Flag Day: What flag do you fly?

June 14, 2017

Flag Day: What flag do you fly?

I used to always have access to an American flag in the house somewhere and my dad still keeps the one waving from the back of his Harley that I bought nearly fifteen years ago, flying strong. I knew the Missouri State flag and the symbols, thanks to Mrs. Lucas in the 4th grade and later, I even purchased an over-priced MU flag to hang outside my door. I have flown many flags. For the handfuls of active duty family members I have serving all around the world, I remember my tattered 9/11 ribbons that were tied to my car antenna for years. I have always loved to see what sign someone chooses to hold - what are they prideful enough to advertise?

Capturing Time Photography at POW and Veterans protest in MPLS

Consumerism has almost ruined protesting, graphic art, and even dulled the importance of a 'flag'. We are bombarded with icons, emojis, memes, art with text, signs, banners, logos, even cryptic sales tactics to try and influence our behavior are in the works. We just don't get the same OOMPH when we see a flag. Or do we?

Flag Day is the celebration of our nation adopting the flag back in 1777 and also the birth of the ARMY birthdays observance. People flock to sites all across the nation to explore the history behind our nation's Flag Day but even the Betsy Ross House notices the dwindling of fandom by the citizens. The nation's flag, and flags in general, are a seed of human unity against something. A visual cue and indicator that a group of people stand for something here - and we take action to tell others so. Pirates and their skull and cross bones could be seen from across the misty waters and a black flag was surely an omen of death.

MPLS Black Lives Matter 2016 protests : Capturing Time Photography

As a portrait photographer, I adore when someone is holding a sign. A complete tagline or headline to them admitting they want you to see them, hear them, and they are unconsciously giving their permission for you to learn more and perhaps support them... join them. So much of my initial 'photograph a stranger' anxiety is put at ease. Homeless with their signs and those who protest have very different energies. The flag, sign, message, motto, battle cry... all tell a story. The same idea for flags pertain to portraits as well. You don't just want stars and stripes, you want something bold and eye-catching. You don't just want a flag, you want a sign of something. You want a message to be heard, a story to be told, and you have something to stand for. A purpose visualized.