Mark John Isola, a writer and English professor hailing from both Boston and Provincetown, Massachusetts, contacted me recently to photograph him as he had recently finished working on his first story collection. Fascinating work, his new book explores the social within the sexual to consider the reflective, romantic, and randy aspects of human experience.
Portrait of author Mark John Isola, Boston, MA. Arlington, MA.
During our consultation to create portraits for his upcoming book and publicity material, MJ told me his ideal aspiration was to become the modern male incarnation of Anaïs Nin. This made for a very delightful shoot with me getting to know MJ and figuring out how to portray a multilayered literary mind with a smidgen of carnality, leaving most to the imagination. It was a fascinating challenge to mix those ingredients together to create compelling but subtle portraiture that wasn't too heavy-handed or overt.
Portrait of author Mark John Isola, Boston, MA. Arlington, MA.
MJ himself was just a delight to photograph; warm, funny, friendly. I'm looking forward to reading his book. In the meantime, you can read his blog, MJ Isola's Notebook, here.
Portrait of author Mark John Isola, Boston, MA. Arlington, MA.