https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2016/04/07/evan-perkins/n8Hn0mBrrUOcusdHfJdvyM/story.html
When he transferred to Massachusetts College of Art and Design from University of Rhode Island this past fall, 20-year-old Evan Perkins quickly got to work using his camera to take in the beauty of the city and bring out the character of his classmates. Perkins’s Instagram (@perklax) is awash in expressive, eye-catching portraits he hopes capture something essential about his subjects.
Q. What inspires you as a photographer?
A. The main things are locations and people. The main point of my work, and where I think portraiture can be the most powerful, is how it can subtly capture the essence of a person in a fraction of a second. That’s something that can be really important and make something really personal. Any photographer can take a good picture, but picking up on a nuance, characteristic, or little detail about a person you want to accentuate even more with a portrait can say a lot about a person — without actually saying anything.
Q. You often photograph your peers. Why do other artists make such good subjects?
A. They put time and energy into the work they create, and I want the time I spend bettering my craft to be a way to help these people get their ideas, messages, personalities, and work out there. I really respect people who work for a very long time to get to places where the talent is so high. People should know about them, and I think not only artists deserve to be out there, but everyone should be exposed to people who are passionate about what they’re doing. That’s something that we need as a people, in general.
Q. Your bio includes the quote: “And I set out on the heels of the unknown.” Why?
A. That’s a lyric from a song by Radical Face called “The Mute.” It has this story and theme of leaving and not really being sure of where you’re going but believing that there’s still purpose in it. On one hand, journeys like that are terrifying, not knowing what the future holds, but they’re also extremely helpful. The unknown isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because it can take you to things, places, and people you never could have expected.
Q. What is your goal as a photographer?
A. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, first off. On a larger scale, that comes with time, and there’s a time and place for that, but it seems as if people often think of change as only big-picture. It can happen on a personal level, and though I may only be affecting or influencing one person, I can give them a nice picture of themselves they can be proud of. I’ve had friends tell me that the way I’ve taken their picture has given them confidence and a lot of reassurance in themselves. There’s something in a picture that can make someone feel better about themselves, and connecting with someone on a personal level is worth it to me. That’s a great place to start, even a great place to finish, if that’s what it is.