My Mom (and you) Now Knows...

...that I photograph Sadomasochists in DC.

The Washington Post interviewed Aimee Anthony and me about working with Annie Liebovich and ended up writing a little about us:
ARTICLE
* excerpt: "Williams became fascinated by subcultures and people with lives on the fringes. She did long documentary projects about a cult in rural Virginia and vagabonds in Denmark, and she photographed sadomasochists in Northeast Washington. She learned to keep her eyes open, take risks, be more accepting."

I called my mom to see if she got her copy and what she thought.  Her response: "Yes - you photograph sadomasochists??"  And then came the dead, face down in an alleyway speech.  Funny thing is, I was in an alley, getting ready to photograph Fight Club DC, when someone asked me if I wanted to go into a building that had a red glow coming from the windows (ok, maybe mom has a point...). The person who invited me was an N.G. photographer and old friend.  He knew what was happening inside and that he couldn't even get in the door without a girl.  He ended up not shooting much - this was one situation where being a female photographer made all the difference.
  The 'be more accepting' part of the article was a bit out of context of what I actually said.  See, I used to be paralyzingly shy (which is funny, since I come from a giant family).  I've always been interested in photographing different cultures, sub-cultures, but really didn't take the photos I wanted until I understood the importance of being open and vulnerable to what you're shooting.  If you want to communicate an effective story and have your subject be open and honest in front of your lens, you will gain little from being the fly on the wall.  It wasn't easy photographing sadomasochists the first time - it's a strange, intimidating world for an admittedly naive country-girl from Georgia.  Before we went in, I may have eyed the pepper spray on my keychain once or twice.  As it turns out, everyone there was quite friendly & nice.  One leather-clad woman gave me a card, so I could email photos - it was her real estate business card with a photo of her with perfectly coiffed hair in a grey business suit.

You Got Eyes.

wandering wonders! wondering wanderers!
Where did I go?

It has come to my attention that I still actually have repeat visitors to this blog, despite the fact that I've managed to neglect it for nearly a year

I've mostly disappeared because of work, work, work and school. In a few days I will graduate. Imagine that!
Last summer was a whirlwind and the week before school started my family's business was involved in a gas fire and burned to the ground. That's initially what set me back with posting and we're still picking up the pieces, so to say.

Nevertheless, a new random LIST:

1. record player. I have one now. hooray!

2. "Lolita" soundtrack record. Is amazing and I need to stop listening to it.

3. Alarm Dancing.
I'd marry him. quite possibly.

4. My blog was blogged about.

5. I named my school's photojournalism website (and I kinda want to steal it back :).

6. Giant Particle Accelerator.
Just another reason why Carpe Diem never gets old.

7. Oceans won't freeze.

Farewell Denmark (part1)

some of my Danish roomies


our little mermaid. we call him Morten.

Deutschland jollification part 3

Nordlingen. 48°51′N, 10°30′E
population 20,000
It is one of only three towns in Germany that still has a completely established city wall.
"Chocolat" was filmed here.
If you have any voyeuristic tendencies, just walk the wall and spy on the people below.


people have also built their homes against the wall.


these homes look more like doll houses.


princesses.


I like that this kid is decked out in camouflage. Apparently, he likes to spent his afternoons shooting at the tourists walking the wall. For awhile he walked along with me. He'd shoot and i'd pretend i got hit and then shoot back- with my camera, no less. what a sweetheart.

Deutschland jollification part 2

I also spent a week and half in Bavaria doing a project on a religious commune. Here's just a small sample of all the pics:


they live on an old monastery from the middle ages. On the property is a cathedral they refuse to use because of its Christian roots. They use it for storage instead. The pews are original and handcarved. They also have relics from the crusades, which they keep in a box.







Me on a swing/ one of the houses i stayed in.

Deutschland jollification part 1

These were taken in my last days of holiday in Germany. I went to Weimer to visit an old art buddy.


Sitting on the roof avec Ilana.


Bauhaus School work ethic.


Ilana's kick ass studio. (a.k.a. my dream studio)




roommates

Ilana's place


that time of the year again. Yummy cake made by Ilana. The days were hot and humid in Germany, but this day, the perfect rain came to supplement the perfect day.

Aarhus: Hippie project continued...

This is my 2nd favorite project I have done this year. The residents were so welcoming and friendly. I had my tarot cards read while staying there. Things are looking bright.