Visionarie: Our Lens, Our Story

Keiko, Korin and their son Eukiah,
Left plate 2020, right plate 2022
Ambrotype on clear glass (wet-plate collodion process)
8x10" each

The Caregivers weaves together a narrative of participation, placemaking, and world-building, in public space, looking at the politics of family and intimacy that I began looking to during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Foregrounding the asymmetrical burden placed on women, this series of portraits was made in my Philadelphia neighborhood with an 8x10 analog film camera, the wet plate collodion process, and my back patio as well as the sidewalk in front of my home. The work depicts a racially diverse community and highlights the role of caretakers in both straight and queer families, and the emotional and physical labor of caretaking as a radical act. 

I conspire with my neighbors in numerous sessions to tell intimate stories of how they cherish, uphold, and safeguard each other. Through gesture, expression, the placement of bodies, and the manipulation of perspective, I depict a range of families: nuclear, one-parent, and intergenerational. 

All subjects have been gifted a plate as a remembrance of this exchange.

Lori, Sean and their daughter, Evie,
Left plate 2021, right plate 2022
Ambrotype on clear glass (wet-plate collodion process)
8x10" each

For more information about Maurene, please visit:

hmcooper.com

vanitytintype.com

I am a Philadelphia-based, self-taught photographer and creative. My journey into photography began about seven years ago, where I learned the fundamentals of photography through street and landscape photography. In 2022, I began revisiting my love of photography and slowly honing my craft as I transitioned towards a focus in creative portraiture. My objective in photography is to illustrate our unique, human-centered stories and to capture how we evolve, iterate, and strive to exist through space and time. My overall goal is to inspire us to move through the world with grace, freedom, love, compassion, authenticity, and a sense of gratitude.

Dannie, 2023           Dimetri, 2022
Pigment Print.         Pigment Print

Ghost, 2023            Dannie II, 2023
Pigment Print         Pigment Print

For more information about Jeffrey, please visit:

iterationscreative.com

I am a photographer and graphic designer from Philadelphia artistically known as Arekusn (ah-rec-kuh-shun). Always wanting to intentionally shed light on the unique stories of humanity, I pride myself on maintaining an artistry brand built on three simple things: faith, hope, and love. 

In this collection of self-portraits, I explore the term stillness and stride as I navigate my artistic, mental, physical, and spiritual journey. Each image encapsulates one of the 2 “S” principles that I have embraced in this season of my life to find balance and harmony.

Stillness is at the core of my creative process. Through these self-portraits, I seek to capture moments of quietude and introspection. They serve as reminders to slow down, to be present, and to connect with my inner self. In the stillness, I find the inspiration and clarity that fuels my artistic expression.

Stride represents more than mere physical movement; it embodies a deliberate and purposeful way of walking. Walking allows us to slow down and appreciate the subtle details that often go unnoticed. It prompts us to engage our senses, to feel the ground beneath our feet and to breathe.

Together, these self-portraits invite viewers into my personal exploration of what stillness and stride look like to me. They serve as a reflection of my commitment to finding balance and harmony in all aspects of my life. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to embrace these principles and embark on their own transformative journeys of self-discovery and growth.

Stillness, 2023
Pigment Print 

Stride, 2023
Pigment Print

For more information about Anna, please visit:

arekusn.com

I am a portrait photographer, artist, curator, author, and educator. Bullet the Blue Sky is a series of distressed cyanotype flags symbolizing some embodied experiences of the false promises and contradictions of American culture. 

Bullet the Blue Sky: Flag 3 is a representation of AR-15 and 9mm guns used to not only symbolize the American militia groups who, under the banner of the American Flag, operate without punity and are the guns often used in mass killings throughout the U.S., but also to represent the guns used flagrantly in the senseless killings of people of color throughout the U.S.

Bullet the Blue Sky: Flag 03, 2021 
Distressed Flag Series
Cotton American Flag Cyanotypes

Bullet the Blue Sky: Flag 5 - 37 Pregnancy Tests is a representation of the 36 months that I tried to become pregnant and the last month in which my husband left me. The pressures to have children are not only heavy and intense inside U.S. culture, but especially so within an Italian-American family. It is a philosophical undercurrent that women are meant to be mothers and take care of the home. It is this servitude, from my experience, that canonizes most Italian women into the family’s memories. I have been eliminated from this possibility.

