George Nan
It’s a bit nerve racking photographing someone that means so much to you
In college at Virginia Commonwealth University, I was fortunate to study under a really wonderful teacher – and person – in George Nan. He is knowledgeable and insightful, and always supportive, not just about the technical and compositional aspects of photography, but also about life and the day to day.
George arranged my first internship (a while back now) and a couple of years ago he sent me one of his prints as a gift. That print inspired my approach to an important project – he’s still teaching me.
Though we have kept in touch over time, I was still anxious making this image. As soon as I started to photograph him, he asked what Lens I was using, my answer brought good-natured ribbing about my choice – a student all over again.
He showed up with his Instant Automat camera and enthusiastically talked about all of the technical goings on and chemical processes of its instant image making. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was happy to listen. I didn’t want the moment to end.
