In November 2009 I was hired to shoot skateboard legend Duane Peters for a feature in Rebel Ink Magazine. Since the feature was mostly meant to highlight Duane’s tattoo collection, I spent most of the time shooting portraits and close-ups of his tattoos. we shot at a few different locations in downtown Los Angeles and Duane was following the crew in his ‘79 chevy conversion van.
While setting up for the last shot, Duane was waiting in his van for me to give him the OK. Once the lighting was set up, I went to tell Duane we were ready. This was the first time I saw the inside of the van when I realized this was the ‘money shot’. I quickly rearranged my lighting that was set up outside the van and snapped off a few shots. Duane didn’t have time to rearrange anything or clean up so this was exactly how it looked on a daily basis. Even though the magazine didn’t run this photo, it was my favorite from the shoot because I felt like it captured the true Duane Peters in his natural environment.
Toby Caughron

About the shot

Biography
Growing up in the Los Angeles area in the ‘90s, I was strongly influenced by the skateboard, music and graffiti culture that surrounded me. I wasn’t good at skateboarding, I couldn’t play an instrument, nor could I draw a stick figure if I tried. It was my passion for the culture and people I grew up with that inspired me.
I developed an interest in videography early on, documenting skateboard sessions in old town Pomona and trips to the Embarcadero in San Francisco, but it wasn’t until the age of 18 that I discovered my passion for photography.
During a semester abroad in Salamanca, Spain, I walked into a camera shop and bought my first camera: a 35mm film SLR. During my four-month stay I had the opportunity to photograph some of the most well known landmarks in Europe. Traveling opened my eyes to a world of possibilities and the potential that can be revealed through my lens.
After returning to California, I attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. During this time, I developed my techniques in lighting, composition, and portraiture, further enhancing my personal style. Now based in Los Angeles, I work as a freelance commercial and editorial photographer.