gilbert christian high school senior | bradley

creativity intrigues me.when someone does something in a creative way that makes me take a step back and say:"dang, that's just awesome...I wish I thought that way or saw life that way."side secret about me, I like to hit up barnes and noble often.yes, I know I should hit up the smaller lesser known book stores, but B&N is just easier and I like theoverwhelming-you-can-read-anything-you-can-imagine vibe when I walk into their stores.the two spots I always frequent are the periodical section and the art section.periodical's because it's like potato chip reading - you can't not have just one chip and you can go through what they have to offer quickly.the other section I like is the art section.the place that I get to look at and read about people I admire and wonder about and who I frequently am amazed by.the creative section.the annie leibovitz section.the ansel adams section.the steve mccurry section.the last time I was in I skimmed this book and aim to read it in it's entirety this summer:creativity: flow and the psychology of discovery and inventiondon't start thinking I'm into smart things and psychology (although I do enjoy asking the why in what people do...I guess that's psychology?)I only picked it up because of this article that fast company tweeted about it...the 10 paradoxical traits of creative people.I was interested in what made them paradoxical. (yep, totally had to look up the definition of that word - it means "seemingly absurd or self-contradictory" for those of you intelligently challenged like me) ;)rather than make this post even longer...click on the links and read it for yourself - it's interesting.primarily, I found it interesting because I was thinking about the guy in today's photographs.people might say that it's too soon to call him a "creative" because of his age...I disagree wholeheartedly.he IS a creative and having spent time with him and also by anyone else who hangs out with him, it's abundantly evident.his work reminds me an early hunter leon or joey l...but he has more angst than either of them.it could be his age, but I like it...and I like to see his progression even over just this last year.plus, during his session I got to witness one of the coolest memories I have to date in photographing seniors.we're photographing in a fairly cool run-down part of the warehouse district in phoenix...I had him sitting on a simple small wooden ladder...and visually you can pretty much overlook most of downtown from where we were shooting.his mom wanted some images with his viola and in my mind I'm thinking, "cool - high school level viola player".um, no.I was startled by the sweetest, most pure, incredibly deft mozart music filling our street in downtown phoenix.that was paradoxical.this beautiful sound in a most seemingly out-of-place location.I'm photographing his effortless viola playing and smiling because whatever creativity is...whatever the balance that they say creative people have with "playfulness and discipline or responsibility and irresponsibility"he has in buckets.thank you for the afternoon, bradley...you're an amazing person.I can't wait to see what the next few years hold for you! :)