NEW YORK, NY- “Expressing oneself freely is a wonderful tool for connecting with the Creator.” These words are a personal mantra for Boone, a founding member of BAMBU (Brothers Among Many Brothers United), and a self-taught photographer who transforms his photos into functional art. This skilled craftsman borrows from African and Asian influences to construct lanterns by hand. He balances wood, metal, and paper imprinted with photographic images to form a timeless symmetry in every piece. His photos then become sculptural pieces incorporating light which in turn change the mood of a room.

This native New Yorker has always had a penchant for the arts. As a child he spent hours drawing everything he saw. While attending Aviation High School he learned about materials and their properties, then furthered his knowledge of materials and construction at New York Institute of Technology where he studied Architecture. While at N.Y.I.T. a professor told him that he should photograph his own work. He purchased his first camera and began learning to shoot.

After college he felt the need to connect with people who were not anchored in popular culture, and wake up those who he felt were sleepwalking through life. He and co-founder, Facety Wayne, formed BAMBU with the goals of opening peoples’ minds and challenging them to think beyond the status quo, and connecting with others and exchanging information and ideas. They began spreading their message in Daytona Beach, Florida, through T-shirt designs aimed at stirring emotions and raising social consciousness.

They also photographed restaurants and cafés and developed websites for them. In addition, Boone was doing a lot of freelance photography work (including portraits, headshots, fashion portfolios, production stills, book covers, and magazines), showing his work all over New York City, and selling pieces to private collectors. Besides his work as a photographer and artisan, he mentors children in an after-school program. “The children,” Boone says, “are the key to humanity’s survival.” He’s in the process of developing a photography curriculum for children that he would like to teach around the country. This brother continues to wave the banner of creativity and love while connecting and sharing with folks.