RVA’s Gordon Stettinius getting international attention for looking ridiculous

An adjunct professor at VCU decided to try on as many hilarious looks as possible. He’s now getting loads of attention for it.

July 16, 2012; 10:50 AM • by Nathan Cushing

For the past five years, local photographer Gordon Stettinius has had photos taken of himself, all of which are terrible. All on purpose. “The cheesiness quotient is pretty high,” said Stettinius in Wired.

Inspired by nostalgia for the photographic studio session, the project began as a hobby for Stettinius and his colleague, Terry Brown. For jokes, Stettinius began sending several of the 8×10 photos to other industry professionals. Soon, what began as a hobby turned into an elaborate prank on the industry. “One L.A. gallery asked me to never send anything to them again. Ever. I might send a follow-up.”

Stettinius, a VCU adjunct professor, started Candela Books in 2011, a gallery and book company located at 214 W. Broad Street. The company’s first book, Gita Lenz: Photographs, was released last year. I profiled (a less silly) Stettinius and Candela Books back in April.

Both Wired and Britain’s Daily Mail are giving Stettinius international attention for his new project. You can see photos of Stettinius in his many guises here.