by Anna Cox | Mar 3, 2015 | Stories
Momdom. That’s where I live, where I hang out in yoga pants and a ya’ll sweatshirt. I am the queen of the kitchen, the laundry wench, the seamstress, and the schoolmarm. I am the queen of my own castle, but man, most days it looks more like a hoarder’s house with toys in every corner and mail strewn across the floor. Most moms can understand the multiple roles I play because they also have many more roles than any human should. When asked to write about what my day looks like, I decided, instead of boring you with my days, I would entice you with my nights. Sounds exotic, no? Keep your pants on. It isn’t. My nights look like getting up every three hours with my youngest son and literally wrestling my older child into bed each night. I am simultaneously the comforter and the disciplinarian.
I read a lot of self-help books. It is actually slightly addicting to invite these strangers into your head and life to dissect you with their words and charts. From early on with my youngest, I read to be in-tune to his needs, because he had a touchy personality, among other variances. I doubt you have met a 6 month old that can make grown ups mad, but Liam could. He refused to smile at strangers, or coo, or really do anything other than deadpan stare at them. It was actually pretty funny. Though, I was usually the only one laughing. Following the advice from a few different books over the last three years has led me to the belief that unless you have that perfect child all the authors list first in their charts, you are just screwed. I was screwed. My kid didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, wasn’t friendly, and could scale refrigerator shelves at 9 months. Oh, the shame of it all. Fast forward two and a half years: he is at least friendly now. He still doesn’t eat or sleep well but, hey, I will take one out of three. The odds are at least looking up and I don’t think he is an old dog yet. I still remember driving to my in-laws and listening to a pediatric doctor on the radio. She spoke directly into my heart when she said that some parents would just be happy they got their children in bed without stitches each night. She also said if you were one of those parents, good job. I sat there savoring the affirmation that my job, my only job, was to get my kid through the day in one piece. Her advice has stayed burrowed in my heart for almost two years.
Recently, he has started having night terrors. Night terrors are baby nightmares which, you, as the parent, can do nothing about until they wake themselves up. It is the most heartbreaking thing to endure. Imagine, you are sitting beside your wailing child and they literally do not register your presence. They are panicked and crying and you can just sit there. You are totally helpless. The one thing you have always had, if nothing else, was the calming presence of just being momma. What do you do when that doesn’t help?
The funny part is — and really it isn’t funny — I feel totally helpless most of the time with my kids. Both are at different ages and stages and I find myself more and more helpless to deal with what they bring to the table. I guess as a parent we feel that way so much of the time. It is all a balancing act. How hard do I push? Am I supportive enough? I find myself saying more and more, ‘I just don’t know’. That razor’s edge I feel poised on for different reason with the boys is exhausting. It is a different kind of exhaustion than the sleepless nights. I am almost used to those, and have found I am a high-functioning zombie most days.
I have decided that raising children is a lot like a series of night terrors. You have 10 hours with them a day (until they go to school) to be loving and compassionate. Then darkness falls, and the terrors come, and all the hugs and kisses and encouragement don’t matter for those few minutes. I view sending my kids into the world as a sort of protracted night terror. I can only wait until they wake up from their selfishness or rebellion to comfort them. I can pour myself into both of them but there are times they are just on their own. I can’t be there to push or encourage, that’s not my role. I have to trust that they will wake up and turn to me. It is funny how comforting it is to me to equate my older son’s bumps and wrinkles to night terrors. I can put a name to it. It is no longer floating anxiety. It has a name and a function and my role is clearly spelled out. I am to wait patiently until they wake up. I am to sit quietly in the dark, with my heart hurting, until they turn their eyes to me for help.
I can do that.
I can wait.
by Jen Bracewell | Oct 31, 2014 | Jen Bracewell, Stories
1000 Words, Instagram vol. 4 by Jen Bracewell
Welcome to our fourth themed Instagram 1000 words showcase! There are many talented artists on Instagram and we wanted to tap into their creativity and showcase their work here. ‘Tis nearing Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos, so I chose “Spooky” as the theme for this showcase.
Grryo believes that mobile photographers/ artists tell stories through the photographs/ images and art that represents their families, their environment, themselves. This is important because of the level of communication that is portrayed in imaging today.
We want to support the mobile arts community by having a place for artists to share, discuss, and critique (if requested by individual). These dialogues help the individuals and the community to grow.
We look forward to you and your art. We thank you for your contribution to the mobile photography/ arts community.
I chose these images for their scary, creepy goodness.
Image by @theljilja
First I want to thank you for featuring one of my images. I really feel honored to be a part of this family.
This image is a part of a series inspired by inner alchemy and the nigredo process. It speaks about the awareness of dark realm. Deep down in blackness there are hidden mythical monsters. We can learn from them if we shed the light on every single one of them. Repression is the heritage and we need to break that cycle!
Image by @_joanna.h_
This image was taken was taken during one of my fairly recent nosebleeds (sorry if too much information!?!), also I now feel a little weird that I took a photo of my nosebleed but I felt like documenting it at the time. Anyway I took the photo with Hipstamatic app on my iPhone; Burke lens and Blanko bl4 film. I used Mextures app to give it a more grungy, grainy appearance. I’m currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and found the particular excerpt (used on my Instagram post) inspired to this photograph.
Image by Caren Drysdale (@carenzo96bnw)
As I was closing the door to our home office late one night, I noticed that the night light in the room created the “spooky” shadow of my hand as I reached for the doorknob. I thought it had potential to be an interesting photo. I shot it on my iPhone 5. It took me a few attempts to get the shadow looking the way I liked and to keep it sufficiently in focus while shooting with my left hand (I’m right-handed). I originally converted it to black and white using the Snapseed app, then used the Willow filter when I posted it to Instagram to capture the final look I was satisfied with.
