that doesn't rest.

We had a chance to meet in his office before our shoot. He is a wise and soft-spoken leader, graciously uniting a close community of congregants from a half dozen countries. He radiates a calm contentment and draws strength from a life of hard work and the struggles of expatriot life. His matter of fact and deep-reasoned faith was familiar from my time with Christians in Central and South America and stands in contrast to the complicated religions of many in our town. It was a joy to meet him. Thank you, Pastor Pedro!

Rev. Emily Lin, Chinese Community United Methodist Church, Oakland, CA