The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own. I am drawn to personal projects that have an interesting vision or that show something I have never seen before. In this thread, I’ll include a link to each personal project with the artist statement so you can see more of the project. Please note: This thread is not affiliated with any company; I’m just featuring projects that I find. Please DO NOT send me your work. I do not take submissions.
Today’s featured artist: Chad Holder
The same street, the same drive into the studio, the same everyday- everything begins to look the same. Egypt was a journey of discovery and exploring how I see when I am simply shooting for myself, I call it having fresh eyes. By leaving behind the familiar surroundings of home, to open myself up to new experiences and perspective. In a foreign place, every sight, sound, and texture are novel, and this sense of novelty can awaken the senses. Moreover, the beauty and wonder of new landscapes and natural features can be inspiring and evoke a sense of reverence and gratitude for the world around us. Making pictures is more than a job- it’s something that feeds my soul.
Making pictures feeds my soul.
The routine of everyday life can start to feel monotonous. The same street, the same drive to the studio, everything can begin to look and feel the same. That’s why traveling to Egypt was such a game-changer for me. It was a chance to break out of my familiar surroundings and explore how I see things when I’m simply shooting for myself. Being in a foreign place was so refreshing because everything was new and exciting. Every sight, sound, and texture felt novel, and this really stimulated my senses and sparked new ideas. Plus, meeting people from different cultures and seeing new landscapes helped me gain a deeper understanding of the world and my place in it. For me, making pictures is more than just a job- it’s something that feeds my soul.
When a photographer travels to another part of the world to view it with fresh eyes, they are embarking on a journey of discovery and exploration. By leaving behind the familiar surroundings of their home, they open themselves up to new experiences and perspectives that can enrich their creative vision. In a foreign place, every sight, sound, and texture are novel, and this sense of novelty can awaken the senses and stimulate new ideas. The photographer may also encounter people, cultures, and landscapes that are vastly different from their own, and this exposure can broaden their understanding of the world and their place in it. Ultimately, by viewing a new part of the world with fresh eyes, the photographer may be able to capture images that are truly unique and that capture the essence of the place in a way that no one else has.
In addition to expanding their creative vision and capturing unique images, traveling to another part of the world to view it with fresh eyes can also feed the soul of the photographer. The act of traveling can be invigorating and rejuvenating and can provide a much-needed break from the routine and stresses of daily life. Experiencing new cultures and meeting new people can also be incredibly enriching and can broaden the photographer’s perspective on the world. Moreover, the beauty and wonder of new landscapes and natural features can be awe-inspiring and can evoke a sense of reverence and gratitude for the world around us. All of these experiences can nourish the soul and deepen the photographer’s connection to the world and to themselves.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that the photographer who travels to view the world with fresh eyes is often an optimist who seeks out the beauty and goodness in the world around them. This type of photographer is not deterred by the challenges or difficulties that come with travel, but instead sees them as opportunities for growth and discovery. They approach each new experience with an open mind and heart and are often rewarded with moments of beauty and connection that can be captured through their lens. By focusing on the positive aspects of the world and the people in it, this type of photographer is able to create images that reflect the best of humanity and inspire hope and joy in others.
To see more of this project, click here.
APE contributor Suzanne Sease currently works as a consultant for photographers and illustrators around the world. She has been involved in the photography and illustration industry since the mid 80s. After establishing the art-buying department at The Martin Agency, then working for Kaplan-Thaler, Capital One, Best Buy and numerous smaller agencies and companies, she decided to be a consultant in 1999. She has a Twitter feed with helpful marketing information because she believes that marketing should be driven by brand and not by specialty. Follow her at @SuzanneSease. Instagram
Success is more than a matter of your talent. It’s also a matter of doing a better job presenting it. And that is what I do with decades of agency and in-house experience.