I’m grateful for the work I’ve been able to do documenting this culture. It represents more than 40 years of photography, and I’m proud to finally share these images with the world.
Brian David Price (formerly known as Brian Branch Price) is a photojournalist whose work documents the culture, community, and history of Black gospel music. His interest in gospel photography began in 1980 after watching a documentary about Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of gospel music, who wrote the hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Soon afterward, Price attended a performance by gospel legend Sissy Houston at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, an experience that sparked a lifelong dedication to photographing the gospel world.
Over the next four decades, Price documented gospel artists, choirs, and musicians across the country, photographing concerts in churches, school gymnasiums, and major venues such as the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia and NJPAC. His work features influential figures and groups including The Dixie Hummingbirds, Kirk Franklin at the Gospel Music Workshop, the Little Men’s Choir of Philadelphia, and the Winans family.
Known for his behind-the-scenes approach, Price focuses on the relationships and quiet moments surrounding the music rather than only stage performances. His photographs, created between 1980 and 2015, preserve an important visual history of gospel music and the communities that sustain it.
Artist Bios
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Brian David Price
Brian David Price, a Plainfield, NJ, native son, began his career in photography at Plainfield High School; then as a freelancer for The Washington Post; staffing with The News Journal in Wilmington, DE; followed up with the Associated Press in Trenton, NJ.
He is a photojournalist focusing on reportage, portraiture, and fine art in black and white photography and contracts with Zuma Press.
His assignments have taken him to Ghana, and around the U.S., and he was selected as a Department of Defense Embed for the Iraq War for the Associated Press. His assignments ranged from political campaigns, news such as 1/6, Fashion Week, Super Bowl, World Series, world cycling championships, and self-assignments.
Prior to his work at the AP, Brian worked as a staff photographer for several newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal and Constitution and The Detroit Free Press. He was the first National Association of Black Journalists photo intern selected by the late Michel Du Cille, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from Howard University.
He enjoys cycling and is a member the Major Taylor Cycling Club of New Jersey, American Society of Media Photographers, National Press Photographers Association, The National Association of Black Journalists, and the Crazy Faith Riders of NJ.
Brian’s heroes are his late parents, his sons, and photographers: Sharon Farmer, Roland Freeman, Moneta Sleet, Jr., Gordon Parks, and hometown photographers Irvin Penn and Margaret Bourke White.
Organizations
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
The Gospel According to the Rhythm and Praise
Featuring: Brian David Price
Curated by: Jules Allen
Locations
ON VIEW AT: #42
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
