Rest In Peace Tony Harms, photographer

I should have taken a picture of fun

and named it Tony,

put love in my lens

and made sure it was blind like his.

Such an unlikely character at hip hop shows. His unexpected, warm, kind contribution gave me hope for ageless fun, for community that gathers around interest only without the barriers of race. His simple presence and forever smile and warm hugs and generosity checked my preconceived notions every time.

I’m sad that I was mostly out of the scene by the time Tony showed up. But I’m so glad I got to have at least a few experiences basking in his light. And I’m so glad he got to capture so many.

I can’t wait until his archives are published one day. So so much beauty captured by that man.