Uncharted - Embracing the Unknown
About a year and a half ago, I moved from Chicago to Vancouver, British Columbia. While I was immediately captivated by the surreal landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the Pacific Ocean, I also felt drawn to capture the life and energy of this new city I now call home.
I decided to shift gears and focus on creating a new body of work in the main artery of downtown Vancouver. This project aims to capture the vibrant chaos of the city, especially in the heart of Vancouver, where East Van and West Van collide in a striking contrast of demographics. It's here that you truly see the good, the bad, and the raw reality of urban life.
I've challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone, pushing myself to photograph strangers up close. This has not only been an artistic journey but also a personal one, as photography has become a tool for me to meet new people and form genuine connections in an unfamiliar city. Every shot has led to conversations, shared stories, and a deeper understanding of the community around me.
I've named this project "Uncharted". It's about embracing the unknown—moving to a new city, exploring a new country, and evolving my photography into a bridge that connects me to the people and culture of Vancouver.
How has your approach to street photography evolved since starting "Uncharted"?
Street photography is a relatively new endeavor for me. Coming from Chicago, you’d think I would’ve tried it sooner, but I never really made the effort. Since moving to Vancouver, my approach has changed a lot when I grab my camera and head downtown. One of the biggest shifts has been challenging myself to master zone focusing. It’s funny—lately, with my Nikon F3, I’ve started taking off the viewfinder, slipping it into my pocket, and framing my shots by looking down, almost like using a waist-level finder. It’s surprising how rarely people notice I’m taking a photo.
I’ve also started shooting more black-and-white film, to balance how often I fire the shutter with the rising cost of film. Despite the challenges, I’ve really enjoyed pushing myself and experimenting more this past year.
In what ways has this project helped you become more familiar and integrate into Vancouver's community and culture?
A project like this where you throw yourself in the mix of any city, getting out time and time again, you are putting yourself in a position to meet new people in general. You get a true sense of the city through its people and by having a large sum of the project having people as subjects, you really have no choice but to have your camera be a mechanism in creating new relationships. Weather I’m taking breaks from shooting at the local pub or just meeting people or even other photographers on the street, this project has made it much easier to adjust to my new surroundings.
How did this project help you process your own experience of moving to a new country?
Aside from making new connections with the locals, I’ve been able to put myself in a position to explore every nook and cranny of Vancouver. Yes - my main focus is the central part of downtown, but I have still done my fair share of exploring this new uncharted territory. As an American, I can taste the differences all around, however there are even more similarities. This project has played a huge role in helping me acclimate to my new surroundings.
