“Winter’s Tale” was the match that lit the spark. I was working in NYC as a a concierge in a building of tenants who I still adore to this day. It was a cold winter night, and I went out for my nightly walk to Jackie Robinson Park, literally two blocks away. The sight that greeted me was picture perfect, and after snapping the shot I ordered a canvas print. When the print arrived I put it in the corner behind my desk discretely at work for feedback, and one of my tenants bought “Winter’s Tale” within an hour of displaying the canvas. I was shocked, nervous, giddy and a 1,001 other emotions - I hadn’t expected my first sale - I was expecting a few critiques maybe a compliment. “Winter’s Tale” was the match that lit the spark for my love of photography, that my work had value outside of “Likes” and “Thumbs Up” on social media. To this day it is still one of my favorite pieces. I’ll never forget the night I took the shot, nor the night I sold it on canvas.
Be Proud
Once upon a time society reveled in punching down those who were different, or who they didn’t, couldn’t or wouldn’t try to understand. The internet has changed much of that in the last twenty years, some for the worse, but so much more for the better. These two words, “BE PROUD” are spray painted as a random message to strangers on a NYC sidewalk, but for my friend and I that afternoon, it was a clear sign that as men who are black, gay, and have an affinity for boots that this message was meant for us, as well as anyone else who has been made to feel shame, who didn’t quite fit in to society’s norms. Times they be a changing, too slow at times for most and myself, but we will get there. BE PROUD
Pastel Sunset
Working in the Battery Park section of lower Manhattan gave me the opportunity to see a variety of gorgeous sunsets, including this one above the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and the Bowling Green subway station.
Finding the Ordinary in the Extraordinary →
My journey as an artist who likes to takes pictures has been quite the memorable one as I continue to evolve, experiment and push the envelope regarding my creativity. I am also my own worst, and harshest critic, and those days have slowly faded away to be replaced by something considerably different. Though it has taken more time than it should have, I am begun to truly see my work as others do, to have an appreciation for my work and that it not only has value for me, but for others as well. While I am the last to pat myself on the pack and try to be as humble as can be, I am proud of my accomplishments, my work, my potential and exploring new and exciting visions to capture. Thank YOU for being a part of this incredible journey with me…
Sincerely,
Jared Ray Eaton
Empire Taxi
The origins of “Empire Taxi” occurred in June 2013 shortly after I had moved to Manhattan from Jersey City. As happens so often I was out for a walk one evening, glanced to the left and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. There is just something about the majesty of the Empire State Building’s glow, the world famous NYC yellow cabs in the foreground and the long exposure of a passing car that pulls this all together quite nicely.
Marcy Avenue Station
I had originally seen a picture similar to this posted on my Instagram feed, and I immediately knew that I wanted to recreate it in my own vision. It was one of those shots that took some preparation, such as calculating when the sun set that evening, how much time it would take to get to the Marcy Avenue Station in Queens, and the right place to be on the platform for when the next train came rolling in. While much of photography is very much spur of the moment, taking the time to set up a perfect shot is just as rewarding for me.
A Different Point of View
I had pulled a double and filling in at a different building for the second shift. My desk mate was kind enough to let me go to the roof of this 30 story apartment building. I had been hoping to capture a spectacular sunset as dawn broke, but I did get a consolation prize, as I had always admired rain spattered windows. Sometimes in life we don’t get always get what we want, but more often than not there is a silver lining, if you’re willing to open yourself to it.
