I just finished a long-term project on a program which pairs adult mentors with children who have parents in jail. It was published over two days and you can see day 1 here and day 2 here. There’s also an audio slideshow here.
There’s always one photo or moment or situation that stands out from all the rest in every project I complete. The most memorable part of this project was the day we went to the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla to photograph the kids visiting their father. The most memorable part of the day were the emotions of the youngsters and the father. It had been four years since they’d been able to hug each other and it showed. You’d have never guessed the dad was a three-strikes offender whose conviction for attempted murder landed him in the pen for life without parole.
Bobby Gatlin consoles his 13-year-old son Adrian during a Dec. 19, 2008 visit to Gatlin at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary where he is serving a life sentence. Though the Adrian and his younger brother Jordan have grown since he last saw them over three years ago, their character hasn't changed, says Gatlin. Adrian "has always been the real emotional one out of the entire family and I was glad that hasn't changed."
First, I’ve got to say I feel blessed the Herald-Republic still believes in the value of long-term projects. We don’t devote as much print space to projects as we used to and now much of the content of each project ends up on our Web site (www.yakimaherald.com) rather than in print. While we don’t have unlimited time to do projects the commitment by management is still there, an unusual move in today’s world of newspaper economics where photographers and reporters are being laid off every day.
I have a love-hate relationship with long-term projects. I love developing a relationship with a subject and being able to explore that person or subject in depth. It’s great to have the opportunity to present readers and viewers with a more in-depth, complete view of a subject instead of our usual quick-hit treatment of a subject. Long-term projects challenge me more, both in my photography and picture editing (and challenges are good).
Bobby Gatlin says goodbye to his sons Jordan Avila, left, and Adrian Gatlin at the end of a visit at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla on Dec. 19, 2008. Gatlin, who's serving a life sentence, says he was nervous about seeing his sons because it's "been over four years since I got to hold them."
I love starting them and I’m always glad when I’m done.
On the other hand, I hate it when months and months of hard work to create compelling images seem to disappear into oblivion with no reader or viewer comments. We usually get more reader comments on a single photo of a cute kid or a scenic or wildlife shot that on any project.
Still, we need to present our readers and viewers with those images and let them look into a subject’s life, much as I have been allowed to do when making the photographs.
As he leaves the visiting area of the Washington State Penitentiary, Adrian Gatlin tearfully looks back at his father Bobby Gatlin who is serving a life sentence at penitentiary. Adrian is comforted by mentor Brian Cox, who took Adrian and his younger brother Jordan to visit Bobby in December, 2008.
I’ve just finished up shooting another long-term project, one that I’ve been pursuing since early September, 2008. I’d share the subject with you but I don’t want to give any other media the story idea before the project is published in the Herald-Republic. I’ll share that project with you when it’s done.
–Gordon King
Picture This | seattletimes.com blog
Just because nobody comments does not mean that they weren’t affected or touched!
Just like that old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words” so are these photos. The story you have told through your photos and of course words speaks to my heart. The pain children have because of their parents actions is so evident.
Thanks for sharing your work, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
I realy apreciate what you do. Sometimes the picture and the story just leave you speachless especially when the story hits you in the heart.
Good Job