One final side note to mention is that it may look like the wood on the door is inlaid, but it’s a cool cheat done by my fella, Paul. It was pencilled in, taped, then stained with a darker stain.
Image by Daniela Ubide (@4thieves)
Most of my pictures, I take with my iPhone, in different locations when on holidays and most of my self portraits at my home like this one. I use selftimer and/or a small remote ISnapxRemote, with the limitations, I prop my camera in creative ways. My edits are very simple always in my phone or iPad, using apps like Snapseed, Picsart, Repix, Sizeit…
I called this one Clytemnestra’s torment and I based my inspiration loosely in the classic Greek drama, the double edge sword used as weapon of her murder revenge, I represented with this double pointed cross. The hands or lack of them are very important for my pictures, I tried to represent here with my hands the resignation and despair at the realization of her own acts ( The murders) still keeping a sense of pride, as she never repented of it.
Thank you again for this opportunity
Image by @columnsovsleep_
“Hyde” was part of a series I had done awhile back called “The Grotesque”. It’s an obvious take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but with my own twist of having both sides dark, just one a little less than the other. Sometimes the duality isn’t as clear as I’d like it to be. This is my expression of that.
Image by Jim Perdue, @jimsiphone
Who is on the outside? Who is on the inside? Who is the real outsider?
My photo submission for the #grryo_spooky challenge is titled “The Outsider”. This is a re-edit of a photo that I did a while back. What appears to be a person communing with an ominous specter is really my son and daughter playing in our garage. The bulk of the editing was done in SnapSeed. The distressing was done in ScratchCam and SnapSeed. The dodging & burning and blurring effects were done using PhotoToaster.
Image by @maritahodges
I was out taking pictures and found this beautiful abandoned farmhouse.
I edited it entirely in Snapseed, going back and forth between tune image/details and grunge until I was happy with it.
Image by Eitan Shavit (@strongcomet)
I was living in the Countryside at the time, and everything was so mysterious and haunting. The forest, the fields, paths, trees, all so quiet, lonely and dark during winter time.
I would travel 10 minutes from my house and be completely embraced by nature, with no one around.
I love ghosts and ghost stories, and after seeing this beautiful scenery of magical flowers, I knew something must be added to complete the mystery.
There’s one ghost figure I’ve been using a lot in my gallery. She’s a mysterious girl with long black hair. You never know if she’s looking at you with her hair all over her face, or you see her from behind, and that’s creepy 🙂
Shot taken with Hipstamatic / John S / Blackeys Supergrain. Ghost (from the strange app ‘Scary Camera’) added with Superimpose.
This photo is my most popular one on IG, and one of my personal favorites 🙂
This shot is a composite of two photos, the droplet/web being from the fantastic @pickledgoose, the girl/sunset being mine. I edited with Mextures and VSCO. The original intent wasn’t to make something creepy, but that’s how it turned out, so I just went with it.
by Jeff Kelley | Jun 30, 2014 | Jeff Kelley, Stories
I approached Ken a while ago with the idea of interviewing him regarding his frequent ‘street portrait’ posts on Instagram. Ken, ever the one to deflect the spotlight, helped me come up with the idea of including some others, and what resulted from this was the following conversation via a Google hangout.
J: Jeff K: Ken O: Omar S: Shawn
J: So thanks for hanging out! Let’s start with basics- what city or town are you located in, and how long have you lived there?
O: I’m living in NYC right now… I’ve been here for a year now. Harlem.
S: Philly. However I have moved around a lot. I’ve been back since 2010. NYC (Park Slope) before that. I’m a Philly native, though.
K: West Philadelphia, about 10 years now.
J: For the purpose of this discussion I thought it might be good to define what a ‘street portrait’ is, versus regular street photography. Who wants to take a stab at it?
S: A street portrait is the capture of a subject [in public] with their expressed permission, in the portraiture format.
O: I believe the photographer must show clearly that there is (was) an interaction between the photographer and the subject. Where the main purpose is to say something specific about that subject. And yes, there needs to be consent in this case.
K: First I would have to say that everything is subjective and different people will have different definitions based on their perspective- but for me a street portrait takes place in a public setting and takes place with direct interaction between subject and photographer.
‘Sam Pugh’ by Shawn
J: Right. I just wanted to be clear as I’ve seen some photos labeled ‘street portraits’ which were really just pictures of random people, who had no idea they were being shot. How did you get started doing them? Did you start with candid street photos first? What led to the interest in street portraits?
O: I’ve always had an interest in people since I started photography professionally. However, if it was not for a job, I wouldn’t have gotten myself to do it… just as with regular street photography. Eventually I just decided to do it for my own work… first started doing street photography only, but living in Harlem, I knew there was something more I wanted to get from the history…so I decided to start this particular Sundays series.
S: My story is that I love candid shots, but at the same time I’m a chatty kind of person. So I would start with candids and work up a conversation with the subject to introduce myself and my project. The success depends on how the subject takes the work, and the forward nature of my request. Often times, it becomes a fixed point of reference – if I don’t get the portrait the first time, maybe I will the next time I see them. Comfort levels are a big factor. My interest simply comes from my love of meeting people and connecting.
K: I’ve always done them, I didn’t know they were called street portraits, but I’ve always stopped people who were interesting to me and asked for their portrait.
O: In my case I am not very chatty… I’m more introverted when it comes to strangers… so it was initially a challenge for me.
‘Odessa’ by Omar
J: Omar – can you talk a little more about the Sunday series thing and how it relates to your job?
O: Yes. As I said, I know there is a lot of history in Harlem and every Sunday people really come out wearing their best outfits and there is a stronger sense of pride and community. That’s how this series got started, I wanted to capture that. This, however, is a completely personal work and it’s not related to any other professional endeavor other than my personal work.
