9 Portraits of Patrick Swayze

This project was born out of a daydream in the studio about five years ago. Over coffee we talked about trying to capture ...

This project was born out of a daydream in the studio about five years ago. Over coffee we talked about trying to capture the banal moments of a celebrity who’s most noted work was behind them and was now plodding around in the house in the most normal way. Patrick Swayze seemed to be that man. It had been a long time since Road House, Point Break or Dirty Dancing had defined his career. Though we never met, he seemed like a likable chap. A friend of ours at Humboldt had even studied with his Mother who is a prominent dance teacher in the LA area. At first we thought, “Lets call his agent and see if he wants to work with us.” Yes, ridiculous, we know. “Let us play with your persona, please!” We realized it would have to be a purely conceptual or proposal based project. Jonathan who is the anchor of dry wit in the studio started penning the scenarios that we would photograph. Sadly, Patrick Swayze died of Cancer in 2009. When we reread the project it took on tones that we never intended. We hope it is read in respect to the man. Rest in Peace.