Vision Beyond The Lens by -J.J. McQueen-

I just realized that I've been so busy this summer that I haven't updated my blog and the summer's gone. Despite a downward turn in the market Goal Line Media has taken a turn for the sky. We've added a new member to the production staff, Mrs. Alex Queen. Alex will be serving as one of our producers. I'm also happy to announce that our independent documentary "The Transition", is near completion. Stay tuned there will be more updates in the very near future. I promise.

When Tyler Perry produced the film, Family Reunion , I had just lost my mother. At the time I didn't think it was a wise idea to go see the film. Being that I was in such a new place emotionally. However, being a student and a fan of the film industry I managed to gather the courage to make my way to the theatre. I'm glad I did. The film helped restore my family focus. The subtractions and additions help mold who we are. Family Reunion , reminded me that with and in every great loss there is a greater lesson. My mother always taught my sister and I to clear a path for those closest to us. So I figured why not focus on my family, the next generation. My senior year of college I produced a project entitled, The Innocence of Life, it was intense. It highlighted the frailty of life and how you should respect each moment. In 2009 I vowed to myself and my craft to live in more of those innocent moments. So if you catch me on an off day I may literally act like a kid. It t...

In the universal world of journalism you find yourself meeting people that you'd always dreamed of meeting and stumbling across those that you should meet. Yesterday I met an amazing lady by the name of Sandra "Sandy" McWilliams . Now I'm saying that like she's a household name but she isn't. Sandy is one of the millions of Americans that live a purpose driven life. Sandy has pledged to walk 700 miles in the summer of 2009 and one of her stops this week was at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Harford County Maryland When I found out that she was walking 700 miles I thought this lady is nuts. My tune changed after I figured out why she was doing it. PSP. Progressive SupraNuclear Palsy, or PSP, is a devastating brain disease. PSP ravages the nerve cells that control walking, equilibrium, vision, speech and the ability to swallow. The catalyst behind Sandy's motivation is her mother, Allene; who has also been diagnosed with PSP. Following her moth...

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military . If there was such an award for serving and surviving their community's wars, I'd present Joseph Jones, President & CEO, Center for Urban families and R&B Singer " Mario " of Baltimore both purple heart awards. These gentlemen have survived and continue too fight the war on drug abuse and broken families. Joe as he's referred to by friends and colleagues is a reformed drug addict and current activist on the war on drugs. He and his team have helped countless families thru the rehabilitation process. (see http://www.cfuf.org/Jones ) Mario, was recently the keynote speaker and moderator for the Center for Urban families latest forum entitled, "Saving Our Families: T he Impact of Addiction on Youth & Parenting" . This young man was phenomena...

Sometimes in life the question above is one that people ask.  I often ask the exact same one when I'm photographing the homeless.  I've met homeless people from all walks of life and even in the most inhuman moments I try to imagine people at their best.  It was kind of ironic when I grabbed these two shots that a colleague and I were on our way to interview Myron Rolle the 2009 Rhodes Scholar recipient.    In that moment, I was like we are on New York Ave. entering our nation's capital and I have to separate reality from hope... something to think about.  I have no idea who this gentleman was but I'm sure he has a name.  That day he was Mr. Thomas.  He reminded me of one of my college professors so I gave him that name.  He looked as if there were a million thoughts brewing on the other side of his glazed eyes.  As do many of the homeless people that I photograph.  Sometimes I shoot with the hopes that someone will be recognized by a loved one and get rescued from the ...

The color of love is clear! The reason that I say it's clear is because when you find the one that completes you there is no doubt about where he or she belongs in your heart.  They fit well with your family, friends, coworkers and most importantly you.   James & Anastashia Hicks understand clarity.  On Saturday April 25, 2009 they decided that it was time to share with the world there love for one another.    Enjoy a few of their photos.      He couldn't see the bride. James's reaction. Anastashia's spiritual father.  There will be another ceremony in South Africa Ana's home.  James's mother proud of her first born. The touch.  I love you. 

What exactly is the new wave in American cinema? Is it Tyler Perr y making power moves or is it young filmmakers like Pete Chatmon  producing and directing films that keep big time and local theatres thriving.  Hopefully the new wave doesn't represent losing all of the vintage venues that paved the way for so many us in the film, photo and media worlds.  Recently, here in Baltimore the waves have begun to splash.  This past month the infamous "Senator Theatre" closed it's doors for the last time.  Like many other photographers and news media I took my crack at capturing some of the "Senator's" history.  Oddly, I came across a name with the likeness of mine, "Butterfly McQueen" .  She was an actress in the mid 1900's.  Her most famous role was that of a maid in, "Gone with the wind".  Of course not being a native of Baltimore that bit of history was a major surprise.  On a larger scale it was a reminder of what American Cinema was ...

If you're reading this blog and you're between the ages of 25-35 the title "Higher Learning" may take you back to the mid 90's to the film that featured Omar Epps and Tyra Banks.  If you're like me you flashback to college.  If you're an ECU grad you know our college lives were much like the film.  Just for a moment I wanna take you back a few more years. Let's try elementary school. I'm talking about when you lost your first tooth and the check yes or no if you want to be my girlfriend or boyfriend letters were in.  Yea, those days.   Higher Learning is what it is.  Stay with me.  Some will agree with me that it's the process in which one retains information and applies it to real life.   If you agree raise your hand.  Okay all of you can put your hands down now. Raise your hand if you agree that we all needed someone to teach us the alphabet, phonics, sentence structure, math, science and the basic fundamentals of speaking.  Okay you can put...

The Sunday Bunch is a small group of folks that gather on Sundays at church. Most of which promise to call one another and plan dinners that will never happen unless somebody dies. That's not true in every case because as we all know, there're exceptions to every rule. There is a real "Sunday Bunch".  It's a group of progressive, creative and upbeat young couples. They're comprised of the fabric that holds families together, builds models of success, healthy life styles created by DNA that most people can't began to identify with. Why? They are doers and not "I'm gonna do people".  They make it happen!  Wow, I'm glad I get to write this stuff. I said all of the above because this year my staff and I are emphasizing growth and development by way of positive people and things.  I've learned in my career that none of our dreams will come true if we're not surrounded by individuals that are like minded.   So I urge you all to go out a...