about
Based in Southern California my roots spread to Texas, Northern Ireland, the Abacos, Cape Cod, and back to Pasadena. Mom was a portrait photographer and dad was a lighting designer; so light, shadow and the smell of emulsion was around a lot. I don't know that it was inevitable that I became a photographer (At one point I was convinced I should be on tour with U2), but those memories, along with a massive curiosity for the world in general, and people more specifically, put me where I am.
10 years as a motion picture camera assistant ------------>B.A. at Southern Cal----------> M.A. Syracuse (geez it's cold here!!)-----------> Northern Ireland : I was supposed to be writing a thesis, but I chose Tri-X instead, shooting The Troubles from both sides of the civil divide, selling some to publications back home. The friends I made during that period have become family as I watch new generations flourish. The tribe expands.
Water, especially the not-always-Pacific is a regular theme. My dad was a sailor and saw to it that I was christened with water taken from the Molokai Channel during the LA -->Hawaii Transpac race, so home is on the water. A group of spinnakers backlit at sunset is always great, but for me its about the crews and what's happening on board at a mark rounding or a cross that I'm after. The more wind and the bigger the swells, the better the results. We call it 'fresh to frightening'.
After 20 years shooting and teaching in the craft, my curiosity continues to expand. Like all shooters, I've learned to plan well but embrace the unexpected moments...which is what curiosity leads to most of the time, and is what we're supposed to do anyway with all this weird gear.
2019 APA Award Winner for LIFESTYLE
tagg@taggartlee.com
818-395-6048