Getting my work out there.
A special edition highlighting the projects that I've been working on for the past few months, plus a question for you!
Hi friends 👋
It’s mid-July right now and I am quite antsy for making another post on this platform. Substack makes writing and sharing my work fun, something that isn’t common on other “social media platforms.”
Let’s dive right into this issue.
Book Projects:
I think that every photographer wants to make a book of their work. There’s something really special about seeing your work printed out, but there’s something even more special about seeing it on someone’s shelf or coffee table.
I’ve been toying around with the idea of making a book for a long time. But a few things always get in the way. Those are primarily the fear of putting my work out there and the fear of “it flopping” compared to my expectations.
Anywho…
Here’s a sample of those projects, let me know down below in the comments what’d you like to see come to life.
By the Water.
This project is one of the ones that I am most excited for. Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve been in love with the water, probably because I grew up next to the ocean and on a lake. Being on a boat, wading in the ocean, or swimming below the surface makes the world disappear, it’s just me and the lapping waves. (Side note: growing up I related a lot to Percy Jackson, but just the water part lol, bonus points if you get this reference).
This project focuses heavily on this feeling. It’s my love letter to being on the water.
It’s meant to highlight the beauty of the water and the power/gloom that the water brings. Here are some frames from the early stages of it…
Jim & Glenda.
This project is one I am super passionate about, but I don’t think the entire thing will ever make it out of my family’s circle.
Paloma’s paternal grandparents, Jim & Glenda, are quintessential grandparents. They’re full of so much love and care, seeking to take perfect care of you. They have the cutest home and make it feel like home for you too. The way that they love one another makes you realize that the Lord’s hand & faithfulness have really been on their marriage.
Unfortunately, it was time for them to find living arrangements where they had more support, so they chose to leave their home of 51 years and move into an independent/assisted living facility. Last December was the last time the entire family would be together in their home.
Here’s some frames from our last time there.
We also went out to a big lunch/dinner to celebrate their 60th anniversary. It was such a sweet time with the family (minus Colby getting food poisoning and throwing up on the side of the highway).
Wandering around Lynchburg
This last project is a lot less complete than the other two, but it’s the one that I’ve shot the most for. It’s a project on the walks that I would take through Lynchburg’s various neighborhoods.
Primarily, I would walk near my home in Rivermont, but I would also venture out toward Boonsboro and up to hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These walks were my escape, giving me a chance to catch my breath when life got busy.
I could just wander and let my feet and camera take me to new places, seeing the little moments of beauty throughout Lynchburg.
Some Closing Thoughts…
Now that I have a little bit more time to pursue the things that I’m passionate about, rather than be fully consumed by my work schedule, I’m able to focus on these projects. I’m in the stage of dreaming (something I haven’t done in a long time), primarily about what they could look like in the wild.
I’d love to hear what you think about these projects, including what you’d be interested in seeing more of. Let me know in the comment section on Substack.
Also, if you’d haven’t yet subscribed for the paid tier of this newsletter, it’d mean a lot for you to consider subscribing. With your subscription, you get a small print from me each month of my favorite photo that I took that month.
I realize that it’s another subscription for you, something that many people are often turned off by, but your support of me and my art really does make a huge difference.
Thanks for getting this far and reading this version of Between Frames, I’ll talk to you soon!
Peace & blessings.
-Chase
Chase, I love these projects! What a beautiful gift that you have those photos of Paloma’s grandparents. The water ones are my favorites!
Scheming and dreaming, love it! I always have various different photo projects on the go (just dreaming up different ideas) and you have given me an idea to maybe to also start just writing about the various different ideas I have on my substack. Personally I am an urbanist so always love to see cityscapes and would love to see more of your project of lynchburg take shape! I'm probably a little bias because I am also starting a neighbourhoods project of the city I'm living in (Winnipeg) and it's just such a cool thing to get out of the house and explore the place you live. (I even made another substack for it! theneighbourhoods.substack.com