Portrait of Don Willett
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Don Willett

About the Artist

Don is a nationally published editorial portrait photographer who started taking pictures as a kid.  He graduated from UMBC with images published in national magazines and moved to New York City.  While in New York, he began exploring the intersections of technology and art, using large scale video projection and videowalls in productions of live theatre on Broadway.  His credits include the US and International productions of The Who's Tommy, and  How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  He has taught photography at the International Center of Photography (ICP),  interactive design, video production and animation at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and currently teaches at Towson University.  He recently completed a solo show at the Creative Alliance where he presented a selection from 21 Days:NYC.  A series of environmental portraits taken over 3 weeks in New York City.

Don Willett website View Website

Artist's Statement

Unlike many mediums, photography brings a unique and fluid truth because it captures just that briefest moment. In the continuum of life, the second before and the minute after were different, but for one split second this is what was there. That supports my pursuit of the singular image. A picture that demands that you stop and look. It requires, that you work your way through the layers of a story, discovering the context, the person, the moment you are seeing. The camera becomes a golden ticket and a clever disguise that grants access to people and their unique situations.

Featured Work

Photos

This is an image from the Known:Unknown series. He had lost his wife in the early '60s and much of his home was frozen in time from that point. I made portraits in a number of areas in his house, but the kitchen seemed to be one of the most important places in the home.
Another in the 21 Days : NYC Series. Shot on Day 8 in Midtown. Debuted in 2019 at a solo show at the Creative Alliance.
I had the rare opportunity to talk with Paul and photograph him in his studio. I chose this image from the series because it really focused on him rather than the artist in his space. I hoped it captured his warmth, humanity and generosity.
Part of the 21 Days : NYC series. The series is comprised of street portraits made over 21 days in 2018. The series debuted during a solo show at the Creative Alliance in 2019. This particular image was made on Day 18 while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.
This image is a portrait of Keith, who owns and drives for his limo company.
This image was made on a misty morning during the winter along the Atlantic coast.