Defying Tyranny
Bellmawr vs Everybody
by Dave Hernandez
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About the Book
In May 2020, amidst the Coronavirus pandemic I saw, what I believed to be, a national news story breaking 25 minutes from my house. I reached out to the owners of the Atilis Gym Bellmawr as an independent photojournalist. Ian and Frank were about to re-open their gym, defying Gov. Murphy's Executive Order for non-essential businesses to close. I did NOT know them prior to the story. I used my portfolio to show Ian that all I wanted to do was tell their story from the inside and that I was not trying to take advantage of them. Somehow, amazingly, he invited me in.
I can’t tell you how many people messaged me. Whether it was in opposition or in support of me covering the story. I couldn’t believe how many people asked me how the story would be different by shooting it the way I did. ESPECIALLY working journalists.
Access is something every journalist craves. To be given access to someone’s life and to tell their story without a veil-as an ethical professional; is the ultimate in story telling. They were/are willing to risk jail, fines, losing their business, and unpopular opinion for a reason and I wanted to show the world their passion, emotions, and struggles as they went through it.
For those that asked how it’d be different. I captured the look of wonder as the people that volunteered to help, listened to chants as they grew outside the locked door throughout the night leading up to the opening. After hearing rumors of a possible police raid, the look of wonder was also one of the unknown. I captured the intensity that swelled as Frank removed the chain from the door that had been locking us in and officials out. I captured the repeated embrace between Ian and Frank, as they too wondered what awaited on the other side of the brown paper lined door. I captured the raw moments of shouting as things started to not go their way, and celebration when they did.
My images tell the story on their own. Without the possibility of bias created by the written word.
I can’t tell you how many people messaged me. Whether it was in opposition or in support of me covering the story. I couldn’t believe how many people asked me how the story would be different by shooting it the way I did. ESPECIALLY working journalists.
Access is something every journalist craves. To be given access to someone’s life and to tell their story without a veil-as an ethical professional; is the ultimate in story telling. They were/are willing to risk jail, fines, losing their business, and unpopular opinion for a reason and I wanted to show the world their passion, emotions, and struggles as they went through it.
For those that asked how it’d be different. I captured the look of wonder as the people that volunteered to help, listened to chants as they grew outside the locked door throughout the night leading up to the opening. After hearing rumors of a possible police raid, the look of wonder was also one of the unknown. I captured the intensity that swelled as Frank removed the chain from the door that had been locking us in and officials out. I captured the repeated embrace between Ian and Frank, as they too wondered what awaited on the other side of the brown paper lined door. I captured the raw moments of shouting as things started to not go their way, and celebration when they did.
My images tell the story on their own. Without the possibility of bias created by the written word.
Author website
Features & Details
- Primary Category: Arts & Photography Books
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Project Option: Standard Portrait, 8×10 in, 20×25 cm
# of Pages: 116 -
Isbn
- Softcover: 9781715188337
- Publish Date: Jul 11, 2020
- Language English
- Keywords Journalism, NJ, Gym, Hernandez, Coronavirus
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About the Creator
David Hernandez
Medford, NJ, USA
Dave is a photojournalist based in Medford, NJ, USA. He is the Creator and Producer of the series, "Into the Smoke". In 2017, he worked as a Consulting Producer for the Discovery Science series, "BodyHack". He is the co-owner of the Medford Film Lab. Dave was a Firefighter with the Medford Department of Fire and EMS in Medford, NJ from June 2000 - June 2015. During his tenure, he held the ranks of Lieutenant, and Captain. In April 2015, he sustained a permanent injury and is no longer an active firefighter. He has numerous certifications and awards with the department.