Sensual and sexy are first words that came to mind when we saw Clayton Cubitt’s fashion photography. When we saw his portraits of hurricane Katrina survivors however, the word “RESPECT” flashed before our eyes. Clayton treats these portraits with the same stylized production value as his fashion work, but lets the survivors everyday personality show through in a way that tells a profound American story that desperately needs to be heard.

“A lot of the time I’m a fashion photographer,” The Wiliamsburg (area of Brooklyn) native explains. “And I’m certainly inspired by fashion photography, but I don’t consider myself a fashion photographer alone any more than I would consider myself a ‘portrait photographer’ or an ‘art photographer.”