Visit Matt Hoyle's site to see his collection of portrait photography featuring active sideshow performers and other "circus freaks."
Writers are often told that editing is a far superior skill to actual writing. Most art can learn from this lesson. As these individuals are such unique and interesting characters in their own right, Matt does a terrific job in editing out any photographic editorializing and capturing the naked essence of his subjects.
These performers are artists, entertainers and individuals who, like tattoo collectors, utilize their bodies in ways beyond the comprehension of normative society. I felt a spiritual and aesthetic kinship to Matt's subjects that I did not realize before being placed face to face with them.
Those portraits are amazing! They are so gritty and show all the emotion and realism that might be otherwise missed when seeing these folks perform.
Is it just me or does slide 20, "Jacque", look like a Gacy clown?
Cheers.
Amazing!!! I so love this, Craig.
Wasn't "Zelda the Tattooed Lady" billing herself as "Insectavoria" at one time?