WESTON PAGANO
Anthology Series
Capturing the journey of Weston Pagano, a close friend, activist, and avid political wiseman. Passionate about history and music, Weston’s unique perspective on life, and his unstoppable activism, has shaped our countless conversations over the years.
Weston and I first met in Chicago on my very first day there, during college orientation. Being from South Carolina, and with his Italian heritage, he was instantly captivated by the European students in the international group that day. Our interests couldn’t have been more different—he was deeply into soccer, politics, and obscure indie bands, while I didn’t share much enthusiasm for any of those things. Yet somehow, the connection between us was effortless. We started hanging out every day, exploring the city, swapping stories about our upbringings, and laughing over our contrasting tastes. Over time, our friendship grew into something rare and steady. Even now, years later, Weston remains one of my closest friends, the kind I can call at any hour for advice or just to talk things through.
Weston has an exceptionally strong political and moral compass, something increasingly rare to find these days. Even though we don’t always share the same political views, I’ve always admired his unwavering sense of conviction and the courage with which he voices his beliefs. He genuinely cares about his country and about those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and that empathy drives much of what he does. His determination to uplift people in unfair situations, combined with how deeply informed he is about the issues he champions, inspires many people.
He’s also something of a human encyclopedia; his fascination with random historical facts runs deep. It’s not unusual for him to drop an obscure reference or share an unexpected piece of trivia that somehow fits perfectly into the conversation.
We know each other’s flaws—and how to navigate them. Ours is a true friendship in the deepest sense: we stand by each other through everything, with a kind of quiet understanding and endless patience that only years of trust can build. These days, we live on opposite coasts—he’s in New York City, and I’m in Los Angeles. Yet despite the distance, we still talk often and stay closely connected. I look forward to taking more portraits of him in the years to come, capturing how we both change with time—and maybe, someday, even witnessing each other’s families grow.
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