Bullet the Blue Sky: Flag 04 37 
Pregnancy Tests, 2022
Distressed Flag Series
Cotton American Flag Cyanotypes

For more information about Jackie, please visit:

archive.jackiephoto.com

In each of my series, my process in making work deals mainly with photography, line drawing, and digital technology. The work has always had an underlining play in dimensions. When making photographs for a particular series, I think about looking at something 360° to gain the best perspective for the final shot. After the photograph has been made it then become flat or two-dimensional. I’ve always been intrigued as to how I can then manipulate either the space before or after to alter perception. This new series acts like a visual diary in combining interest in photography and design as well as dimensions. I am using organic photographs mixed with geometric shapes to create a feeling that has balance as well as some tension through containment. I like the idea of containing the ferns first in the photographic rectangle then using the shapes to allow them to break apart the picture plane.

Two, 2023
Rice Paper
Archival pigment print
 

Three, 2023
Rice Paper
Archival pigment print

Nine, 2023
Rice Paper
Archival pigment print

For more information about Jill, please visit:

jillgallowaysherman.com

I am a Philadelphia based artist, educator and organizer. Working with installations incorporating photography, sculpture, video and performance, my work explores the intersection of self-help and spirituality. 

In a world where we are disconnected, overworked and overly anxious, I am interested in the potential benefits offered by fringe and counter-culture spiritual and healing practices. Currently fascinated with hypnosis, positive thinking, and color healing, I have been making installations which include sound-scapes, animation and 3-D lenticular photographs. I study the allure to non-scientific healing and spiritual practices where it is suggested that finding enlightenment could happen with ease.

Growing up in a home where each week presented a new miracle cure, I like to flirt with the possibility that my shortcomings can be solved with the aid of a pair of green-colored glasses or by sitting inside of a hand-made pyramid placed in the living room. While for decades I rejected these ideas, I am interested in the dreams offered by the emotional highs of a quick fix. What if we could become hypnotized and wake up perfectly healthy and happy? Even if we cannot, many of these practices offer the potential for slowing down and connecting with one another or even just looking at the world around us from a different perspective.

Healing Holograms, 2018
Vibrational Holographic Healing RGB
Lenticular lens and archival inkjet print

For more information about Julia, please visit:

juliastaples.com

My What Remains series of work is concerned with ideas of home and dislocation, as well as with the impact of architecture on human psychology. As an ethnically Latvian/Lithuanian artist, my cultural background has informed this interest in architecture. During the Soviet era, the capitals of both Latvia and Lithuania saw cultural buildings repurposed into warehouses and churches demolished. The old town centers were neglected and fell into decay. New construction was cheaply made, with no insulation and inadequate plumbing and heating. My connection to this history has made me acutely aware of the impact of politics on architecture and, in turn, on a people’s daily lived experience. I started to consider the effect of architecture on the tens of thousands of refugees, my parents included, who escaped a life under communism but went years without a permanent home. In recent years I have visited Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to further understand this turbulent time in my family’s history and to photograph the architecture there. Many of the structures built during the Soviet occupation of the Baltic region still stand today. During this period, the Baltic people continued to practice art forms, such as weaving, to ensure that their traditions would survive despite the Soviet regime’s program of cultural suppression.

My recent work combines photographs of Soviet architecture in the Baltic region with traditional Baltic textile designs. I use a laser cutter to cut the textile patterns directly into my black and white photographs of the cold and imposing buildings. This series explores the power of folk art and crafts as a form of defiance against the Soviet occupiers. It does this by focusing on how traditional textile designs provide a counterpoint to Soviet-era architecture and the memory of its totalitarian agenda. The juxtaposition of concrete structures with folk art designs also references the strength and determination of the women who created the weavings. Overall, this work examines the ways in which people are shaped by their environment, and how they can rebel against it to preserve their identity and culture.

