In 1986, photographer David Michael Kennedy and his family traded in the fast-paced, urban hurly-burly of the Big Apple for the dusty, laidback western town of Cerrillos, New Mexico. They were in search of a less stressful lifestyle. Kennedy had lived in Manhattan for 18 years and, during that time, had established himself as a leading commercial photographer. His work received a great deal of attention from art directors, and he won numerous awards, including a CLIO. His celebrity and editorial portraits were regularly featured in Penthouse, Spin and Omni magazines, to name a few. He worked extensively for the music and entertainment industries, including CBS Records, photographing their leading recording artists. These stunning portraits and images were featured on posters and album covers.

His decision to leave New York, and head out west, wasn't made lightly. He felt he had reached a crossroads in his life, and wanted to take his photography in another direction.

Kennedy describes it like this: "I felt as though I had reached a plateau. I was in a very comfortable place, but I had to either climb to another level, or slide down, and I knew I didn't want to do either." Kennedy says if he had stayed in New York, the next step up meant moving up to a bigger, more elaborate studio, hiring more assistants, getting an agent and taking on twice' as many assignments as before. But that wasn't what he wanted.

Above small image: Kennedy with Jumping Bull
Above large image: Sundance, August 2003, palladium print