One that's dirtier, less aesthetic, more cultural and possibly, more real: the fish market on Maine Ave SW. This thing is literally floating on the water with amazingly fresh looking seafood. Note to self: gotta come back to chow on those freaking delicious crawfish!

I have never photographed such a carefree happy lively group of people. I have shot in places where people are so camera shy it’s almost offensive. I have shot in places where I have to pay money out of my pockets to use my camera.  It’s ridiculous. But here it’s a completely different experience. Do you have a hard time connecting with your subjects? No problem. These people will make it so easy and effortless for you to shoot candid. What I was looking for: authenticity, culture, (sea)food, and people…and I got them all in one stop.

You don’t have to love seafood to enjoy the informal character of the place that sits just a walk away from the more serious political atmosphere of the National Mall. The fish market is another side that you might not get to see too often. In fact, after years of living in this area, I didn’t know that it even exists.