Rob Culpepper

Been shooting interiors during Covid. This is Panache (@domestiquepanache), the hip little coffee spot in 5 Points run by the @domestiquecoffee brothers. Shout out to Blake for being a gracious host and willing subject. On a summer’s day, you can’t go wrong with their nitro cold brew.

Leila & Brit. We went way down a rabbit hole discussing personality and coupling via birth order and the enneagram. Brit taught me the word ‘enjambment.’ Leila teased a discussion of Semiotics but I balked. We talked about Alabama, politics, and an organization Brit started called Bevy (@thebhambevy). Brit reminded me that during college, she was one of -seven people- in the Samford Democrats, and she continues that kind of long-shot, dedicated advocacy to this day. I hope she runs for office one day—she will have my vote.

Golden Age - @amandaloper, who is a principal at David Baker Architects, designed this fabulous space, and is pictured there to the right, has started posting some images from our photo shoot in January and writing about the thoughtful material choices she made. The place manifests such a great vibe, but learning about the local sources of custom work has given me a new appreciation for the details that reflect the values of the shop so naturally.

I’ve decided to shoot more portraits this year in my studio’s natural light. Please DM me if you’d like a sitting so I don’t have to do dozens and dozens of too-serious self portraits.

Storefront Church - Ashford, Alabama

I found an ominous set while trying to wrap up these black and whites before the new year. Too bad it’s not the year of the rabbit.

My pal Stephen in Ithaca on an unseasonably warm and sunny day this late November. #blackandwhitephotography

I remember now setting out to look for broken glass. Because there had been a bunch of car break-ins at a parking lot around the block from where I live, and I figured the remnants might look cool in a photograph. #blackandwhitephotography #rollei35se

This wall at the Pizitz courtyard is now non-existent. I can’t speak for the puddle. #blackandwhitephotography #rollei35se

On the same roll there were three pictures of dented metal. Here are two. #blackandwhitephotography

It’s always fun to find a couple of old rolls at the bottom of a coffee cup full of pens when the exposures are good. These were bulk rolled, and the only marking on the black film canisters was the number 1600 written on a piece of tape. Meaning, push the development two stops for that delightful grain. #ilfordhp5 through #rollei35se with that bomb #40mm lens.

Week ago tonight—sharks in the Marigny. Loud music, quarter stacks, gambling machines, cheap beer, couple people in two day old Halloween costumes. All the things you hope to find in NOLA. #neworleans #billiards #pooltable #ricohgr1s #kodakportra400

A night at Gip’s always started with booze and then someone would sing Amazing Grace and the House band would start jamming. After a set, they’d take a break and Mr. Gip would sit on the front of the stage and noodle slow blues. He was hard to understand in conversation, and his singing was just like that, more the shape of a sound than any words I ever learned. Afterward, a band like Todd Simpson and the Mojo Child would turn it up and Mr. Gip would dance with every woman in the place. Rest In Peace, Mr. Gip.

Sunday Salutation - yoga at Railroad Park in the shade of a clear blue sky - sometime this summer - #ricohgr1s #kodakportra400