Playtone.

In February, my twins and I were sick for about 10 days with colds, so we were quarantined at home. Then the big Texas freeze/ice storm hit, and that kept us home for another week or so (this time with power outages and no running water). We were all a little stir-crazy after that, so once we were able to get back to the “new normal” we currently live in, I felt the need to use my hands/camera/brain to create.

Like any parent of toddlers stuck at home during the COVID-era, I’m surrounded by colorful toys most days. The foam tiles in my kids’ play area are red, green, blue and yellow—like most of their toys seem to be. Inspiration from all of these childhood mementos struck, and I decided to do a color study in the form of product photography.

One of my favorite photography series I’ve seen in recent years is Angélica Dass’s Humanæ - a color study of skin and its matching tone in the Pantone palette. It’s such a beautiful representation of diversity in the human race. My own little personal project does no justice in comparison, but Dass’s project was the inspiration for the Pantone aspect of my project.

Alas, Playtone - my 3-part RGB series of images featuring kids’ toys and everyday childhood staples, evoking nostalgia of the fun and simplicity of play. Notice any favorites from your childhood?

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

***Photographer’s note: Ninety percent of what you see on my site will be portraits. I don’t claim to be a product photographer, but this fun personal project seemed noteworthy and fitting of life in the time of COVID.