J: Got it. I know Ken has mentioned that Sundays are an excellent time to catch people.
O: It is… I also find people are less guarded.
S: Spring/Summer + Sunday = awesome shots. I like Sundays because there are fewer people around, and those few are more open – it’s an odd type of isolation.
K: I think it depends what you’re looking for. I am extremely conscious of how I present the people I photograph because at the end of the day they are trusting me with their image. It’s a gift. So I feel it’s my duty to cherish it. All of that to say, Sunday is a good day to capture people at their best.
J: Another thing Ken once told me- that this isn’t rocket science- you walk up to someone and ask ‘can I take your picture’ and they either say yes or no… While I’m sure that’s true, there must be some discernment on your end as to who will make a good subject. Is there any way to describe that process? And Ken, I like what you said about feeling some responsibility about it. I imagine that factors in to who you choose to shoot.
S: That process for me is simply going with my gut instincts. People who are friendly attract that to them. However, even shooting someone who isn’t necessarily ‘nice’, so to speak, is a chance to challenge yourself to get a great portrait. I’ve been in so-called ‘bad’ areas and gotten some of my best portraits.
O: Subject-wise, I look for people who catch my eye… either visually because of their physique, or by the way they carry themselves.
K: I work off of interest. If a person or scene is interesting to me, there is a hope that someone else might find the portrait interesting. It’s tough to explain why I might take a portrait of one person and walk past another.
S: I couldn’t say that there’s a formula at work for me, just interesting people in unique situations.
‘Nell Divine’ by Ken
J: What other factors are most important once you’ve gotten someone to say ‘yes’? Background or lighting, for example. What do you look for?
S: Light.
K: Always the light!
J: And do you guys often ask the person to move to a particular spot?
S: Light is everything. Sometimes, to get into better light [laughs]
K: Depends on the interaction. Sometimes the portrait is born out of long conversation and you might get a sense the subject is agreeable to doing more than stand and shoot. Other times you have to make the best out of the little time they’re giving you.
S: Truth. Getting the most from those who give the least – right, Ken?
K: Yes, but sometime I get the least from those who give the most.
J: Oh, can you elaborate on that, guys?
K: Meaning, I work off of vibes. The strength of the interaction, for me, leads to a better portrait.
S: Ok – sometimes you’ll come across a great subject and they’re only giving you seconds to work. You have to engage them in a way that creates that shot or lose the moment.
O: That’s an interesting point though… in my case, I usually try to be as fast as I possibly can… with the photo, and in the interaction. Since I know I am taking some of their time I try to make it as seamless for them as possible, and I feel that helps me and them to feel at ease.
S: That’s a good point Omar. I use the old gift of gab to ease them in and out of the moment.
O: What is that, Shawn? I mean what do you mean by gift of grab? gab*
J: [laughs] Gift of grab might not go over as well.
S: Omar- re: taking someone’s time… I use conversation to keep them at ease. [laughing at] gift of grab
K: “Come here, give me a street portrait!!!” So, that’s your technique! [laughs]
J: How about the editing process after- does the interaction you’ve had with them affect the way you may edit the picture?
O: Not really, in my case…I edit according to what I see on the frame.
S: Editing is best served up on small dishes. Meaning, I feel that editing looks great on Instagram and all; the printed work, not that much. The closer you get to natural 1:1 living scale, I believe one should use far less editing.
J: Makes total sense. Do you all shoot mobile only for street portraits? I guess I’m wondering if approaching someone with just a phone in your hand ever confuses them when you ask to take a picture.
S: I carry both my phone and camera – if I can evolve the situation to use the camera, then I do. Many people aren’t at ease with a real camera pointing at them these days.
O: No, I shoot with a camera (mirrorless, hence smaller )… I know people who do street portraits with the phone… but I know I’ve found some people find it more questionable when it’s with a phone.
‘Color run portrait’ by Omar
J: Interesting – so sometimes you think the phone camera actually makes them feel more comfortable, Shawn? And vice versa, Omar?
S: I read their expressions and go with the tool that makes them the most comfy. People pose differently with either a camera or a phone pointed at them, in my opinion.
O: It might also have to do with how comfortable one is with what you shoot with… meaning, if you are more comfortable with the phone, that projects, and the person feels at ease. I’ve always felt more comfortable shooting with a camera. I remember trying to use the phone on occasion, and people kind of gave a “REALLY, dude?” kind of look.
K: I love my little phone camera but I also photograph with traditional cameras as well. Regardless of the device, I feel that you as the photographer are what makes people agree to be photographed.
K: Although to be perfectly honest, when I have the traditional cameras a lot more people tend to ask to be photographed.
‘Philadelphia State of Mind’ by Ken
J: Right. It’s much more obvious what the function of it is.
K: I don’t get many “Hey you! Take my picture with that iPhone!” requests.
J: That sounds about right. And yeah, are the people who ask usually less interesting? [winks]
K: That’s the question isn’t it? I told you I work off vibes. The people who ask to be photographed are not always the ones you want to photograph.
S: You take requests?
O: I have been asked a few times. I normally comply, unless there’s something specific that might make me uncomfortable.
S: I can’t say that I’ve had requests on the street, phone cam or dslr. The only time that’s happened was at one of my recent exhibitions. But it turned out to be a great portrait. I love swapping between both camera and phone in the moment, to be honest.
J: Anyone have a pic on hand they want to throw out there? Maybe tell us a little bit about what happened? I know, I’m putting you on the spot…
O: I can share a story about that (people who ask to be photographed are not always the ones you want to photograph)…
Recently a woman on the train asked me to take her photo…she was with her children…I took her photo fast because it was my stop and I had to leave… Her kids got really excited but as I had to jump out of the train, they got really upset I didn’t take their picture… As soon as I got out I signaled them to take their picture in from the window… Their faces completely changed and one of them in particular gave me a really priceless expression.
