Portraits of Fishermen

I grew up fishing around Tampa Bay with my paternal grandfather. He was more of a tinkerer than a fisherman, but when I was six, I thought he was the greatest fisherman there was. We’d fish lakes, streams, the (old) St. Pete Pier, and the Skyway fishing pier. When my grandfather passed away, I got his old film camera, and I still use it to this day.

Now, 30 years later, I live a few miles from that same Skyway fishing pier. I was there taking photos one day when I snapped this portrait of a fisherman in a bright floral shirt. He immediately reminded me of my grandfather and my Portrait of Fishermen (and Women) project was born.

I love living in Florida because you are never far from a body of water. Fishing is a way of life here. The Portraits of Fishermen project helps me feel more connected with the places I love. These days, I never leave home without a camera because you never know what photo you’ll reel in.

I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I enjoyed making them.

- Daniel