Master Dong Kim

After arriving to the U.S. from his native South Korea in 1984, armed with black belts in several discilines of martial art, Master Dong began teaching both adults and children. His instruction was not limited to the traditional dojo however. Master Dong taught in homeless shelters such as DC Villiage and the Center For Creative Non-Violence. Special atention was given to chidren, who suffered shame and ridicule along with the other burdens of being homeless. The name of Master Dong's original approch to martial arts is called Home Do, which is described on it's webpage as thus:  “Home” refers to body. “Do” refers to practice.  Master Dong emphasizes how buildings are not our true homes. Our true homes are these bodies we use to walk, talk, see, eat, play, and many other things. Our “big home” is nature in which we all share, not just amongst each other, trees, animals, and microorganisms." More info can be found @ www.homedo.org

Jessica

One of the hardest to get picture is that of another photographer. This proved true when I attempted to snap a fellow Washingtonian named Jessica. She protested, she covered her face, and she made the classic excuse of "..but I don't have any make-up on!" Of course I replied with the truth that she was beautiful without any. Jessica  finally gave in and I snapped, amazed  she had let her guard down. The best moment for me is when I show a subject their photograph and they smile in approval. It makes me happy to know I just gave a person a new view of themselves.

Cowboy

I caught this gentleman on the 96 bus, Saturday the 21st, on my way to visit  friends of mine at Pinz and Needlez tattoo palor on U Street. He was not only gracious in allowing me to photograph him, Cowboy gave me a cool pose. I showed shop artist Darryl and owner Chris the image on my phone.They also knew Cowboy well:The night before, Chris tattooed on Cowboy, a surveyor by trade, looking through a level!