‘untitled’ by Omar
S: I had a moment where I was doing a photo shoot with a client and then a man and his kids walked up and stopped on the corner to wait on the bus. The dad leaned perfectly against a mural of angel wings and the word ‘necisita’ over him… I stopped and asked him if I could shoot him – his kids egged him on to do it It was really sweet to see this guy crack his tough shell for his kids.
‘Need an angel’ by Shawn
S: A really lovely moment. He was mad cool about it. His kids were hilarious.
O: I like the text behind…do you know what it means, Shawn ?
S: “need”
O: Yeah. Plus the wings.
S: Like ‘need an angel’, is what I felt, he is their guardian angel/dad.
O: It’s really whimsical yet insightful.
S: He stopped right there and leaned. I couldn’t ask for better, I just begged him not to move.
‘Dr. Salaam Love, formerly of the Delphonics’ by Shawn
S: One of my favorite shots in the past 6 months is of Salaam Love, former member of the Delphonics. I saw him 3 times in one day in 3 neighborhoods before seeing him on my block, after a full day of shooting. He was sincere and effortless in front of the camera. We’ve stayed in touch since then.
O: Sweet.
J: So he is posing for you there? Looks so natural.
S: No, this is pre-pose.
J: But, he knew you were shooting…
S: Indeed, yes. I love the moments before and after a pose. They tend to be more natural for me. Works into what I like to convey about human nature: everyone is flawed and beautiful at the same time.
J: Well damn, that’s a great title for the article.
S: It’s also how I get my shots to be a little different then most.
K: Here’s my story. I’m interested in hearing your opinions, Shawn and Omar…
I was on Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, a rough area by nearly any standard… From across the street I saw a man combing his long white hair. I imagined him as what Samson might’ve looked like if he’d never met Delilah. It was obvious to me that his hair was a great source of pride for him and I approached him and asked if he was making himself camera-ready for me. He laughed and said no, but told me I could take his picture if I wanted to. As I framed the shot, I watched all of the strength and glory I witnessed just moments before dissipate into what I can only describe as a look of posed despair. I’ve seen people change when the camera comes out, so at the time I didn’t think much of it and told him to go back to combing his hair so I could capture him in his full glory. He laughed and I saw a glimpse of what interested me initially, and I captured the moment. As I took down his information, a woman tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was the photographer that paid people in the area $2 for their picture. She was clearly looking for $2 and wanted to know where the line started. I told her I was most definitely not that guy. Explaining to them both that I make portraits of people that agree to be photographed because they want to, not because I dangle money in front of them. Something about the practice didn’t feel right to me, especially in an area like Kensington where I’ve seen people do unmentionable things for a few dollars. If you’re going to help someone, help them out of a sense of altruism, not out of self service. I couldn’t help but wonder if his affected pose was a result of what he thought I wanted, or is this contrived reality just the way that some photographers go about getting street portraits?
‘Shaun of the living’ by Ken
O: Well, from a journalistic point of view, it is considered unethical to remunerate subjects for a story… I tend to follow that principle… I feel that dangling a little bit of money in front of someone for a personal gain is not the best way to go.
S: I’ve never paid anyone for a street portrait, and I imagine I never will. I believe in charity, and I have helped some of the people I’ve shot in ways that I won’t mention (for their privacy). To that end, I don’t shoot people who are homeless, or obviously mentally challenged. Paying for shots reeks of poor judgment and bad ethics.
K: I think you mention a good point about photographers exploiting situations, Omar. I think you have to be clear on why you are in the streets asking people for portraits. That is the first question to ask. If the answer sounds anything like fame, glory or an increase in ‘likes’ and ‘follows’, then pause. There’s rules to this thing here.
O: Exactly.
K: I respect everyone’s right to do things their own way, but I think there is something to be said for being upright in what you do. Helping those that need help is one thing, but tit for tat is something else.
J: Well I think this wraps it up. Any of you have any questions you want to add? Any closing comments? Sage advice?
S: Stay humble, friendly, and open toward people and you’ll get better shots.
K: I hesitate to give advice because I don’t know that it would work for anyone else but I would encourage people to stay true to themselves. Authenticity is currency in the streets (not your business card or the size of your camera). When you play for(to) the crowd you ultimately play yourself. Every street portrait that someone allows you to make is a gift, treat it as such.
O: Ditto… I’d add this… make sure you know your craft before you get yourself to do it. You’ll be more effective and give your subject a better experience if you “look” like you know what your doing.
S: There it is!
O: It’s been a pleasure chatting with you gentlemen.
S: Yeah, this was pretty cool man.
J: Really appreciate you guys taking time to do this. Perhaps we will meet some day, after all we aren’t that far.
Ken
West Philadelphia-based image maker.
Instagram
Shawn Theodore
My photographic method has been based on a personal interpretation of existentialism as portrayed in Ralph Ellison’s ‘Invisible Man’ within the modern urban environment, while employing the influences of artists Aaron Douglas, Barkley L. Hendricks and Romare Bearden. I’m not an activist or photojournalist, I am an artist who is passionate about the perception of the people within my diaspora.
Instagram || Facebook || Vsco
Omar Robles
My first connection with visual storytelling was in fact through the art of mime theatre. I had then the privilege of studying under the tutelage of Marcel Marceau at L’École Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris Marcel Marceau. Later, as I went to college to acquire my B.A in Communications and Arts, I discovered in photography a new way of telling stories without words. With photography however, I could immortalize the moments for a little longer. I have since explored as many areas of photography as I possibly can. Amongst all, I’ve found an immense passion for photojournalism. Some of my clients include lifestyle magazines Latino Leaders , Metro San Juan & most recently the Chicago Tribune’s Hispanic publication Hoy.
