Welcome
Documentary and Street Photography
I am a social documentary photographer whose work includes people in their homes and people on the streets.
About
American Portraits (in 3D)
In 1977, while living in a married-student apartment complex on the campus of Southern Illinois University, I began my decades-long American Portraits project. After noticing how people configure their environments in ways that reflect their personalities and values, I began documenting my friends and neighbors, shooting them in 3D in ord
In 1977, while living in a married-student apartment complex on the campus of Southern Illinois University, I began my decades-long American Portraits project. After noticing how people configure their environments in ways that reflect their personalities and values, I began documenting my friends and neighbors, shooting them in 3D in order to see if that added dimension would immerse us even further into these environmental portraits. American Portraits has become a visual record of geographic, economic, cultural, and lifestyle choices of the people imaged. What began in southern Illinois has now expanded to include all of my friends and family in the many places I have lived and worked. As my own life has progressed and changed, the project has become a self-portrait by reflection. The people I have befriended and am related to and with whom I have worked and share values are all a part of who I am.
In making these 3D photographs, I ask my collaborators to choose their own settings and to pose in their natural environments. I avoid giving direction because doing so obscures their conscious or subconscious (and often revealing) choices. Some present themselves more formally, some even choose to dress in costume, while others create a dramatic or a chaotic environment. All reveal who they are. As a result, some images are very honest, others are masquerades. My goal is to reveal the personalities of the people I photograph within the unique historical and social milieu they inhabit.
Now in the 49th year of creating American Portraits, I have completed more than 700 environmental 3D portraits and intend to continue this project indefinitely.
Street Images
People have built towns and cities since our earliest history. I have always been fascinated by how people inhabit, interact, and adapt to these environments.
The exploration of of the people and structures within the urban landscape is my pursuit. I am always surprised by the things that occur and how people adapt to economic condition
People have built towns and cities since our earliest history. I have always been fascinated by how people inhabit, interact, and adapt to these environments.
The exploration of of the people and structures within the urban landscape is my pursuit. I am always surprised by the things that occur and how people adapt to economic conditions; cultural expectations; climate, and each other.
The way people use architectural design, color, fashion, branding are all expressions of human emotions, desires, and personalities.
I am continually drawn to scenes that reflect these desires to be noticed. My photos are my way of participating as a viewer in these expressions.
About
In Summary
James Payne is a social documentary photographer based in Los Angeles, California.
He is fascinated by how people interact with the places they inhabit, particularly in their homes and on the streets. He has been capturing images of both for decades.
Payne grew up in the midwestern United States, he was born and raised near Chicago IL. He attended Southern Illinois University where he earned a degree in Cinema and Photography. His work on these topics is ongoing.