John Boal Photography

Last month I had the opportunity to photograph Sherron Watkins speak at George Mason University.  Sherron Watkins is known as the whistelblower of the Enron Scandal , which happened 14 years ago this month.  I don't suppose corporate malfeasance started with Enron, but it sure feels like it.  Since then we've had the recession, and countless numbers of corporate shenanigans. Knowing I had a chance to photograph someone who participated in something so historic, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to shoot a portrait.  We all worked out the particulars, and I assured Sherron that I'd be ready for her and we'd take 10-15 minutes of her time. For a larger selection of portraits, visit my photoshelter gallery, here . Watkins has been touring and giving speeches for years, now.  I thought the most interesting observation she made was comparing the leadership of Enron to the fable, The Emperor's New Clothes. Those that did speak up, Watkins admits...

I recently received an email request from New York Magazine regarding a portrait I took of Dan Backer.  It was a little surprising, if only because the picture they were thinking of was one I did of Dan 4 years ago.  He and his wife are personal friends of ours.  In 2011, I was a staff photographer at the News & Messenger and working on getting better at portraits and specifically business-style portraits.  So we agreed to meet up.  He needed professional portraits, I needed to practice, so we met up and spent a little time doing some portraits.  He's still using those portraits.  Which is how NYMag found me. Shot in Dan's apartment, 2011.  NYMag eventually selected this one for their article. 2011 I contacted Dan and we met up quickly on a Saturday morning before one of his meetings and we did a little refresher session.  NYMag ended up going with the one I did 4 years ago, but that's ok.  I have more portraits.  An...

I don't usually use this blog to talk about causes, but two days ago I became aware of one of the more perplexing land swaps in U.S. history.  Perhaps for the first time ever , the U.S. Government is attempting to transfer sacred Native American land into the hands of a private foreign interest.  How?  Why?  Maybe we should follow the money. The pictures are from the demonstrations held on the U.S. Capitol lawn yesterday.  These are the San Carlos Apache and their supporters. To see a full edit, check my gallery here: http://johnboalphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/SaveOakFlat-DC-Rally-2015/G0000n9TZ0_2pwKc Carrie Sage Curley, San Carlos Apache, dances to music played by fellow members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. In December of 2014, as we drew near another shutdown, the Defense Authorization Act was passed in Congress and at the last minute, a rider was slipped in... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/ndaa-land-deals_n_6264362.h...

I am a "generalist", as they say.  In some circles this might be the kiss of death.  Often the advice is to specialize and market the heck out that one thing you do really well.  But as someone who cut their teeth as a photojournalist at community newspapers, I rapidly found  that I enjoy doing different things.  The mix helps keep me fresh, and engaged alowing me to always be thinking about how to do something better. Even though I consider myself a generalist, I do tilt toward the editorial and portrait world.  So when I shoot other things like events, conferences, often I think about how I would shoot this if it were an assignment instead of a commissioned job for a corporate client.  The dilemma as a generalist is keeping my portfolio up to date.  So I'm always looking out for the moments that might work for the client and for my portfolio. Here are some of the best of those from the past couple months: ...during a video shoot. ...

I had the distinct honor of photographing Jessica and Patrick for The Boston Globe in December for a story that ran in late January (see the story here) , who happened to be victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.  Both had lost their left legs as they watched the marathon.  Jessica, at the time of the assignment, had been considering amputating her right foot, due to the pain and continued rehabilitation/recovery.  Ran with story, here .  Initially, the idea was that I would accompany her on a visit to the doctors and therapists at Walter Reed.  When that idea fell through (permissions, especially when it's close to the holidays are especially difficult to come by).  So the best we could do was meet in front of the NIH metro stop and shoot for about 30 mins.  The initial story (a year after the bombings) is here , and you should read this one and the one that ran in January, because Eric did a great job following this story over the...

A few weeks ago I applied for a staff position at the Boston Globe.  I did not get it.  Staff jobs, especially ones at greatly respected papers that win Pulitzers, are very hard to come by.  However, they contacted me about freelancing for them in DC, which is the next best thing.  You never know who is going to see your work and find a reason to get in touch. Then on Halloween I received a call from one of their photo editors (Yes, they have more than one!) about a portrait they needed that day in Washington. They were doing a story on millennials and their impact (or lack thereof) on the upcoming elections.  The subject was a pleasant 18 year old intern at the Hart Senate Office bldg who happened to be from the Boston area.  The assignment was fairly open ended.  They had interviewed the student and had quotes to use, like this one: “If you ask any number of my friends, they don’t even know how to apply for an absentee ballot or that you even cou...

I really had a plan to attend the Prince William County Fair for a few days and get some good pictures.  August often is a slow month so I thought it'd be perfect to spend some open days shooting on my own.  Then I lost my phone.  Then my car broke down, then I got busy with work.  I did, however spend 1 morning (with Catherine and Lawrence Deeds of Skyline Farm in Orange, VA) and one evening (roaming) there.  Here are some of my favorites.  One of the first things I did, when I had a free night was go to the rodeo.  Then I saw Missy.  So we talked and I figured I had to get a picture of her, and she was very cooperative.  So was the light. Melissa McMullan, Miss Rodeo Virginia 2014, of Ft. Valley, VA, stands with her horse, Sarah, during the Dave Martin Rodeo.  McMullan represents Virginia regionally and nationally, while promoting "rodeos and the western lifestyle" in Virginia.  A child shooting bubbles, next to a fo...