Instagram || Website
by Bridgette | May 19, 2014 | Bridgette S, Featured Articles
We Are Juxt Rewind: this article was originally published July 29, 2013
———————————————————————
What if you had the chance to drop everything and travel the world? That’s what Joe and Kevin did a month ago when they decided to explore the USA and meet Instagramers across the country.
I was lucky enough to meet them both, thanks to Scott and Susan, over at Gas Works Park here in Seattle last week. I got word from Scott the day before their arrival that they would be in town.
“Face Off” by Susan – Seattle, WA
To be honest, I hadn’t been following their #roundaboutusa adventures but once I heard about it, I had to look through the gallery. I read about their meetups with photographers they met along the way but what really drew me to them was this story by Breanna Mueller:
“Lately I have been following along a journey of two amazing photographers and Instagramers who are making their way across the US. Every day is a beautiful new place, picture and story that leaves me feeling as if I were there along with them. Thank you @sittingingodspalm and @sweatengine for taking the Instagram world and myself along with you thru #roundaboutusa. Following your inspiration, I will attempt the same on my mini 10 day journey up the Chesapeake Bay on board the 52 foot GB3. Although my journey and overnight stays are planned, I hope I still find some adventure along the way just as you have, on my own #roundaBOATusa :] My first instagram video of our wake departing from the Lynnhaven inlet. Hope you’ll come along with me… calm winds and following seas.. xoxo”
So awesome, isn’t it?!
“All American” by Bethany – Seattle, WA
Being from the east coast myself, I found an instant connection between them. I wanted the world to see and listen to what they had to say so I asked if they would take part in an impromptu interview. Needless to say I was stoked when they accepted the idea!
The following is my first video interview so bear with me… I tried to edit it as best as possible ;]
As a special tribute, photographers across the USA were kind enough to send me their favorite image of their meet-up with Joe and Kevin which you’ll see throughout this article – pretty spectacular!
These are for you, guys! Continue to follow your dreams!
——————–
B: Bridgette // J: Joe // K: Kevin
B: How has traveling together been so far?
J: So far, traveling has been very easy for us. We’ve been able to get along very well, and surprisingly, we still like each other!! The funniest part of this is, we met only 2 weeks before we decided to go on this two month trip together. So, I’m amazed that not only do we not want to strangle each other, but we actually work so well together, that it would seem we’ve been friends for years.
K: Traveling together has taught me a lot. Every decision on this trip has been a group decision – and this something I had to get used to. Other than that, it has been a major blast since our departure from New York City. The trip has evolved into something way more meaningful and dynamic than had anticipated.
“Joe and Kevin’s first visit to the very small town of Columbia City, Indiana .
From the first day of this groups meeting, long-term friendships began.” by Dave
B: What have you learned about each other?
J: What I’ve learned about Kevin, is that now, he feels free. I’ve been lucky enough to have done a lot of the things we’ve been doing, traveling, jumping out of planes, cliff jumping, etc.. He has not. So to see this new found, childlike, zest for life, it actually is quite endearing. I’ve also noticed how driven, passionate, creative, thoughtful, and sensitive he is. I can see how he is searching for not only the perfect sunset, sunrise, or cityscape, but he is also looking and hoping that he will find the one, who he can call his own. He’s a very sweet guy.
K: I had only known Joe for 2 weeks prior to this trip. But from his photographs I thought he would be my perfect “partner in crime” for this trip. And I’m glad I was right about that.
During our time together, I’ve gotten to know Joe very well. He’s driven (pun intended), focused, and adventurous. His energy and enthusiasm pushed me to places I would never thought of going. Joe’s very vocal about making the most out of every minute – so that’s definitely a major contribution to this trip’s success.
“J0-bombs-Joe Murray style!” with Jolene – Columbia City, IN // Photo by Kevin
B: Has this trip been what you’ve expected? What has surprised you the most?
J: This trip has taken on a life of it’s own. It’s been incredible. I originally was supposed to take this trip alone. I had an Investor who was willing to give me a lot of money to take a lot of pictures of landscapes, and my bike. I was going to write a book, and he was going to push it. When I met Kevin, he told me how much he dreamed of doing what I was about to do, and I said, “come along.” When I went back to the Investor, he didn’t like the idea of us going together, because we would have a lot of the same shots, which would make images harder to sell. I was sort of forced into an ultimatum. The money, or Kevin. I took Kevin. We put our savings together, and decided to live out our dream. We originally thought this trip was about pictures. It evolved quickly into something more. The people. The people is what made this trip worth while. The connections, and relationships we have made, are more important than any picture I have, or could have taken.
K: Absolutely not. This trip is much, much more than anything I had in mind. Initially my plan was to explore and experience some of the most beautiful places this country has to offer. I wanted to go home with unique, refreshing photographs that are worthy of being put in a portfolio or photo album. And I also wanted to meet people and get to know their stories.
“Into The Unknown” by Ryan – Chicago, IL
B: What cities have you been to so far?
K: We’ve visited many major cities along the way since our departure from New York. Some of the most memorable ones include New Port, Augusta, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Jackson Hole, Seattle, and Portland.
“Touch and Go” by Ivan Vega – Chicago, IL
B: Where do you plan to go next?
J: After today, we will head to San Francisco, to hopefully get into the Instagram Headquarters. What we’ve realized, now a month in, is that this whole trip would be nothing without Instagram. It’s amazed us each, and every day, how the community that makes up Instagram, has skyrocketed our idea, of living for today, and getting out of your comfort zone, to live that life you’ve always wanted to live. So, we want the people of Instagram, to know that because of the community they’ve created, they’ve helped in changing our lives. We want to work with them, to push others to do the same. This way, everyone can just be a little happier!
“In Instagram We Trust” by Jason Peterson – Chicago, IL
B: Tell us about Skydive Chicago and any other adventurous things you’ve done.
