Local residents will have an opportunity to tell their story through photography this Sunday. Photographer Aaron Patton is traveling through all 50 states as part of a project that is creating a living archive of the American identity. Patton’s work explores identity, perception and the tension between how people present themselves and how he chooses to see them. His photography has been commissioned by national brands and media outlets, and his project, The Americans, is his most personal project to date—an evolving portrait of a country through the people who define it. Professionally, he is a commercial and editorial photographer with a career spanning nearly two decades. His client and publication list includes USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, The Guardian, MidwestLiving, Warner Bros./Discovery, FILA, Getty Images and many more.
According to Patton’s website, his approach is both direct and introspective. He doesn’t just photograph subjects; he interrogates the image, pushing beyond surface impressions to reveal something deeper—not just about the subject, but about himself. He holds to Steiner’s belief that “every portrait is a self-portrait,” echoing da Vinci’s assertion that all artists reveal themselves in their work. His portraits explore the space between performance and authenticity—though he’s never believed those ideas to be entirely separate.
His nonprofit is a fiscally sponsored project, so there is no cost for anyone to participate. They just need to show up ready. Patton will be set up from 4 to 6 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Navajo County Historical and he is hopeful to see a wide array of people from the area participate.
To learn more about his work and the project, visit https://aaronpatton.com.
