New York-based photographer Chris Sorensen was approached by Harry Winfield, art director for Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight magazine, Vera. Harry wanted Chris to photograph portraits of a former mafia enforcer – with a twist.
He emailed with the details on the assignment — a former mob enforcer for John Gotti who goes to prison for attempted murder, gets out and becomes a drug dealer/addict, then sees an abuses/abandoned dog one day and takes him in and nurses him back to health and discovers healing the dog cures his own demons and ends up getting clean and opening an animal shelter for the animals even other shelters won’t/can’t take — and I was all in. Such a great story of redemption and renewal for both man and beast.
The shoot was one day with James, following him around Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to all his haunts, to his shelter, etc., doing both portraits and more documentary shots. The shoot went great. James is quite the character and very into it which made the day productive and enjoyable. And of course the dogs and other animals are amazing!
See more of Chris’s work on his website.
Credits:
Photographer: Chris Sorensen
Art Director: Harry Winfield
Photo Assistant: Sally Montana
Further Reading:
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