Feature of an Artist: Kevin Nortz

If Kevin Nortz ever hands you a business card with the words "Kevin Nortz: Photographer" or "Kevin Nortz: Reporter" written on it, please know that card is hopeless in its attempt to fully define the man, the skill, the career or the skills of the person handing it to you.

"For the past decade, I have walked into a complete stranger's house nearly everyday and asked them to ignore me, and then they do," Nortz said. "I have hung out of open helicopters taking photos of complete devastation, (Seattle Seahawks quarterback) Matt Hasselbeck basically dove onto me to score the go-ahead TD to send his team to the Super Bowl, I had a machine gun held to my head trying to make pictures in the Philippines, and have spent more time in prison (taking pictures) than I would ever care to do again. Yet, none of that compares to having a stranger tell you their life story at their kitchen table."

Unlike those limited business cards, Kevin's photographs boil with undercurrents of heartbreak, fear, determination and rebellion. They urge you, envelop you with a desire, to look deeper and to know the whole story of the photos' subjects. Now it's time to tell Kevin's story.

Move through the photos above, and below are links to Kevin's personal site, where there are many more examples of his work, and his ToledoLand interview.

Interview: Kevin in his own words | Website: kevinnortz.com

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