A nationally traveling photography project aimed at capturing the identity of everyday Americans is making a stop in Texarkana next month and you can be a big part of it!
Photographer Aaron Patton will bring “The Americans” project to the Landmark Building on Thursday, April 9, where local residents are invited to take part in a growing portrait series spanning all 50 states.
he project is designed to document Americans through a simple but powerful lens: what they do. Participants are asked to arrive dressed as they would for their job or role in life and to bring along the tools that represent their work—whether that’s a hard hat, laptop, instrument, or something more unconventional.
From 4 to 7 p.m., Patton will photograph anyone who shows up—no appointment necessary.
A Portrait of Identity
“The Americans” is more than a portrait series. It’s an evolving national archive exploring how identity in the United States is often defined by occupation, hometown, and outward labels.
The project challenges that idea by leaning into it.
Each subject is presented in a stripped-down, minimal style—identified largely by what they do—while still capturing something deeper beneath the surface. Some participants embrace their roles; others quietly resist them. Together, the portraits form a broader reflection of a country that both depends on and struggles with labels.
Participants in the project so far range in age from 4 to 92, including everyone from office workers and gig economy drivers to ranchers and even rattlesnake hunters.
About the Photographer
Patton, a commercial and editorial photographer with nearly two decades of experience, has worked with major outlets and brands including USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, The Guardian, and Warner Bros./Discovery. But he describes “The Americans” as his most personal work to date.
His photography often explores the tension between how people present themselves and who they really are—an idea central to this project.
Local Invitation
Texarkana residents of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Whether you’re blue collar, white collar, self-employed, retired, or somewhere in between, the project is open to anyone willing to step in front of the camera and represent their role in the community.
No registration is required—just show up ready to be photographed.
For more information about the project, visit theamericansproject.com.
