This is one of those times that my job becomes more than just snapping photos. Who am I kidding, it's never been about just snapping photos. It's about having the ability to open a visual doorway into who someone is and what makes them special. A few months ago I spent the better part of the afternoon hanging out and photographing Braxton Verner for the Winter 2014 issue of @Affinity. If you saw him on the street, you'd think he's a typical teenager. If you saw him working on his art you might think "what a driven and creative young boy." The focus that he generates when he is working on a drawing permeates the room. "It truly is an amazing spectacle to watch him create a charcoal drawing." Braxton, who is 14 years old, struggles with mental illness, but finds solace in creating art. I urge you to read his story written by Alison Fiebig Mayer and find out what makes him the talented artist that he is turning out to be.
Braxton in his own words:
