• Find
    • Photographers
    • Directors
    • Crew
    • Stock
  • Produce
  • Read
    • Published
    • Unpublished
    • Intel
  • Consult
    • Design
    • Marketing
    • Photo Editing
    • Pricing & Negotiating
    • Publicity
    • Shoot Production
  • About
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Successes
    • Press
    • Specialties
    • Membership
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Contact
  • Account
    • Sign In
Wonderful Machine
  • Sign In
  • Consult
    • Design
    • Marketing
    • Photo Editing
    • Pricing & Negotiating
    • Publicity
    • Shoot Production
  • About
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Successes
    • Press
    • Specialties
    • Membership
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Contact
  • Account
    • Sign In
Recover Password Learn More

Please enter your email and website or LinkedIn to receive more information about our free and paid accounts.

Wonderful Machine

Thanks!
We'll reply to you shortly.

Please enter your email address below and we’ll send you instructions on how to change your password.

Enter your new password below or generate one. The password should be at least ten characters long. To make it stronger, use upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.

Generate Password

Cary Norton Catches Tiny Superhero in Action

BY Gretchen Stiteler 3 January 2019
Published, Photographer Spotlight

Alabama-based photographer Cary Norton didn’t have to travel far to meet a real-life superhero. Birmingham native Austin Perine (@presidentaustinshowlove) was so moved by the plight of the homeless in his hometown that he began to regularly donate his allowance to purchase meals for 25 to 50 individuals at a time. News of Austin’s altruism quickly spread, and now, supported by corporate and community donations, four-year-old Austin – accompanied by his father, TJ – travels across the country to serve up 800 to 1,000 meals at a time. Reader’s Digest asked Cary to take photographs for their recent feature on the inspiring young activist. Read Austin’s story here, and check out his portraits (with Cary’s commentary) below!

portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine by photographer Cary Norton

What was the shoot like?

The shoot was pretty low key. We met up downtown in Birmingham, which is the area where Austin first started distributing food and drinks. Austin was shy at first but really came out of his shell once he started engaging with folks. We made some portraits outside of our city hall – channeling the whole superhero thing – and then moved to our city’s amazing public park (Railroad Park) to have a view of the Birmingham skyline in the background.  The assignment came from associate photo editor Matthew Cohen at Reader’s Digest, but the shoot was just Austin, his dad TJ, and me. 

portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine by photographer Cary Norton
portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine by photographer Cary Norton

Can you say some more about why you chose the sites you did?

We knew we’d be in the downtown area and one of the areas is a park near city hall so shooting there was a good fit. Ultimately shooting against the skyline was the best look for the heroic look they were hoping for. 

portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine by photographer Cary Norton

What was your favorite part of the shoot?

Watching Austin interact with the people he was serving. There was lots of gratitude and a few hugs; it was just a really positive experience. 

portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine in downtown Birmingham by photographer Cary Norton

Given the inspirational nature of Austin’s story, was there anything in particular that you wanted these portraits to convey?

I really wanted to give a classic superhero feel to the shoot, but also wanted the photographs to be really fun and to highlight the fact that he’s so young. 

portrait of philanthropist Austin Perine for Reader's Digest by photographer Cary Norton

See more of Cary at carynorton.com!

Check out our other great photographers on our Find Photographers page.

< PREVIOUS
PUBLISHED
NEXT >
×
1 610 260 0200
[email protected]
260 Haverford Ave. Narberth, PA 19072