J: My whole life I’ve been extremely adventurous. This is a trait I attribute to my beautiful Mother Sallie. I was always climbing trees to the highest, most brittle branch, climbing mountains with no ropes or nets, jumping from cliffs into clear and murky waters, skydiving, etc. I’ve always been that type. So, adventure has always been very important to me as a way of life. I need it to feel happy.
I thought I had it all figured out until I realized I actually didn’t, back in Chicago. I was taught a valuable lesson from the crew Skydive Chicago. They made us seem like being there, was just the perfect way of life. I walked through the Hangar, day one, after a long drive, tired, sweaty, probably frowning, while everyone inside had a smile, ear to ear. I quickly realized why. For them, this was heaven.
Skydive Chicago is very unique in the sense that it actually is a community. Not only can you camp there, but the people who work there, live there. What I quickly realized, is that these people, were no different than me. They were chasing something, and that something was happiness. No matter what it was, all they wanted to do was jump. I asked Alex, head of Marketing, what they did in the wintertime so that they can keep that happy grin, and he replied, “we chase the summer.” That quote is going to stick with me forever, and I’ll mold it to make sense for me, and my life. They’re travelers, thrill seekers, but most importantly, they’re ALIVE. I’ve skydived before in New Jersey, but this place was different. This place opened my eyes. It reminded me what I was here for, why I decided to leave everything behind. It’s because in order to really be happy, you need to find that passion, whatever it may be, and fight tooth and nail, to make it your life. I walked out with a better understanding of what I already thought I understood, and it makes me think, now that I’m following my dream, the “sky” is no longer the limit.
“A Skydive Chicago Sunset” by Holly – Ottowa, IL
K: Skydive Chicago has changed my life in a drastic way that was completely foreign to me. Never before had I imagined jumping off a plane at 13,500 feet above sea level. I was so eager to try yet extremely hesitant about it.
I can’t say I remember much of it to be honest. For the first few seconds after jumping off the plane, my body was in a state of total denial and confusion. I was disoriented, shocked, and overwhelmed by the foreign sensation of free-falling. The sensory overload was an experience I can’t properly describe – yet I’m sure I’ll remember it forever.
There have been many exhilarating moments like this throughout the trip. For example, I went cliff jumping for the first time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. That was similar to skydiving in terms of free-falling, yet completely different because of the intensity of diving into Phelps Lake at the end.
Photo by Sam Bakshian – Minneapolis, MN
B: Where do you sleep? How do you find places to stay? Do you pre-book?
J: The sleeping issue is one that has become a complete different way of life for us. I was used to sleeping in a nice, comfy queen size bed, waking up to a nice breakfast, and hot cup of coffee. I miss those days, haha! Now we do a lot of camping, and sleeping out of the car. Before I met Kevin, my idea for this trip was to live very simply. I wanted to see how I could survive, living with nothing but the clothes on my back, sort of, and out of my car. I soon realized that the idea I had, was a better, more glamorous story, than what reality has shown. Kevin still laughs, because I actually am very comfortable sleeping out of my car. I don’t know why that is, but its true! We often will pay for a camp site, and he will use his tent, snuggled up cozy in his sleeping bag, and I will very comfortably sleep out of the drivers seat. This has occurred more often than not. I think it actually really bothers him that we are paying for the site, yet I sleep in the car, but to each his own. We will also, very often sleep in parking lots of hotels, and thanks to the community of Instagram, we’ve slept in many homes of people we don’t know, and even tented on people’s lawns! It hasn’t been the Ritz, but who needs the Ritz, when we’re meeting and experiencing all we have thus far. I don’t!
K: We have a large selection of lodging options – and by that I mean we don’t have any plans at all. Let me explain what I mean.
This unsponsored trip is largely based on serendipity and kindness of others. With the help of Instagram and other social media – we have been invited to people’s homes or backyards where we’d camp. Because our funds are limited and our budget is extremely tight, we have yet to stay at a hotel. I’d say camping in a campground once every few days is what we’ve been able to afford. And there have been times when we slept in our car (mid-size SUV) for 2~3 days in a row.
The way we’d connect to people is that we’d often announce our arrival or plans prior to entering a city or location. We would ask if anyone wants to hang out and show us around, and we’d tell them our stories and about our trip. Quite often people would come forward and offer lodging suggestions after getting to know us. And there have been times when complete strangers opened their doors to us as well.
“CAUTION” by Kevin Kuster – Chicago, IL
B: How are you documenting your travels? Where can we find your images and videos?
J: In order to see our pictures, you can find them on Instagram, by either our names – @sittingingodspalm (me) or @sweatengine (Kevin), or you can find each shot of ours from this trip under the hashtag #ROUNDABOUTUSA. We both have a passion for pictures, and I have always had a passion for writing. You can read all about our daily adventures on each post that we show. What I’ve noticed, and Kevin agrees, is that he is an Outstanding Visionary. He sees the picture way before he takes it. That makes him, in my opinion, the better photographer out of the two of us. I learn something new from him every, single day. When it comes to writing, I find that to be more my passion. Together, we are a great team, because we both bring a different passion to the table, which helps us reach greater heights each day.
“Cheese Balls” by Kevin Kuster – Chicago, IL
B: Have you traveled outside of the USA? If so, which was your favorite place to visit?
J: I have never been out of the country. My dream though, is to see the world the way it was meant to be seen. Not through others pictures, or stories (though others’ journeys are what inspire me), but through my own experiences. I want to live everything first hand. The world is way to big for me, or for any of us to stay put. This trip is step one of a thousand. I cant wait for step 2!
K: I haven’t been out of USA for about 20 years – believe it or not. And this is my first time traveling since entering my adulthood. I would love to spend a lot more time seeing this country if I had another opportunity like this. And also I want to see the rest of the world one day.
