Portrait of Russell-2

Russell was originally from San Fernando Valley but moved up to Antelope Valley, attended Antelope Valley High School, received his associate’s degree at Antelope Valley College, earned his undergraduate Communications degree at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB), Antelope Valley campus and at the time of this interview, was studying for a Masters of Science in Administration (MSA).

When Russell was studying Communications, he “didn’t really have any set goals” and was just trying to follow his instincts to see where he fit in the academic world. Russell explained that he was studying for an MSA, “to learn more about business.”

Russell also liked writing, both creative and research.

He was a night crew lead at Food 4 Less.

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin ©2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.

Portrait of Suzi

Suzi was born and raised in Lancaster, California, USA. She went to  Antelope Valley High School. Susie worked for an Insurance agency in Lancaster.

Suzi had Saint Bernards as companion animals for five years all together. The Saint Bernard she had when I met her was three-years-old and her previous Saint Bernard had passed away.

 

Suzi with her St. Bernard and a friend’s      St. Bernard

 

 

 

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin ©2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.

Portrait of Nicole-2

Nicole raised livestock at Antelope Valley High School, specifically steers and heifers. Although she was a student at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB), she didn’t consider raising livestock as a hobby, “I just like raising steers in general because it’s a fun project to do. I want to be an exotic animal trainer.”

Nicole raised steer for the Antelope Valley Fair. She was part of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and had participated in these activities for four years, she was going on her fifth year. Nicole was quite successful at raising livestock for the fair evidenced by her winning Grand Champion in 2016 and Reserve Champion in 2017.

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin ©2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.

Portrait of Levi

Levi had been a public works operator for The Rosamond Community Services District for two and a half years . He had been driving a tractor for two and a half years which he learned on the job .

Levi was originally from Lancaster, California, USA and went to Antelope Valley High School.

Levi’s Tractor

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin ©2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.

Portrait of Candice

Candice primarily did conceptual photography, and studied photography at Antelope Valley College. She was was a mother to a three year old and five year old. The older child went to school and the younger stayed at home. The children loved to go outside and play or go to the park. Candice liked to take pictures of her children but most of her work was introspective self-portraiture.

Candice was born and raised in Lancaster, California, USA. She went to Antelope Valley High School. Her curls are natural, thick and wonderful.

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin ©2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.

Portrait of Jose-1

I was driving to the library when I noticed an individual randomly walking around with a bass drum. No marching band. No group. For that matter, no groupies. Just him. Solo.

I had to make a U-turn and stop to ask if he would be part of my portrait collection. He was kind enough to say yes.

This is a portrait of Jose who played the bass drum for Antelope Valley High School. He was playing for two years at the time of this posting, that being, from his first semester of sophomore year. He loved band, was very dedicated to it, and focused on it to the point that it comprised the majority of his schedule. It was clear that he was close to the other band members and they were his primary social circle.  He was planning to go to band camp for the first time the coming summer and anticipated getting very sore and burnt.

Jose was born and raised in Lancaster, California, USA. His parent were from Mexico. He had one older brother and one younger sister. His favorite movie was Where the Red Fern Grows. He followed the Harry Potter series and was enthusiastic about the fact that the producers were using the Harry Potter franchise to make new movies about other characters in that fantasy world.

Image Credits: Bat-Ami Gordin © 2017 all rights reserved. Credit if you use it, please.