Stepping in Front of the Lens: A Portrait Trade with Pat Cray
Stepping in Front of the Lens: A Portrait Trade with Pat Cray Part 1
As a photographer, I spend most of my time behind the camera, shaping light, directing subjects, and crafting stories through images. But occasionally, it’s a good exercise—and a humbling one—to step in front of the lens myself.
Recently, I had the chance to do just that in a portrait trade with one of my favorite photographers here in Buffalo, Pat Cray (@yungpainkiller). Our styles couldn’t be more different—Pat is known for his ultra-raw street photography, while my work leans heavily into production and working in controlled environments. That contrast made this trade all the more enjoyable.
We each took a shot at creating at least a few images that interpreted the other’s style. Pat stepped into the studio, embracing a more structured and refined approach, while I ventured into the gritty, unfiltered world that defines his street photography aesthetic. The result? A fascinating blend of perspectives pushed us outside our comfort zones.
Here are a few of my favorite portraits Pat created of me. Stay tuned—I'll share my portraits of him in the next post.