“May your travels be safe, and your adventures wild.” by Eric Mueller – Minneapolis, MN
B: What’s the meaning behind your usernames: @sittingingodspalm & @sweatengine?
J: A lot of people often have asked me why I chose @sittingingodspalm as my username. The truth is, @Joe was taken. So, I went with my second choice. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become very faithful, in the sense that I feel that everything happens for a reason. I don’t believe things happen by chance, I do feel I’m part of a plan that I will never be able to predict or understand, so I’m going to go with the flow. The “flow” is the Palm Of God. It doesn’t matter what God you believe in to me. It doesn’t matter what higher power you believe in either. To me its all the same. God will put me where he wants me, so in the mean time, I’m sitting in his palm, waiting for him to place me.
K: Prior to this trip, I was a biomedical engineer, designing orthopedics devices. I am also very passionate marathon runner. When I signed up for Twitter, I picked @sweatengine because I’m a sweaty (from running) engineer. Here’s something funny about my username: someone once thought I was “Sweet Eugene”.
“Little Bro Lu” by Kristin – Minneapolis, MN
—–
“Had the pleasure of meeting up with two inspiring IGers who are living the dream and traveling around these great United States. I’m still amazed at how @instagram is bringing so many interesting and wonderful people together.
Have a great and safe rest of your trip @sittingingodspalm and @sweatengine!”
by Matt Treiber – East Calhoun Beach, MN
—–
“~ lights, camera, action! ~” by Michael – The Badlands, South Dakota
This was a Behind the Scenes look at me getting a shot of Joe setting up his shot of me on that windmill.
Joe’s gallery has the final product.
And Kevin was the consummate DP on the set.
—–
“Insta Pals” by Bridgette Shima – Seattle, WA
—–
“Union Station Hangout” by Fayth – Chicago, IL
—–
[ Gold Stars, Part 2 ] by Dana Marie – Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN
—–
“Rise Above” by Eric – Toledo, OH
—–
Joseph D’Amelio 3rd
Bio:
Joe is from NJ, the only boy, and youngest of four, with three older sisters. He currently lives out of a 2013 Ford Edge. While in NJ he was working as a Butcher, trying to be a NYC Police Officer, but decided to leave everything behind to live the “American Dream,” to see the world through his eyes.
A personal message from Joe:
“I’d really like to mention, that the generosity of people has been incredible. The Relationships I’ve made through this trip, has blown my mind. For us, the trip really took off in Ohio. A fellow IGer, Eric (@Littlecoal), let us not only camp on his lawn, not only show us all his favorite spots to shoot, but he also introduced us to a few really good guys. Dave (@Kewiki), Kevin (@KevinKuster) and Jason (@JasonMPeterson). These four guys have pushed this trip so much for us. Eric made us feel like we were a part of his family. He is a very faithful good person, and to me felt like a big brother. Dave took us skydiving with his amazing family, who also made me feel like I was a brother, rather than a stranger he had just met. I wish we could have spent more time with Kevin, who featured us, and our story on his feed, along with giving us a ton of advice. Jason is a powerhouse. He has pushed this trip more than we have, hooking us up with more people to meet, and for me, he’s been a bit of a mentor. These four guys, have made this trip better than it ever possibly could’ve been. My favorite city thus far has been Chicago. They welcomed us with open arms. @Ivanvega, @relaxocat, @brandonexplores, @ryanpostal… these people made us feel like family. I miss them.
What I came to see, is that though I occasionally miss home (always miss my family), I often miss people who I’ve met along the way, and who I only knew for a day, or two. That amazes me more than anything else. This trip for me is just the beginning, I want everyone to live the way Im living, through their own eyes, and experiences. I would never say, “everyone should quit their jobs” to do what we do, but taking a day, or weekend trip, and step out of their comfort zone, to do things they’ve never done before, I feel would make the world a little warmer, a little happier.”
Email // Instagram
—–
Kevin Lu
Bio:
Kevin Lu is a biomedical engineer and marathon runner from New Jersey. He loves photography and enjoys outdoors activities. He’s left everything behind and taken a huge leap of faith to be on this road trip around USA, in hopes of inspiring people to see and experience the world differently.
Tel: 201-696-5366 // Email // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram
by Anna Cox | Feb 5, 2014 | Anna Cox, Featured Articles
Most of you know I was born and raised in Kentucky. I have a deep love for my home state and am more than a little proud of the bluegrass area. I have traveled all over the world in my thirty some years but I still think Kentucky is one of the most lovely places to be on any given day. The last year has really seen a rise in Kentuckians using social sharing platforms and while going from one username to the next I stumbled upon the Kentucky Project. What I love about this project is that it couples the beauty of an area with the issues that are affecting Kentuckians. I hope you enjoy this quick look into my home state and take the time to explore the Kentucky Project- Anna
A: First things first Chris, tell us a little about you away from social platforms
C:I am 30 years old. I was born and raised in Kentucky. I‘ve lived here my entire life, except during a failed month-long pilgrimage during which I lived in Florida. I am the oldest of eight brothers and sisters. I married the love of my life this past May and couldn’t be happier. I am somewhat of a serial hobbyist but I usually focus on playing guitar, exploring the outdoors, and photography. I camp whenever I can. I try to play guitar every day. And photography usually fits somewhere in between. I do also have a day job dispatching trucks at a moving company. It is less than fulfilling.
A: What spawned the idea to do the Kentucky Project?
