Louie Despres - Photography

I am a street photographer living in Worcester, MA, the home of diners and dollar 'gansetts. I like to trade artwork with other artists, too. www.louiedespres.com

[louiedespres]

I miss people and being close to them. "Corrine, 10-6-12". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #nightlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA_j8xHGUx/?igshid=luccz8tg76af

[louiedespres]

Always interesting to look back every once in a while at images which didn't make the cut for the project you were working on. Outtake from the "fifty" series, "near the Gowanus, 7/8/18". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #fifty #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #Brooklyn #brooklynny #newyork #gowanus https://www.instagram.com/p/CFM23AFH-zF/?igshid=fpqe8oleivhl

[louiedespres]

On this Labor Day, I am working. From the "fifty" series, "start of the work day, 4/17/18". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #fifty #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #work #labor #laborday #working https://www.instagram.com/p/CE1w3cOH7VN/?igshid=1cwl5ygqkxjzh

[louiedespres]

A very dear friend was not able to make it to my "It's Pronounced Day-Pray" show at the Sprinkler Factory last year so I made a book of all the images in the exhibit for him. #itspronounceddaypray #factory #factoryseries #photography #photographer #reclamatioNation #fifty https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZp85eHSGc/?igshid=y693vsrhyavp

[louiedespres]

"Mass Ave., Boston, 2-16-13". #itspronounceddaypray #factory #factoryseries #photography #photographer #Boston #bostonma #massachusetts #massave #bus #busstop https://www.instagram.com/p/CERpKD0HFDk/?igshid=xbxxfhcw1adc

[louiedespres]

Another from the "factory' series and one of my personal favorites from this body ofnwork. "christmas tree, 9-3-15". #itspronounceddaypray #factory #factoryseries #photography #photographer #america #usa #manufacturing #usamanufacturing #deathofmanufacturing #whatremains #closed #ware #warema https://www.instagram.com/p/CEEwkHLnonQ/?igshid=gui0ske8hoos

[louiedespres]

For years I have been documenting myself using photochemical photobooths. I'm sad to say, since Covid has hit, I haven't visited one. Hopefully, soon, that will be rectified. #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #photobooth #photoboothproject #Worcester #worcesterma https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMgfUqnFdD/?igshid=6j0dgesoviai

[louiedespres]

As the Covid lockdown continues and the depression seeping in from the state of our Union, it's photos like these that remind me there were some really happy times in my past. These seem like ancient days from where I am now. From the "nightlife" series, "Lisa & Chad looking at pics. Boynton Resturaunt, Worcester, MA, 4/13/12". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #nightlife #photobook #party #drinking #booze #alcohol #fun #Worcester #worcesterma https://www.instagram.com/p/CC8gZ7XHiIu/?igshid=r6gctibxzm45

[louiedespres]

A few years ago I picked up a book published in 1984 titled, "new color/new work" which featured some of the "rock star" names in color photography such as William Christianberry, Joel Sternfeld, William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, etc., but their work contained in the pages didn't do much for me. The photos by Bill Ravanesi were a different story. In his section, "The Hidden Holyoke", I felt a strong connection. Made up of images from 2 years of living in a $100 a month room over a bar in Holyoke's Hispanic community in the early 80's, these works breathe with life, energy, pride of community and ethnicity. I wish more photos from this series were available. Besides a few other images on-line and scant exhibitions here and there, this work remains largely hidden from modern public view. #photography #massachusetts #Holyoke #holyokema #Hispanic (at Holyoke, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqnsqwn845/?igshid=1u1wargjqwwzm

[louiedespres]

Using your flash and a block of ice has some advantages. From the "nightlife" series, "ice luge, Worcester, MA, 2/22/14". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #nightlife #lights #photobook #party #drinking #booze #alcohol #fun #Worcester #worcesterma https://www.instagram.com/p/CBlbMman3Qo/?igshid=153oc1v8yh2y3

[louiedespres]

Looking through older images I've shot and put on the back burner. "Jeff, Cuban Rebel Girls. Hotel Vernon, Worcester, MA". Maybe 2014 or 15? #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #nightlife #lights #photobook #dancing #fun #Worcester #worcesterma #music #livemusic #local #punk #hotelvernon #vernonhotel https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgC1eRHHEk/?igshid=1mefuabzb9h7w

[louiedespres]

Five years ago today was the install of my "the believers" photo series at the Davis Gallery in Worcester. In this period of social distancing and acknowledging how close I need to be to my subjects to capture them, I don't know if this series will continue in the future. Have I reached the end? I guess time will tell. "#132, "the believers" series. #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #thebelievers #davisgallery https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLxkZcHKYl/?igshid=6gbateezfjbp

[louiedespres]

After about 2 1/2 months, I head back to work today. Lots of anxiety and appreciation but I completed the function in this photo smoothly, like a robot. From the "fifty" series, "steaming dress pants, 4/4/18". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #fifty #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #pants #steaming https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvCxJAHgnW/?igshid=ywetxp4giaf

[louiedespres]

Always nice to photograph other artists in their workspaces. This is painter Don Hartmann in his old studio at 75 Webster Street, 1-10-17. itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #donhartmann #painter #illbeyourmirror https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqXQ8znpjx/?igshid=dzzgqecp2se4

[louiedespres]

May 17, 2020. Cleaning in my garage and figured I'd take a self-portrait. #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #Worcester #worcesterma #worcesterarts #quarantine https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVPJHFHs3Y/?igshid=149igpf9jlpmm

[louiedespres]

I really am missing the bars, friends, and live music during this pandemic. Hopefully sometime in the near future we'll all be able to experience these wonderful things together. One from the "nightlife" series, "Pez & Nix, Lucky Dog Music Hall, Worcester, MA, 10/26/13". #itspronounceddaypray #photographer #photography #nightlife #lights #photobook #dancing #fun #Worcester #worcesterma #music #livemusic #local #deadites https://www.instagram.com/p/CADtXBkH5Hc/?igshid=w5m978y8g4h2

[louiedespres]

I really don't know what to say other than I am pretty devistated right now. Thanks for the music, fun, laughs, and just everything. I will miss your friendship and love. R.I.P., Danny. When I cross over, first round of Heineken is on me. "Ruggy at Ralph's", '98-'04. #itspronounceddaypray #powerandvolume #Worcester #worcesterma #photographer #photography #rock #music #punk #thinner #wormtown #rockandroll #localmusic #rockstar #fuckcancer https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VQqwDH1NE/?igshid=1wiqzr7rbbnb9