David Binder
I photographed three subjects for Showing. I knew two of them going into the project. Emma, the waitress, worked at a local bar, and Morgan, the nurse, lived in my neighborhood—sometimes, I would see her walking her dog.
I didn’t know Anna, the sign language interpreter. I saw her on the television, signing for the governor during a news conference. Luckily, I was able to find her contact information and approached her about participating in the project.
David is an American photographer based in Boston, MA.
Emma, J.J. Foley’s, from Showing: Pregnancy in the Workplace, 2012
Morgan, Physician Assistant, from Showing: Pregnancy in the Workplace, 2012
Anna, American Sign Language Interpreter, from Showing: Pregnancy in the Workplace, 2012
My approach to the project—indeed, my approach to photography in general—is straightforward. I try to reflect the nature of the subject in each photograph, providing an honest representation of their character, personality and circumstance. Obviously, I’m not suggesting that I can capture the totality of a person’s character in one photograph. But if I can capture some part of who they are in an honest way, I consider it a job well done.
I’ve devoted a lot of my time making photographs that challenge stereotypes and preconceptions. If there’s a common thread within my work it’s this: I try to make images that are simultaneously personal and universal, relatable and unique. I approach the work as a way to bridge barriers, connecting seemingly disparate communities by recognizing our universal connections.