I moved back to Tampa in 2022. One thing I learned to appreciate about living in NYC were the cemeteries, and upon my return to the Sunshine State I sought out our local graveyard. It was a bit of a sucker punch to the gut to see some of the recent dedicated gravestones, and sometimes the best approach is to be as blunt and honest as possible. Oaklawn Cemetery does not whitewash history.
Winter's Tale
“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.
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.
