The Carcosa Interview: James Lanning, Daredevil Photographer

I met James while working as a marketing intern in New York City. He was cruising in a post-grad world, working as a barista in a coffee and smoothie shop. He was pretty laid back and chill, as we discussed what life was like living in such a huge ass area. When he showed me his Instagram, my jaw dropped: this dude took pictures from high-up buildings where his feet would be dangling off the edge. It was intense just browsing through his work. I knew I had to interview him, so I finally got to via email. Please enjoy! Age: 25Occupation: Musician, Photographer Black Nerd Problems: If you could pit two fictional characters against each other in an ultimate battle, who would they be and why? James: I’d love to see Alexander the Large from A Clockwork Orange fight Eminem’s Slim Shady. Something amazing has to happen when you pit two sociopaths against one another. BNP: Please tell us a bit about yourself! James: I attended New York University, majoring in Journalism and Africana Studies. While I originally planned to pursue a career in print journalism, my passion for music grew over the course of my time as an undergraduate—I now live in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn working as a barista while pursuing a career as a recording artist.BNP: Why do you feel the urge to photograph what you do? James: Exploring the city was a way for me to escape from any pressure I was feeling at the time as well as a way to subvert depression, which I’ve struggled with for the past seven years or so. When I fi…