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'Bo' Express

btrofort — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:32:23 +0000

“Sculpture occupies the same space as your body.” – Anish Kapoor

Had the opportunity to photograph a friend of mine, Mr. Bo.

Gold Leaf Portraits

btrofort — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:19:54 +0000

“Beauty’ is a currency system like the gold standard.” – Naomi Wolf

Had the opportunity to shoot a beautiful model and got to do a little experimentation using gold leaf and colored gels.

Collegiate 100 Men of Virginia Commonwealth University

btrofort — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:31:05 +0000

I had the opportunity to photograph the Collegiate 100 Men Organization of Virginia Commonwealth.

About the organization: “The purpose of the Collegiate 100 is to implement the mentoring and tutoring programs of 100 Black Men. The participants assist the parent organization with the development of the social, emotional, educational, and physical needs of youth who have few or no positive role models in the communities in which they live.”

Here are a few of the portraits from the photoshoot:

ProTeam Presents The ProTape: College Educated

btrofort — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:15:43 +0000

I had the opportunity of photographing ProTeam (an Urban, Rap, Hip Hop group comprised of Trae Tay, J-Nyce, and J.Sum) this past weekend and creating the album art for their new mixtape entitled “The ProTape: College Educated” which will be released in the spring, continue to be on the look out!

Volleyball Athlete Portraits (Shoot 12)

btrofort — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:35:01 +0000

“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson

Continuation of Athlete Portraits Series

Shadeism Final Portfolio

btrofort — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:16:42 +0000

“Though the brown paper bag test is antiquated and frowned upon as a shameful moment in African-American history, the ideals behind the practice still lingers in the African-American community” — Rivea Ruff

Artist Statement

After looking at the work of Carrie Mae Weems and the way her work correlated to her past experiences I began to play closer attention to myself and use my experiences in order to create a more personal body of work that revealed me not as an artist, but a person. This semester I found that I have faced the strongest battle of finding and defining myself; and this body of work displayed my exploration. Growing up I found myself facing an internal struggle of trying to define whom I was. We are always told “to never judge a book by its cover”, but I commonly faced being judged and criticized based on my appearance. Being a “light skinned” African American woman and having a twin sister who was “much darker” I noticed how we were both treated differently in the same circumstances. I wanted to explore Shadeism, the discrimination based on the shade of your skin, and the loss of identity where the stereotypic criticism and words of others construct and structure the reflection of yourself. I began speaking to different individuals within different ethnicities and genders about this issue where they expressed experiences they had or didn’t have. I aimed to reveal this concept by displaying eight 20”x30” black & white prints, where my models were placed in between two mirrors, where their reflections was a personal confrontation within themselves, while they confronted the audience with personal statements written on brown paper bags that depicted the stereotypic criticism they have faced. I incorporated the “brown paper bag test” within this series, which was a test that was used to classify individuals based on the shade of their skin in comparison to the color of a brown paper bag. I accompanied my installation with two mirrors on each side of my presentation in order for the audience themselves to not participate but to become involved with the personal struggle that each model faced within this process, of your reflection based on the words of others vs your own personal reflections of yourself.

"Why should the color of my skin matter? _Caucasion _African American _Other"

"Whatever happened to one love?"

"Why do people assume my complexion speaks for my personality????"

"You're Not A Real Nigger"

"Why do I got to be pretty for a Dark Skin Girl? What does my shade have to do with it?"

"My Skin Is Too Light To Be African"

"People say I need to tan because I'm too PALE"

"What if I told you I was not good at math?"

"There's too many skin lightening products for you to not be light skinned...to be whiter"

"We would be best friends if you appreciated color"

"People say that I'd be 'prettier' with relaxed hair!!!"

Final Portfolio Installation below:

(prints were 20″ x 30″)

Track Athlete Portraits (Shoot 11)

btrofort — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:19:52 +0000

“To be number one, you have to train like your number two.” - Maurice Greene

Continuation of Athlete Portraits

The Winter Fashion Show

btrofort — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:16:35 +0000

Here is a small preview of The Winter Fashion Show: City of Dreams which was held on December 4th, hosted by ParkBenchSeet and Complex Model Troupe.

Track Athlete Portraits (Shoot 10)

btrofort — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:51:59 +0000

We’re at the starting block. We’re ready to start moving forward. ~ Jerome Kisscorni

Continuation of Athlete Portraits

Behind the Scenes - Vario Picasso Video Shoot

btrofort — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:48:05 +0000

Here are a few “behind the scenes” images from Vario Picasso’s video shoot which was filmed this past weekend.

If you haven’t, take the time and check out his Argyle Sox mixtape.

