the Jack series (Part 1)

• Photographer
  Sean DuFrene, United States
• Website
  http://www.seandufrene.com
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/seandufrene/

At the end of 2008 I started a project called the “Jack” series. In the beginning it was an effort to document my father in his day-to-day routine. This seemed only natural considering coming off of three years as a Photojournalist for the San Diego Union-Tribune. When I began reviewing the images, I became depressed. It seemed like everything I shot depicted a lonely, old man.

At that same time, I started taking classes toward my Master of Fine Art degree. Studying photographers like Guy Bourdin & Helmut Newton revved up the quirky side of my brain. Coincidentally, I noticed the imagery of my father started to naturally become more humorous. The picture of my father and the flaming BBQ changed the direction of my career path. I no longer wanted to document my dad. Instead, I wanted to create a series of photos illustrating my interpretation of him.

The “Jack” series epitomizes my father’s personality (he passed away in March 2012). Each image is based on situations that I experienced while growing up at his house. The old man modeling in the pictures is my father. The series was shot at his home in Huntington Beach, California.

I create photography that visually communicates ideas and personalities. Specializing in narrative-driven portraiture and lifestyle, my images are bold and quirky with a skewed reality.
The framework of my photography draws from time spent working as a Photojournalist at The San Diego Union-Tribune, coupled with time spent studying conceptual commercial photography at the Academy of Art University, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. The style of my images draw inspiration from Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton, Juergen Teller and Richard Avedon (to name a few).

Awards 2015 Communication Arts Photography Annual
2015 Prix de la Photographie - White Competition - Honorable Mention
2014 Prix de la Photographie (PX3) - Honorable Mention
2013 Prix de la Photographie (PX3) - Honorable Mention
2012 Gallery Photographica - Gold Award / 1 Image | Silver Award / 1 Image 2011 International Photography Awards (IPA) - Honorable Mention / 4 images 2011 Prix de la Photographie, Paris - Silver / 1 Image | Of cial Selection / 2 Images 2011 Editorial Photographer’s Education Grant
2010 American Photo Images of the Year - 2nd Place
2009 Communication Arts Photography Annual
2009 American Photo Images of the Year - Student Photographer of the Year