Pizza and bonfire in the middle of the desert.
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
At my party last Halloween (in 2007), I met his wife (dressed up as a gorgeous nurse). I was telling her how I enjoyed taking photos of her husband during that month-long training evolution.
“I know!” she squealed, “isn’t he gorgeous?!”
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
Marines who went to basic training in MCRD San Diego know of the Reaper. It is a large hill that must be climbed at the climax of the three-day training evolution called the Crucible. So, it was a surprise for many of us “West Coasters” that we would end up once again at the foot of the Reaper, where the MOUT town is located.
We climbed out of the bus and there were many Marines that looked around in confusion, as if suddenly hit with a sense of deja vu and a little bit of dread. “Uh, this looks familiar…”
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
Joshua is the successor to the Smoke Break series of photos I took while I was in Iraq.
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
He is the massively muscular marine who was really a softie inside. I almost felt bad suggesting that we smash the lizard’s itty bitty head with the rock.
Almost.
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
This entire week, every time he sees me, he would ask about the photos I have taken of him. He would remind me, “I need photos for my MySpace!”
Well, here is a good one. Satisfied?
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
Mase is one of the cleanest men I know. I refer to him to others as the “second cleanest after myself.”
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
“Why are you taking photos of me?” he asked.
I was not surprised at the question. I always get that. It was only fair I give him an answer.
“Well, it is what I do. I take photographs.”
And I took them.
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
The camera in the hands of a photographer is dangerous and his prey, captive to his whims.
Photograph by Jayel Aheram. Follow Jayel Aheram on Tumblr.
