In today's society, you'll often hear people making statements like, "kids aren't motivated," or "young black boys don't care about life," or extreme comments such as, "black men aren't positively engaging young black boys anymore." To a short-sighted person those thoughts appear true, but for someone who is open to a larger picture, that narrative is flawed. Those types of assertions offer up the opportunity for those of us charged with the challenge of photographing impactful moments to debunk life's ugly myths.
Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Coach Daren Hart
In the world of photography, we are constantly evolving with each assignment, and in moments of motion, we're completely sold-out and invested. It's that mindset that allowed me the ability to see what influence really means. I used to believe that when I would photograph the game of football, that it was my experience as a former player that lent me the ability to see the game unfold. How wrong I was. In recent years, I've learned that it's the art of influence of the things around me that drive how and what I capture. In the image above I remember hearing my former college teammate, Daren Hart, shouting motivational statements to the boys; while at the same time demonstrating what needed to be done. I could subconsciously hear our old coaches repeating verbatim what Daren was saying. Most importantly, I could feel the depth of the seeds being planted because much of what he was saying, were lessons that he'd lived.
Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Coach Earl Rose
On the other side of me was Coach Earl Rose, the camp CEO. Prior to turning around, I heard Coach Rose talking to one of the little guys as if he was his father. Before aiming my camera in the direction of Coach Rose and the little guy, I knew whatever came next would be an undeniable image that would dethrone the idea that "black men aren't positively engaging young black boys anymore". Later that day after camp was over, I thought inwardly, if I decided to speak about these moments publicly, each image would carry an important weight of responsibility. I knew they all offered the power of leadership, sacrifice, integrity, and would articulate positive authority for many years to come. I wholeheartedly believe in the art of visual influence.
Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Camper J
Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Left: Coach P Right: Coach J
I'm always conscious of how the world sees the work of former athletes, possibly to a fault. I believe that the depth of how we see one another as men, in general, can and should lead to positive action. Much of that action is driven or not driven by what we have access to. So, when you're in the company of the coaches in these images, the sound of a man like Coach Stevenson screaming, "YOU CAN DO IT SON!" I KNOW YOU'VE GOT IT IN YOU!" is a sound that gives you chills. It gives you chills because when the drill is over, there's no doubt that we've been afforded the privilege of witnessing where trying turns into triumph for a young boy.
Photo: J.J. McQueen/ Coach Stevenson
The art of influence is an action item. One that offers us all the opportunity to look into a kid's eyes, and fervently believe that he or she sees themselves at their destination while in the process of growth...
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