the architecture of a life and lifestyle

This is like moving into a new house, and I’m just too exhausted to fill any more rooms. The foundation is laid well… the structure is complete. Now it’s time to just let it evolve and take shape into whatever it becomes… just like my evolution.

So what am I doing? I’m shooting and designing, designing and shooting. I’ve been here over two years, trying to make my way in Michigan after a nice stay in Chicago. I came back to reacquaint with my family and modestly help my mom out with stuff, to discover that a sinking economy was doing it’s best to throw me overboard. I shot a story about it, but growing bitterness and toxic arrogance combined with depleted self worth, and it became overwhelming. Heavy, huh? I played it out like a child, and I didn’t find where I was hiding until I spoiled great love.

So what do you do? I guess you tear down the walls, take a good look at the structure, draft a solid plan and rebuild.

The Michigan duress is unique to no one… well, maybe not everyone feels it, but there’s plenty going around. It is tough here, but I’m lucky enough to get out in the woods or on a lake every once in a while. By choice I’ve decided to live the dream of most twelve year olds and sleep outside in a tent every night for the summer. Night air and the birds are on queue at 5am. I build fires. Thunderstorms rule. My brother said that if I move the router upstairs, I could probably get a wifi signal out there. Wouldn’t that be lame… updates from Shanty Town.

Don’t let my mild pessimism fool you. There’s much to look forward to here. Humanfiles just vows to be as honest as the photos I make, and just as much of the world’s ugliness will be on display here as the beauty. Humanfiles will be a bumpy ride on a two-track in the dark, but the things we’ll find… here’s pulling for beauty!

Somebody asked me the other day if photography was a hobby. I said, “No, it’s a lifestyle.” By the lines in my forehead, I swear, it’s a lifestyle.

I hope you come back to see where it goes.