© Darren DeSilva

The human presence imprints the soul in much the same way a striking photograph leaves a lasting imprint on the mind.

The tradition of capturing presence was a selective task Phillip Stewart Charis entrusted to his successor and protégé, Jonathan Harold Ball. One appreciates Ball’s eye for photography in his expressive technique and ability to capture the emotional heart of any subject’s inner story. Today, Ball’s subject matter ranges from photographing mothers and children to large family portraits that encompass generations under the same name. Yet the central premise of his work—and a major reason the portraits continue to speak to us even after Phillip Stewart Charis’ passed down the torch—is the expression of the human figure presented in silent sensitivity against both its perfect surface and the turbulence of the spirit within.

These photos are a testament to Ball’s artistry. His use of light and color to emphasize subject’s inner story makes each portrait as unique as the individual looking back at you. Is she real? Does he really exist? This image, supported by the subject’s distinct pose, life-size scale and subtle play of background lighting, creates the sense that we are face-to-face with an immaculate creature. Look closer, and one finds the life-like details blend away into brush strokes of paint and transparent glaze over the photograph. This magical combination sets Charis Photography apart from the computer generated prints favored by many of today’s contemporaries.