Dawn Majors with Gordon Parks in 2002

As a photography student the one thing I could never forget after reading Gordon Parks’ autobiography was that cold, cold night he spent riding the train. He had been kicked out of his home as an adolescent. I sometimes wonder whether we would have had a Gordon Parks if he not been capable of turning an unfortunate incident into a life that most blacks in his time couldn’t dream.

Meeting him in 2002 was one of the big highlights of my life as a photographer. I was a participant of the Eddie Adams Workshop and it would be my job to take a portrait of Parks. I was excited and terrified at the same time. It was my first year out of journalism school, and I felt like the luckiest person on the face of the earth. I was getting the chance to meet Gordon Parks, my photo idol.

Gordon Parks by Dawn Majors

When he walked into the room, I stood halfway across on the other side. He sat down at the table as his breakfast was served, eggs and hot dogs cut up with hot sauce on top. I thought “oh my gosh we have so much in common,” I’ve eaten my eggs the same way.

After his meal he beckoned me closer. He wanted to show me some of his new work. When it came time for the portrait he was so generous and kind with his time. I could not think for the life of me what would be a good, no - amazing, portrait of him. He began moving around the room making suggestions then finally inspiration struck and I made this wonderful portrait of him. I was so proud of myself. And deep down I like to think he was a little proud as well.

Gordon Parks by Dawn Majors

There is an exhibit of Gordon Parks’ work being shown at the St. Louis Art Museum. The exhibit is called “Bare Witness: Photographs By Gordon Parks.” The show is running until August 3rd. The exhibit highlights some of his better-known works like “American Gothic,” his image of Ella Watson, a black charwoman posing with a broom and a mop; and his 1961 piece of a young asthmatic boy named Flavio who resided in the slumbs of Rio de Janeiro. The exhibit is wonderful. His black-and-white images transport the viewer back to a time when our country was in great turmoil and suffering, yet still held true to a level of innocents.

To read a review of the exhibit in the Get Out section of the Post-Dispatch, click here.