They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Good deal, because there’s no other way to fully capture the Bull City in 250 pages. Durham’s rich history and quickly evolving narrative could fill a tome of 2000 pages, but alas ain’t nobody got time for that. Solution: pairing a reasonaBULL amount of words with dozens of stunning photos of the people and places that make Durham the greatest city.
From its inception I have said that “The Bulls of Durham” living history book is Durham’s story, I’m just lucky enough to be the medium. In line with that over 115 Durhamites have been interviewed for the book and the Durham community chose the cover art for the book in the #CoverTheBulls cover art contest. There were over 3000 votes total in the contest. Artist and Bull City native DeCario Allen won first place and artist Relly Moorer won second place becoming the famous hand on the cover of “Welcome to the Bull City.” Keeping with the mission of the project we’re finishing strong with an entire photography squad, I mean herd. Meet the incrediBULL Durhamites capturing the Bull City for the project.
Derrick Beasley – Lead Project Photographer
Derrick Beasley is a Bull City native and a man of many talents including photography. He joined The Bulls of Durham herd in late 2018 as the Lead Project Photographer. I reached out to Derrick because of his unBULLievaBULL portrait skills that would be a perfect fit for the book. I was slightly concerned he would decline after discovering the number of photos we needed in a short period of time. His response? A very chill, “Cool. Cool.” He then proceeded to casually mention that he’d done 20 portraits in 2 hours in a project with Saleem Rashamwala. That left only two questions: When could he start? Why doesn’t he introduce himself that way?
I lost track of just how many interviewee portraits Derrick snapped in a three-day photography-palooza, but it was a lot. And he did so with an upbeat, chill demeanor. At one point he was giddy, but that’s a long story about a light fixture.
Brian Bonomo – Location Photographer
If you have a photography project that falls under that category of IncrediBULL but Borderline Ridiculous with Hints of Danger, hire Brian Bonomo for the job.
Brian’s been in the Bull City for over a decade. Durham stole his heart from New York City. NYC’s loss – he’s incrediBULL. He was willing and aBULL to capture over 16 locations throughout the Bull City in less than two weeks – including editing and turning them in. He even took his adoraBULL family along for part of the adventure.
I really admire Brian for his upbeat demeanor, sense of adventure and for putting himself out there. He shares my favorite philosophy – Ask. The worst they could say is ‘no.’ And that’s how Brian got access to a sixth-story, historic apartment to get a certain photo for the book. But first, he took a selfie. Brian first got on our radar by emailing his interest in being the project photographer, a lot, for over a year. Then he entered the #CoverTheBulls cover art contest, three times. His continual positivity and “put me in coach” attitude landed him the role as the mini-book’s Lead Photographer and “The Bulls of Durham” Location Photographer.
Estlin Haiss – Aerial Photography
The entire purpose of “The Bulls of Durham” is to show the Bull City through multiple perspectives. Estlin Haiss’s photography will give you perspective real fast. Estlin is known through the Bull for his jaw-dropping views of Durham from on high. Real high. Like his drone is probably friends with birds, planes, and Superman.
Estlin came to Durham by way of Duke University. Durham stole his heart and now he’s a Durhamite. Happens to the best of us. He’s currently doing creative work for the new Union Member House. Estlin is one of the few people who know where Wyoming is because he camped out there during the solar eclipse to take more stunning photos. Which reminds me I’ve got to call my brothers from another mother to hook Estlin up with a Big Horn Mountains camping trip.
Elated, delighted, pumped, over-the-moon happy that Estlin’s aerial photography will be the chapter dividers of the book. I love his photos so much I hired him without even knowing if he gives great high-5s. And with that, we’ve got Durham covered from every angle.
Big thank you to the entire photography team; Derrick Beasley, Brian Bonomo, and Estlin Haiss. And thank you to cover artist DeCario Allen. Y’all are making Durham look good, real good. Thank you.