Kathryn Boyd Brolin has that free-spirited seventies vibe nailed down. It is unusual to not see her smiling or dancing to something with children at heel, gazing up in wonder at her uninhibited approach to life. The pea in her pod is her husband, Josh Brolin, who marshals along similar lines — carefree, kind, Californian insouciance deep in his bones. Together, well, you get the picture you see here, taken by the extraordinary Brian Bowen Smith for his book Drivebys. A portrait of abandon and love.
Kathryn has twice worked with The Rake, and is the kind of photographer that editors would be wise to hold close and embark on endless adventures with. She finds solutions rather than problems, understands personality, works well within the limitations of budget and time restrictions, and, like a terrific tailor, has an understanding of how the recipient of her work wants to feel. She knows where they want to go, and holds their hand on the way.
It is understandable, therefore, that Leica have asked her to be an ambassador for them. Indeed, more recently, her work has become a journey of reportage that displays depth, wisdom, beauty and sophistication. An image of her daughter with an ice cream speaks to every parent who knows the magic of their child’s wonder, mischief and innocence revealed in a single moment.
