Interested in offbeat Americana, Phoenix-based adventure photographer John Burcham set out to create a series that would allow him to dig deeper into American idiosyncrasies. Typically an outdoor adventure shooter, John wanted to step out of his comfort zone and focus his lens on the odder sides of Southwest culture. He took no time finding his project’s muse: the city of Laughlin, Nevada—a place that to him, has always given off a strange vibe. So, after passing through what he calls a “tiny and less glamorous Vegas” for the hundredth time, he pulled out his camera and began documenting what he saw. I find John’s “Laughlin” series sharp and humorous, so I got in touch with him to learn more. Below is a sample of the series along with our brief interview. Enjoy!
– Maria Luci
How would you describe your photographic style?
I guess I would have to say that I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll…. Honestly, I’m not sure how to describe it. When I first got into the photography business, I mainly shot outdoor adventure, which included expeditions, rock climbing, running, etc. Lately, I’ve been shooting more editorial work, but still keep active photographing adventure sports. This Laughlin project is typical of my style, but a different subject matter.
Where did the idea come from for your Laughlin project?
I had passed through this area many times en route to California and it always struck me as such an odd place. It is always unbearably hot and almost has a desolate feel to it. Laughlin just seems to appear out of nowhere. It is this low budget Vegas that attracts older retirees looking to gamble and party-goers looking for an affordable good time. I love the contrast of the giant casino hotels butted up against the (freezing) Colorado River and miles of lonely desert. Also, over the years I’ve gotten pretty busy and always seem to put these projects on the back burner. It is something that is so important for a photographer to keep up on. It’s like working out that specific muscle to keep it strong—to try and evolve.
How did you approach people about photographing them?
One morning I went out to take photos of the sunrise and to see if there was anyone out for a morning walk. I ran into this guy double-fisting two beers; he seemed wide awake. I thought it was a little early for drinking, but apparently he’d been up all night and was still going strong. Which kind of leads into your question about getting shots of people—if they were drinking, they usually didn’t have a problem with me taking their pictures. This guy in particular, who had been up all night, was great. I did on a few occasions run into situations where some people were getting a little too intoxicated. Overall though, people were pretty open to letting me follow them around and photograph them.
How does this project relate to your commercial work?
It’s no different. I approach every shoot—whether it’s editorial, commercial or personal—as if it’s the biggest shoot of my life.
Which is your favorite photo from the series?
My favorite is the older couple that I shot. To me, it isn’t the photos themselves, but the fact that I had such a good time taking their picture. They made it really memorable.
Do you plan to continue shooting this series?
This one is finished and I’ve already moved on the the next project. I could work on this project forever and shoot it in many different ways, but there comes a point when you have to give yourself a deadline—just like with an assignment. Otherwise you could spend the rest of your life always trying to improve it.