C: The Kentucky Project came about somewhat by accident. First I started the Kentuckygram Instagram account, which had a pretty simple premise: to share pretty pictures of Kentucky. That got such a great response that I started thinking, hmm, what else can I do with this? I soon realized that this was an opportunity to do something good for my home state. There were issues in the state that I had heard about through unconventional sources. For example, I learned about mountaintop removal, a method of coal mining that is literally destroying mountains and causing health problems in Appalachia, at a folk music festival. I had heard of the heroin problem through word of mouth; from friends that it had affected both directly and indirectly. But I wasn’t seeing these topics prevalent in the local media. So, I decided to create a website based off the idea of sharing Kentucky’s beauty and culture through photography but also raise awareness of important Kentucky issues that may be falling through the cracks. I have a friend from high school , Amanda Joering, that used to write for the Cincinnati Enquirer. I asked her if she would write a series for the projectcovering the heroin problem in Northern Kentucky, which is unfortunately spreading to other parts of the state. She was excited to write the series and has been a really big help not only with her articles but her ideas for the project.
A: What do you hope to accomplish?
C: I hope that the Kentucky Project can be truly helpful in both raising awareness and helping to create positive change. Right now, the plan is to continue publishing articles and taking photographs that show all the great things aboutKentucky while shining a spotlight on issues that could benefit from some more attention. This includes the countless natural wonders throughout the state and great businesses and organizations that are helping their communities. I am active every day on social media, making phone calls, writing, planning, and sending emails in an effort to build an online community around the Kentucky Project. The more people that I can get to “like” our facebook page, follow the blog, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, the more people will hear the messages of the organizations that we are trying to help and learn about the issues on which we are reporting. It’s really all about creating a community of people that care about Kentucky.
A: What are some of the issues you would like to highlight?
C: I already mentioned our series covering the heroin epidemic, and we have more articles in that series planned. But, that series could turn into coverage on other drug problems in the state. Meth is another problem in parts of the state and that doesn’t seem to be getting any better, so I am sure we will address that issue. I am working on research to do a series on the obesity problem in our state, and really our nation. Kentucky is one of the most obese states in the country! We are in the top 10. Now, I recognize that there is debate on the legitimacy of using BMI to measure/define obesity, but when one looks at the upward trend in the statistics, and the correlation between an increase in obesity and an increase in diabetes and other diet related diseases, the data becomes hard to ignore. A related issue that will be addressed is hunger in our state, which will include people that don’t have access to quality whole foods (food deserts), and also people that don’t get enough food at all. Other issues that we plan to cover include the complex problems in Eastern Kentucky, which we have already touched on with our article on the recent SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Summit, and education and youth development. Investing in the youth of Kentucky is essential and is how, I believe, we can make a greater and sustained impact on the future of our state.
A: How do you think photography will enrich your project?
C: Photography is really the cornerstone of the project. The whole idea was based on photography and I intend to continue to use it to emphasize the mood behind each issue or topic. You’ll never see an article posted without a photo to accompany it. I also post a photo taken somewhere in Kentucky at least once a day Monday through Friday to the Instagram account. It enriches the project by amplifying the impact. The written word is powerful, but when paired with a striking photo, I believe, it is even stronger. Right now I take all the photos for the Kentucky Project, but I’m finding it difficult to keep up. I would love to continue to be the sole photographer simply because I enjoy it so much. I love travelling to other parts of the state to capture the sights, but if it gets to the point where I need some help I’ll consider finding one or two other photographers who share the values of the Kentucky Project to help me out. I live in Northern Kentucky so I’d probably look for someone in the far eastern part of the state and someone in the far west to balance out the coverage.
A: Do you have any existing partnerships with existing groups in Kentucky?
C: While there haven’t been any formal partnerships made at this point, we have worked with Drug Free NKYto raise awareness for their fight against heroin. People can get involved by donating money to them, which can be done directly from their website or by spreading their message by word of mouth or through social media. Sharing links to their site or facebook page, or sharing our articles about their cause, which includes links to their website and page, really helps spread the word. Social media is an amazing tool for spreading this type of message. In the future we hope to partner with more organizations to raise continued awareness to a number of different causes. We have been contacted by several organizations that would like the added exposure and are currently discussing ideas, doing interviews, and writing for the website.
A: How do you think stereotypes from media, like the show Justified, have impacted our state? I have definitely been asked by some of my West Coast friends if I own a tractor.
C: I’ve never seen the show Justified, but yeah the stereotypes for Kentucky in general are often inaccurate, and sometimes even insulting. I’m from Northern Kentucky so my upbringing may have been different from people in other parts of the state. I lived in a subdivision; not out in the sticks but certainly not in a big city either. My parents never owned a tractor like your friend thinks all Kentuckians do, but I worked on my cousin’s farm occasionally growing up so, I was often around farm life. In my opinion, people seem to have a difficult time separating fact from fiction, and they tend to believe what they want to believe. So, if a fictional TV show makes KY, or any other place for that matter, look or feel a certain way, then people’s opinions on that place are almost certainly influenced. Honestly, It’s hard to comment on this because I am on the inside looking out. I’m not entirely sure what people in different parts of the country think of Kentucky. So, we are not setting out to break down the stereotypes. I don’t think the people that believe the stereotypes will have much of an interest in the Kentucky Project. For all I know, the Kentucky Project may even strengthen some of those stereotypes. That’s because while, sharing the beauty and culture, we are also spotlighting some of the problems in Kentucky. But, everyone in KY isn’t on heroin, everyone in KY isn’t obese, everyone in Eastern KY isn’t unemployed, but the fact is that too many are and that’s what we are aiming to break down; the problems, not the stereotypes.
A:Do you have any specific stories to share with our readers?
C: I don’t have a specific story to tell as The Kentucky Project is young and with our launch in November 2013 and development in December we have laid the groundwork for 2014, which will be our first full year in existence. People can expect to see lots more Kentucky photos, more Kentucky culture, and most importantly information on the Kentuckyissues that we will address so we can all work together to make Kentucky, which is already great, even better. If anyone knows of an issue that is affecting Kentuckians that could benefit from greater awareness, please let us know about it.
// email // web // IG //