Left
What Remains 16, 2023
Laser cut pigment print

Right
What Remains 10, 2022
Laser cut pigment print

For more information about Krista, please visit:

kristasvalbonas.com

I am a multidisciplinary creative. Leveraging photography, I look to tell the stories of those around me. Through portraiture, I believe a wide range of emotions can be conveyed.

The images represented in this exhibition are portraits taken of individuals living in the Greater Philadelphia area. Their stories vary drastically, however, the level of emotion they evoke in their portrait is similar.

As these images were taken, the focus was to convey this emotion. Loneliness, contemplation, anger, youth. The choice of black and white was an attempt to strip away all unnecessary distractions in each image. The subject of each photo has a distinct gesture, and subsequently a distinct story that is personal to their current stage of life and emotional state. My hope is for viewers to connect their own personal story with one, or multiple, of these images.

Dyani Hairston, 2022.        After Party, 2022
Pigment print                     Pigment print

Elevate, 2023                     Janelyn Shiflett, 2023
Pigment print                     Pigment print

For more information about Dimetri, please visit:

forevermugen.org

My Story:

Jaylin Bradley is a 14 year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jaylin was inspired to begin learning photography by his father, who was an illustrator and writer. Jaylin’s father often photographed people, books, animals, and more. Jaylin’s mom is a major inspiration and supporter behind his work. Jaylin’s interest in photography, at the moment, is nature and animals - he enjoys capturing colorful photographs of flowers (which he’ll often send to his mom), cute moments, and how animals move through nature.

My Lens:

This collection of pictures shows the peacefulness of nature, which is really needed in Philadelphia today. The exhibit makes us think about how nature is different from the violence we see in our world. Nature is simple, connected, and calm, while our streets and communities face death and trauma. I hope my pictures remind people that they can find comfort in nature. When we appreciate nature, we can work towards peace, harmony, and a sense of responsibility together. Through my camera, I invite you to stop, think, and see the connection between our humanity and the peaceful world around us.

My Story: Through the Lens: A Photographic Journey of Resilience in Philadelphia

Growing up in Philadelphia, a city often dubbed as one of the worst places to live, I found myself navigating a complex tapestry of challenges, struggles, and triumphs. In the face of adversity, I discovered solace and empowerment through the art of photography. It became my medium to capture the essence of my loved ones, to honor their stories, their sacrifices, and their unwavering support that shaped me into the person I am today.

Philadelphia, with its stark socioeconomic disparities, high crime rates, and limited opportunities, presented numerous obstacles on my path to self-discovery and personal growth. But within the shadows of this concrete jungle, I witnessed the strength and resilience of the people who called this city home. Their stories, their struggles, and their unwavering determination ignited a flame within me, propelling me to document their lives through the lens of my camera. Photography became my voice—a powerful tool to share the untold narratives, to shed light on the beauty and resilience that often go unnoticed in the midst of chaos. 

Through my lens, I sought to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Philadelphia and its residents. I aimed to portray the vibrant spirit, the tight-knit communities, and the unyielding love that flourishes in the face of adversity. Each click of the shutter was an act of defiance against the notion that this city was solely defined by its struggles.

The camera became a bridge connecting me to their experiences, their emotions, and their unwritten histories. The act of photographing became a form of therapy - allowing me to process the complexities of growing up in a challenging environment while celebrating the love, joy, and beauty that was ever-present.

Through this photographic journey, I hope to inspire others to see beyond the surface, to recognize the humanity and resilience that exists within the so-called “worst” places. By sharing my perspective, I aim to challenge societal perceptions, foster empathy, and ignite conversations about the potential for growth, change, and revitalization.

My Lens:

Join me as I embark on this visual journey through Philadelphia, capturing the essence of my loved ones and revealing the profound stories of resilience that emerge from the cracks of adversity. Together, let us challenge the narrative, redefine perceptions, and celebrate the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

My Story: 

Growing up in Philadelphia, I always kept myself occupied rather than portray something that I am not, which is being in the streets. In high school I wanted to learn the basics of how to use a camera. Once I learned, I fell in love. It started off by just taking pictures in the school hallways. After I felt the flow, I took photos of the sports events at school. Eventually I started getting paid for it but money was never the objective. I use photography as an escape from the negativity in the real world and let it open my creativity. As I grow, I will continue to capture spontaneous moments for families and friends to bring them nothing but joy in the future. 