The Eyes of a Child

btrofort — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:16:09 +0000

“Only those who look with the eyes of children can lose themselves in the object of their wonder” – Eberhard Arnold

You Want to Interview Me??

btrofort — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:17:56 +0000

“Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.” – Thomas Jefferson

Last week I received an unexpected message, after viewing my blog someone became very interested in my work. Next thing I know, I was blessed with the privileged of being interviewed by Official The Magazine.

It was a great opportunity and I hope you all will enjoy my interview (and learn more about me) found here!

Special thanks to the team at OffTheMag.

Savage Kingz Clothing Photoshoot (Part 2)

btrofort — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:01:51 +0000

Had the opportunity to do another product based photoshoot with Savage Kingz Clothing.

Here are a few shots of their latest gear. Also be sure to check out the Previous Photoshoot.

About the brand: “Savage Kingz Clothing is a brand that promotes the empowerment of our youth and input a sense of leadership. We daring our youth and peers to be different and dream big. There is no dream or idea to big if you are willing to work and go for it.”

Track Athlete Portraits (Shoot 9)

btrofort — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:12:51 +0000

“You kind of get wiser as you run the hurdles. I actually believe that.” -David Payne

This is a continuation of my previous track portraits, Shoot 7 and Shoot 8.

R.I.P. Sean Taylor

btrofort — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:22:29 +0000

“It’s not difficult to separate it, … When I’m here, I’m not worried about anything other than what’s going on on the field.” – Sean Taylor

This is a pen drawing I drew in honor of my bro Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins as a dedication to his family when he passed away.

You will always be remembered and will always be missed.

RIP Bro (April 1, 1983-Nov. 27, 2007)

Copyright ©2011 Breonca Trofort. All Rights Reserved. No images may be copied or downloaded without express written permission from the artist.

Track Athlete Portraits (Shoot 8)

btrofort — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:11:11 +0000

“A good hurdler has to be completely familiar with everything that goes on so if something happens he can automatically make an adjustment.” -Rodney Milburn

Continuation to previous Track Photoshoot.

Savage Kingz Clothing Photoshoot

btrofort — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:28:33 +0000

Had the opportunity to do a product based photoshoot with Savage Kingz Clothing this weekend.

Be sure to check out their new products which will be released on Black Friday.

Shade-ism (Part 2)

btrofort — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:31:09 +0000

Shade-ism (closely related to colorism):

1. a form of skin tone bias that identifies groups and individuals on the basis of their degree of pigmentation

2. discrimination between light & dark skinned individuals within the same community

3. idea of adding/subtracting ‘skin color’ for acceptance in society

Brown Paper Bag Test:

1.use in the the early 1900s among upper class Black American societies and families to determine if a Black person was sufficiently white to gain admittance or acceptance.

2. If your skin was darker than a brown paper bag, you did not merit inclusion.

~Continuation of Part 1.~

Track Athlete Portraits (Shoot 7)

btrofort — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:16:22 +0000

“I truly believe that we can overcome any hurdle that lies before us and create the life we want to live. I have seen it happen time and time again.” – Gillian Anderson

Continuation of Athlete Portraits

Suntrust Richmond Marathon

btrofort — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:56 +0000

“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”- Emil Zatopek

The Suntrust Richmond Marathon was my feature this week in the Urban Views Weekly Newspaper.

You can view the article by visiting my Public ations page.

DPS Unity Hip Hop Event

btrofort — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:51:13 +0000

This past Saturday the Def Poets Society at VCU Unity Hip Hop presented the Unity Hip Hop Event.
Below are a few images from the Hip Hop Showcase. More images can be viewed at their facebook.

: Eddie Vanz

Ja-P

Chris Scholar

Curt Cobane

AC Halo

Ryan Easter

Sincere

Tout Noir

btrofort — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:48:17 +0000

Had the opportunity to do a product based photoshoot with Tout Noir clothing yesterday evening.

About the brand:”Tout Noir means ‘ALL BLACK’ in Haitian creole. We reject the negative connotations of black and promote and adhere to its power. All colors derive from Black and the cast universe is predominately dark or black.”

Take the time to check out their products which are available ONLINE NOW!!

Decided to do some night photography and I also got the chance to play around with long exposures.

Stalley & Kendrick Lamar @ UVA

btrofort — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:41:24 +0000

I had the opportunity to attend the Student Hip Hop Organization (SHHO) concert at the University of Virginia (UVA) which featured 2 great lyricist, Stalley & Kendrick Lamar.

For more upcoming events, view the SHHO website.

Studio Portraits

btrofort — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:13:36 +0000

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Soccer Athlete Portraits (Shoot 6)

btrofort — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:48:12 +0000

“The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn’t move, kick it until it does.” ~Phil Woosnam

Continuation of Previous Soccer Portraits.