Camera Guns: A Photographer’s Anti-Violence Project

Our society is full of innovative and creative minds.

Guns, a violence bringer, could be turned into something creative through an artist’s point of view.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined photography and guns?

Well, one photographer, Jason Siegel, did, and the result is a stunning and provocative art project that aims to challenge the way we think about firearm violence.

Camera Guns: A Photographer’s Anti-Violence Project

Jason Siegel is a commercial photographer who specializes in music, fashion, and lifestyle photography.

He has worked with musicians, artists, models, and brands, creating captivating portraits and images.

But he also has a passion for creating something beyond a portrait for a magazine.

He wants to create thought-provoking art that speaks to a societal issue.

That’s how he came up with Shoot Portraits Not People, a project that uses recycled camera equipment to create realistic sculptures of weapons.

The project started when Siegel arranged his camera gear into the shape of a rifle on his living room floor and uploaded the photo to social media.

The image went viral, inspiring Siegel to think about how to turn that basic idea into something more meaningful.

The Message Behind the Project

Siegel hopes that Shoot Portraits Not People will reshape the way that people think about firearm violence and, ideally, spark conversations surrounding guns and potential legislation that may save lives.

The need for that conversation only gets more urgent each year.

Siegel emphasizes that the objective of this project is to evoke emotions.

It’s important to note that these emotions may not always be comfortable, and in this particular case, they are designed to challenge and provoke a reaction from many individuals.

During this project, I’ve talked to many people affected by gun violence.

Most of them had positive things to say, despite feeling shocked.

Siegel also donates a portion of the proceeds from his sculptures and prints to Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-violence advocacy charity.

Siegel openly acknowledges that there are certain aspects of firearm legislation that require change.

However, they express a realistic view on the challenges ahead, recognizing the deep-rooted nature of firearms in American culture and law.

Despite this, Siegel believes that significant changes may not come easily.

With this project, not only does it help to keep the topic at the forefront of people’s minds, but it also has the ability to give back and provide support to those who have been affected.

Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for educating others about the issue.

The Process Behind the Project

Siegel’s sculptures are one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pieces that require a lot of time, care, and creativity.

They also require a lot of old and recycled camera parts, which Siegel has been collecting for years.

At times, he discovers photo equipment that inspires a sculpture idea.

Other times, he envisions a gun model and seeks the necessary gear to create it.

Siegel has no formal sculpting background, but he has always loved designing and building things with his hands.

He says he has learned a lot of new skills through the SPNP project, but the greatest skill he has been able to hone is problem-solving.

According to him, assembling these things is like solving a complex puzzle.

Siegel is also a very talented photographer, so he makes excellent images of his gun creations.

He uses a minimalist style, with a plain white background and a lot of negative space, to make sure the pieces stand out as much as possible.

He also uses straight lines and symmetry, which are elements he often incorporates in his commercial work.

The Latest Collection

The newest batch of sculptures is Siegel’s fifth significant addition to the SPNP project and brings the total number of guns constructed using cameras to 22.

The new firearm sculptures include a MAC-11 submachine gun, a G36 assault rifle, and a Romanian Draco Pistol, although it is more like a compact rifle.

The realism of Siegel’s sculptures is very intentional. He says that by making the sculptures look hyper-realistic, he evokes an emotion and opens up a lot of conversation and interest in the project.

He also provides a video of the material partially levitating above a magnet, showing the Meissner effect, which is a characteristic of superconductivity.

Each new show takes a lot out of Siegel, so he says he needs a recovery period before starting work on the next release.

However, he has lots of ideas in mind for what he will build when the time comes to start up the sixth SPNP collection.

For the most up-to-date information on Siegel’s Shoot Portraits Not People project, make sure to follow along on Instagram and visit the website.

These platforms will keep you in the loop and provide you with all the latest updates on this impactful initiative.

Stay connected and be part of this meaningful movement! Siegel’s commercial photography work is also available on Instagram.

For those in the Los Angeles area, Siegel’s current exhibit is available to visit until December 1.