My Lens:

With my love for portrait photography, I hope to create images that go beyond the ordinary. Each portrait I capture is a unique composition with distinct characters, settings, and characteristics. I believe that a portrait should go beyond merely depicting a person; it should be a window into their world, revealing their individuality and story. Through my lens, I hope to capture portraits that transcend poses and show people engaged in meaningful motions that speak to their personalities and passions. By capturing these moments, I want to convey not only what the character is doing but also the emotions and essence they embody in that particular instance. I invite you to dive into the realm of portraits where each image is a gateway to a story, a reflection, and a celebration of the beauty that lives in every face.

My Story:

Makhi Johnson is a 19-year-old self taught sports photographer and videographer. He began to focus on photography as one of his many hobbies in August of 2022. Makhi has always had background knowledge of how to use a camera after taking multiple classes in school and watching other professionals. Makhi enjoys photographing basketball and football and capturing the memorable moments within games that many don’t have the opportunity to experience. He looks at all sports games as more than a game, “It’s the story behind every photograph.” When Makhi takes a photo of an athlete he looks to tell a story, whether it’s about the current game or the complete story behind the season.

My Lens:

As a photographer fascinated by the world of sports, my collection of images aims to go beyond the surface-level of sports and dive into the emotions, personal growth, and transformative power that they embody for young people. In each snapshot, I try to capture the physical game but also the underlying narratives that unfold throughout play. Sports serve as more than just games for young people; they are an outlet for emotional frustrations, a channel for personal development, and an alternative to physical violence. Through my lens, I hope to show how sports help young people to channel their energy and cultivate vital life skills that extend far beyond the boundaries of the game. The challenges they face on the field mirror the obstacles encountered in life. Each image tells a story about how sports has the capacity to shape lives and forge identities while providing safe spaces away from the streets.

My Story:

Naila Lopez is a junior at Mastery Pickett Charter School. Her favorite subjects are Biology and Physical Education. After graduating high school, she plans on attending the Community College of Philadelphia majoring in Sports Management. Some of her favorite hobbies include playing basketball and spending time with friends and family. Photography is a new hobby she picked up this year because it allows her to capture special moments, mostly about basketball.

My Lens:

My exhibition is focused on using the camera to show the challenges of the communities I live in, which are battling poverty and drugs. I want to share what gives me strength to hope for a better future. Basketball has become my safe place among all the struggles, giving me a break from the tough times. On the court, I find comfort, friendship, and a chance to chase my dreams. With basketball, I can break free from the limits of my neighborhood and experience the power of determination, discipline, and teamwork firsthand. These qualities go beyond the court and help me grow as a person.

My Story:

Symone McCray is a 14-year old sophomore who has four siblings and a loving and empowering mom who keeps her motivated every day. Symone’s dream is to graduate high school and go to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Symone is a new photographer who loves to capture moments and document her experiences through life.

My Lens:

My exhibition celebrates the importance of personal journeys. Through my lens, I explore my past and capture meaningful images that bring back memories that continue to influence who I am. Each photo is like a window to a special moment, showing how experiences can change us. I believe that our personal stories are valuable. They shape who we are and guide us to new places in life. Hopefully these photos inspire you to appreciate the importance of personal journeys – they are our unique paths that lead us to grow, learn, and understand the beauty of being human.

My Story:

Kyshir Montague, 14.

My Lens:

These photos were taken with models in Philadelphia to get more people interested in the clothing and style of people in the city. Street wear in Philadelphia allows people to express themselves in a unique way. These photos are a way to capture that visually.

My Story:

Tiyana Newsome is 16 years old and is a woman looking forward to her destiny.

My Lens:

I believe that you should take photos of everything, especially things that you’re passionate about, or things that you like, things that make you happy. I feel like photography could be for everyone because making a memory could go a long way. Most of my work is personal portraits. These photographs illustrate life and life events.