Black Sheeps

    I like photographing my family when they least suspect it. Yes, I am the annoying one always taking random pictures. My best photographs of them aren't posed, the best pictures are the unexpected ones. My brother Dennis or "Deni" as my mom and I call him would seem to get annoyed when I bust out my phone or start recording. It wasn't until I hung up old pictures of the family and friends with clothes pins on twine that I feel that he really saw why I take so many pictures. To me its not just to look cute although a lot of them are but that's besides the point. I do it to capture life, that moment that we will all look upon years from now. I will some day say "That's your uncle Deni when he was young and crazy so full of dreams and hope feeling that anything is possible." That's what I see when I photograph my brother, he's my best model even though he might not know it.
    There was a picture that got me thinking and because I love social experiments I started asking around the people I talk to what they really thought of this particular picture. The response was a lot more interesting than I thought. I asked two men that I had befriended on social media what came to mind when they saw the picture. Mark said it felt like home and he really liked it, it reminded him of growing up in South Central. I don't even remember the other guys name now but I do remember his comment,  "It looks like they are up to no good, the guy oh the left has a remote to a bomb or something and they are probably going to explode up a car." I was very shocked at that 2nd comment I didn't know anyone could see my brother or  perceive him in such a negative way. Yes, I know he isn't an angel but damn! I guess the way and or place where we grow up has a lot to with how we see even the simplest things. That second comment came from a guy that grew up in Fullerton, CA. I don't judge him on what he said I'm glad he told me the truth. In a way he shared with me where he came from just form his response.
    When I see that picture I see my baby brother and my cousin Rey. They are two young men living together and finding their place in the world. They are together despite the efforts that were put into keeping them apart for most of their lives. I love seeing them together and I have started referring to Rey as a brother not just a cousin in my eyes I have two brothers now. He has joined the "black sheep's" of the family. At least on my moms side that's how we are perceived we are the ones that have single mothers and sons that have been to jail but its okay because we are true to ourselves.

What do you see?