Daniel Mainzer: Humanity

Interview and story by Josy Jones of The Devil Strip in Akron.

Daniel Mainzer values the simple power of human connection. As a photographer in Akron, he built his career around gaining his subjects' trust and focusing on their humanity. The photo he chose for Ohio Values is one he took early in his career, and it features an unlikely duo sharing more than a stoop. In it, Mainzer sees the potential for transcending stereotypes. As the son of German immigrants, he also values the power of the education he received, and laments that the same opportunities aren't afforded to all. Through his lens, he works to capture the shared goodness he believes can connect and sustain us all, even during tumultuous times.