Portrait of a Generation - The Children of Oklahoma: Sons and Daughters of the Red Earth
M. J. Alexander knows well the power of storytelling that uses both words and images. In Portrait of a Generation -- a follow-up to her highly acclaimed Salt of the Red Earth -- Alexander highlights the future if Oklahoma. From toddlers to teenagers, the wishes, hopes and dreams of the state's best resource are expressed through their wisdom and Alexander's compelling portraits. -from Amazon.
Over at OKC an Oklahoma Magazine they describe how the photographers went about taking photos of all these Oklahoman children:
"From May to October 2010, the artist trekked more than 11,000 miles — from the Rita Blanca Grassland to the Tallgrass Prairie, from the Blue River to the Glass Mountains — to photograph children of the 46th state."
Brandy McDonnell’s daughter Brenna, 21 months, and photographer M.J. Alexander look at Brenna’s portrait that Alexander took. It is displayed at the Capitol’s North Gallery. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman
The baby photo above is a shot that draws people in. The baby is a newborn and to the right is the same baby grown up and seeing herself in the photo. What a memory for the family!
There is even a photo of a 17 year old boy who survived the Oklahoma City bombing. Amazing.
The photographer has their own website where you can see some amazing shots. There is also a Wikipedia page for the photographer. The photographer also has a facebook page!
