Photography has always been more than just a way to make income for me—it’s something I genuinely love. It’s how I connect with people, tell stories, and document moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. While client work keeps the business running, personal projects are what keep the passion alive. This project—Waiting in Fort Lauderdale—is one of those passions that’s been building for over a decade.

Where It All Started

Years ago, I found myself sitting at lunch at Tarpon Bend on 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale with my mentor, Charles Trainor Jr., a longtime Miami Herald photographer—and the son of the well-known Charles Trainor Sr. He’s someone whose perspective I’ve always respected.

Somewhere between bites and conversation, he dropped a simple idea that stuck:

“You should do a photography exhibition.”

Now, I had done exhibitions before—but mostly with drawings and paintings. Photography felt different. You can’t just throw a bunch of images on a wall and call it a show. There has to be intention, a theme, and a reason for the work to exist as a collection.

So the question became: What would I even shoot?

Finding the Theme

Charles gave me another piece of advice that ended up shaping everything:

Do something you know. Something connected to Broward County or Fort Lauderdale.

It made sense—not just creatively, but strategically. A project rooted in the local community creates interest, opens doors for support, and even makes it possible to qualify for grants. And let’s be honest—projects like this aren’t cheap.

Influence and Direction

One photographer who’s always influenced me is Richard Avedon. His work is bold, honest, and stripped down to the essentials. His project In the American West—photographing everyday people on a clean white background—stuck with me.

No distractions. Just the subject.

That approach made me think differently about portrait photography.

The Idea Clicks

At the same time, I realized something else—I already knew a world full of characters.

Having spent decades in the restaurant industry—as a cook, in management, and as a server—I understand that environment inside and out. The long shifts. The unpredictable customers. The chaos, humor, exhaustion… and pride.

That’s when it clicked.

Photograph restaurant servers from landmark Fort Lauderdale restaurants on a white background.

Not models. Not staged perfection.

Real people. Real workers. Real stories.

And just like that, Waiting in Fort Lauderdale was born.

How the Project Evolved

Like most long-term projects, this one didn’t go in a straight line.

I originally started shooting with an 8x10 Calumet large format camera. In theory, it sounded perfect—shoot on film, create something timeless, something people would truly appreciate.

Reality had other plans.

Large format film is expensive. Very expensive.

After a few test shoots (and a few “is this even in focus?” moments), I realized it wasn’t sustainable. Between film costs, development, and the risk of losing images, I had to pivot.

So I switched to digital.

Still intentional. Still controlled. But practical.

I kept everything in black and white to preserve that nostalgic, raw feeling—removing distractions and keeping the focus entirely on the subject.

Keeping It Real

Authenticity is the backbone of this project.

Every subject is photographed within 30 minutes of getting off their shift.

No time to clean up. No time to reset.

That means the sweat is still there. The flour dusting. The occasional marinara stain. The exhaustion. The edge.

Because that’s the truth of the job.

If someone goes home, showers, and comes back camera-ready—you lose it. At that point, it’s no longer real.

This project lives in that in-between moment—right after the shift ends, when everything is still raw and honest.

The Process Behind the Portraits

Most of the portraits were created in my studio space to maintain a clean, consistent white background—staying true to the original vision.

Getting people in front of the camera, though? That was its own journey.

Some were ready immediately.

Others took months.

Some took years.

Every subject came with their own story, schedule, and personality.

Toward the end, life got in the way—kids, responsibilities, timing, excuses (some valid, some questionable). At that point, I adapted.

For the final group, I photographed them on location at their restaurants.

Not ideal—but necessary to finish.

And after more than a decade, the photography portion of the project was finally complete.

What the Project Is About

Waiting in Fort Lauderdale is a portrait photography exhibition showcasing restaurant servers from landmark locations throughout Fort Lauderdale.

It’s an ode to the service industry—the people who keep it running and rarely get recognized.

These are individuals who:

Walk miles during a single shift
Deal with every type of personality imaginable
Handle stress, complaints, and pressure daily
Sometimes get stiffed… and sometimes appreciated
Show up no matter what’s going on in their lives

If you’ve lived in Fort Lauderdale and gone out to eat, chances are you’ve been served by one—if not several—of the individuals featured in this project.

Why It Matters

Servers are often overlooked.

They’re expected to be fast, friendly, patient, and perfect—no matter the situation. They absorb the highs and lows of every customer they interact with.

This project strips away the restaurant environment and forces you to see them as individuals.

Not just someone taking your order—but someone with presence, character, and a story.

More Than Just Photos

This project goes beyond strong portraits.

It documents a piece of Fort Lauderdale culture.

It gives recognition where it’s long overdue.

And it reflects why I love portrait photography—because every session is an experience. An exchange between photographer, subject, and camera that can’t be faked.

Looking Ahead

With the photography complete, the next phase begins.

Test prints. Curation. Execution.

I’ll be working through:

Creating test prints to determine the best look and feel
Curating the strongest images for the final exhibition
Deciding on materials (paper, plexiglass, etc.)
Determining the right size and presentation format
Finding the right location, venue, or gallery to host the exhibition

At the same time, I’ll be pulling resources together—exploring partnerships, support, and working toward qualifying for grants to help bring the exhibition fully to life.

Because great work deserves to be seen the right way.

It’s been a long, unpredictable, sometimes frustrating—but ultimately rewarding journey.

And now, I’m stepping into the next phase of bringing Waiting in Fort Lauderdale from a completed project… into a full exhibition.

Because at the end of the day, photography isn’t just about capturing images.

It’s about telling stories that deserve to be seen.