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Have you met MajikBoxMan?

Slowly wandering the lanes, waiting for something to catch his eye—movement, color, a look of joy—the Irishman is seldom noticed. With his walking stick and pixie box, he waits until just the right moment, then raises the implement and snaps, catching a look, a pose, swirl of the skirts, before moving on to find his next opportunity. Only those interested in the same things may catch the tale tell signs of an inveterate photographer. Let me introduce you to MajikBoxMan.

Background

A native of Minnesota, Lonn L Simmons, aka MajikBoxMan, is a graphic artist specializing in candid portraits and action shots. He’s always had an interest in photography, having taken classes while in high school, though the high cost of film and developing limited his exploration of the medium. Real life took over and he spent the next twenty years as Colonel Lonn L. Simmons, lighting director for concerts of local, national, and international bands. An accident 2 years ago changed all that, causing him to re-think his future. With a year and a half of Mass Communications/Photojournalism, he went back to school and has recently completed a 2-year degree in Graphics. The technological advances in digital cameras make his old hobby of photography affordable and he enjoys the luxury of taking thousands of shots.

Faire History

It was too many years ago for Lonn to remember exactly when an ex-girlfriend first took him to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Always a fan of medieval type things, he loved the color and atmosphere of faire. He admits to being a people watcher and said that he loves to see people take on the persona of “who they wish they were.” At faire, he gets that chance as people take on roles, either chosen or assigned, which allow them to step outside their every day lives and, for a time, be someone else. He went back to MnRF every few years to experience it again. In addition, he has visited the Wisconsin Renaissance Festival and the Martin Luther College Renaissance Faire in New Ulm, Minnesota.

In 2004, while in graphics school, his emphasis was on digital imagery and he needed interesting locations to take pictures. He remembered faire and thought that it would be great for movement and color. He went three times that year, learning to capture images that pleased him. The next year, he went six times as he rediscovered how much he enjoyed faire. A typical day would see him on site for opening and staying until around suppertime, though he occasionally stayed for closing. In order to get a full sense of the faire, he tried to attend every show, looking to experience everything.

If there is not a festival open, Lonn looks for other places he can get shots full of action and color. Motocross events are a good example and his eye for composition has resulted in some breathtaking moments made forever available. CycleNews and Cycle USA have used his pictures to illustrate articles. You can see samples of his expertise at Motokazie MX Photos under the name Col. Lonn.

Last year (2007) brought a new experience for Lonn, as he contracted with the Minnesota Renaissance Festival as a staff photographer at the event. He was at the site every day that the gates were open, taking pictures of anything and everything, though he had some guidelines such as “we need mugs raised in a toast” or “make sure to get shots at the Queen’s Tea.” Other than that, he pretty much had free rein to take pictures of whatever caught his eye. He continued to attend the various shows he told me, and then added with a chuckle, “I particularly like the bawdier music shows, the ones that include some comedy and make me laugh.”

Weather can be a challenge for a photographer. Last year’s opening and closing weekends gave Lonn a real feel for what it could be like. The rain was so bad on opening weekend that they closed early on Sunday. The staff that he was now part of had a responsibility to carry on for the patrons who stayed. Putting the camera equipment away to protect it, he wandered faire and watched. He probably could have gone home, but faire was open and it was where he wanted to be. He told me with amazement in his voice of how the Bubble Lady, using a rope wand, used the giant puddles outside the mead booth to make the most amazing bubbles, drawing a crowd in the pouring rain.

With his status of staff member came the right to be on the grounds both before and after cannon and free movement in the backstage areas. This access allowed him to see many unguarded moments but, as a newcomer to the staff, he tread carefully as he looked for the great photographs. He worked hard to allow the cast and crew privacy during their set up time and breaks. Trained to spot photo opportunities, he limited his pictures to the final moments of the cast meeting when the whole group becomes a choir under the direction of Zilch the TorySteller and sings Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Lonn said that it was amazing to watch them sing and to see their personas drop in to place, growing and glowing in their faces. “Instantaneously *Boom* they’re in a great mood to go about the day and meet whatever comes at them. All the voices, a couple hundred, singing is just an amazing bond.” It is that feeling, that joy that Lonn tries to portray in his pictures. Color and action will draw his attention, then he waits, watching for that perfect moment to capture forever a look, a glance, a smile, to show the world how much the person is enjoying what they are doing.

Current

Lonn will be on site at the Minnesota Renaissance Faire again this year, taking pictures and capturing moments. He is considering a couple of new items to round out his garb, working to make himself a little less conspicuous during the themed weekends. Pirate and Middle Eastern interest him, but noble is not something he can see himself doing. We laughed as he told me, “If I was in a garb shop with a blank check, I could easily walk out of there with $5,000 worth of stuff. I think anyone could if they’re in to faire enough.” He also plans to find a bag for his equipment that looks more period appropriate. Archibald Scrogis, his Irish explorer persona, is a good fit for both his personality and activities as he walks about the shire and looks for things. He would love to develop a strong Irish brogue to help with his interactions in the lanes.

The future is wide open at this point for the man with the magic box. The only thing he knows for sure is that it will involve graphics, faire, and eventually a warmer climate. He has already made the decision to move south after his daughter reaches eighteen, though where is still up in the air. It’s a big country when your only requirement is “warmer than Minnesota.”

Final Thoughts

He has one idea in mind as he wanders faire and looks for special moments to share. Lonn wants everyone to know that Faire is an amazing experience that he feels everyone needs to take part in, at least once in their lives. He does it with grace and respect and lives by the motto “Be kind to thy neighbor because everything that goes around comes around.”

June 17th, 2008 Posted by Escarlata | Have You Met? | one comment