My photography seeks to capture the quotidian details of people and places in a way that forces the viewer to experience them in an emotional way. My process is one not of discovery as much as rediscovery. I juxtapose the natural world with the man-made one to create a tension between what has always existed and what has been created or discarded. As a writer I have a narrative sensibility. My photographs attempt to give a glimpse of a story that allows the viewer enough room to bring their story to the image as well. Part of my process is not to stage photographs. I work with objects as they are. I seek to photograph people on the street from a distance or ask strangers if I can photograph them. I've never been refused a photograph. I've been surprised and delighted by the variety of poses my subjects assume. As with the objects, I offer no directives, as I believe the essence of a person, object, or place reveals itself when it is as undisturbed by the viewer as possible. With a camera, I open myself to the heartbreak, beauty, nobility, effort, and sorrow of people and places I only think I know. In The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, the word sonder is defined as realizing each random passerby has a life as complex and vivid as one's own. Behind the camera, I become aware of the sonder all around me. It allows my heart to break open and stand still at the same time. - Michelle Brooks
Arnold
Beauty Shop
Crawlers Avenue
Detroit Big Bird
Detroit Stamp
Discount Candles
Economy Appliances
Geist
Legion
Liberty
Word Of Truth
You Buy We Fry