The Identity Project, a touching back story.

When I embarked on this visual journey, documenting the courageous and yes, sometimes the extroverts, willing to bare all for this photographic series, I felt that I had a series that was special in a variety of ways that resonated personally with me. What I was less aware of, at least in the beginning, was how the process I've created for the individuals to express themselves would be such a personal exploration for them.

The last thing I ask of each of the participants for this project is to answer this specific question, "What is the single most important thing that you would like people to know about you that isn't necessarily apparent by your physical presence or a brief casual conversation?  About a month ago I photographed a woman for this project and she emailed me her answer to this question. The answer was short, had a bit of humor and revealed as expected something I wouldn't have guessed was an aspect of her personality. It was interesting but nothing earth shattering.

Jump forward about a month and I get another email from this same woman today. It isn't a redo on her original answer to the question but it was a very courageous and heartfelt email explaining her reason for doing the project. Upon reading the email I was instantly surprised, enlightened and humbled by her words.

Hey Bill-

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how you helped me change my life. I kind of used you, in a good way. See I had a raging eating disorder for 13 years and was at a cross roads where i knew i wanted to change but was too scared to tell anyone or ask for help. Right around that time the opportunity to do your shoot came up. I told myself that if i could 'bare' myself in that way, be brave enough to do it, that i could also expose my secret to my husband. It would be a way for me to practice bravery and remember that time when i needed to be brave again. In a way it was also a snub at the bulimic part of me that abused my body for so long, putting it out there like that was not something the bulimic XXXXX was happy about. Two days after your shoot i did talk to my husband, then my mother and sister, mother in law and others. I am now on the road to recovering from a 13 year prison sentence and looking forward to my future. Things are already SO much better. Its so difficult but i know that eventually i will be able to completely let it go. I just felt that you deserved to know that sometimes our art touches others in ways that they couldn't imagine. 

Thank you again for, unbeknownst to you, being the catalyst in my recovery.

Best,

XXXXX

 

This email was published with her permission and her final thought,

    Absolutely! There are so many people that suffer with anorexia/bulimia/binge eating and it's such a secretive thing. If one other person saw it and gets anything from what I've suffered that would be worth it. I even encouraged the other girls on my online eating disorder bulletin board to do something similar as a exercise in self esteem and acceptance. I felt very empowered by the shoot and in a way it helped me make peace with my body, whatever size it is.  Share away! And send me a link.

 

 

Sometimes you begin a journey that becomes so much more than what you expected or hoped for. This is one of those journeys.

The Identity Project!

It's a wrap. I have enough volunteers to complete this fabulous series. I've currently photographed 22 beautiful individuals and have 12 more scheduled through July/August.

Thanks to all 34 individuals who came forward to be a part of this visual discovery. If you have become interested in the progress of this series I will be exhibiting the work in fall of 2013. Venue to be announced in the near future.

Visually,
William Zuback

The Identity Project, nearing the end

I could tell you how much fun you will have doing this shoot and project but why listen to me.

"Thank you so much for the invitation, we really enjoyed ourselves! Thank you and I look forward to future collaborations!"

"Very awesome-tastic day sir! I would love to work with you again!"

"You were great to work with last night! Thanks for the opportunity!"

I'm still looking for a few willing participants. All interested individuals are invited to contact me. I am looking for male and female, large and small, old (80+) and young (18), all races welcome to apply. Nudity is required for a portion of the shooting process. If you yourself are not interested in posing but know of someone that could be interested, please make them aware of this project. For your participation you will get a signed and matted print of the image I will exhibit.

Contact me if interested, wmzuback@williamzubackphotographs.com

Thanks.

The Identity Project! Are you on the fence?

Bill, What an extremely fun shoot! Can't wait to be in your coffee table book! Thank you for letting me be involved! Selena

There is still time and I still need individuals to step forward and volunteer for this project. Booked every weekend in July but I still have weeknight evening appointments available as well as August. Taking sittings through August and then the series will come to an end.

This series is about personal identity and how we are protected yet vulnerable based on our surroundings, clothes, etc. as well as how we are prejudged, compartmentalized and labeled based on the outside superficial aspects of our identity while not knowing the individual. 

Those who are willing to be photographed, it appears, go through their own process of discovery by their act of participation. 

I'm still looking for willing participants. All interested individuals are invited to contact me. I am looking for male and female, large and small, old (80+) and young (18), all races welcome to apply. Nudity is required for a portion of the shooting process. If you yourself are not interested in posing but know of someone that could be interested, please make them aware of this project. For your participation you will get a signed and matted print of the image I will exhibit.

Contact me if interested, wmzuback@williamzubackphotographs.com

Thanks.

The Identity Project, update

What a great week meeting and photographing four more people for this project. I continue to be amazed and humbled by the level and honesty of conversation that takes place during these sessions. What are people saying about this experience and project?
 "Thanks for letting me part of your project. You are a pro at what you do and I felt very comfortable doing the "shoot". Talk to you soon."


"Have a grooovy day friend William....you made my week ya know."


Looking forward to five more great experiences this week. There is still time and I still need individuals to step forward and volunteer for this project.

This series is about personal identity and how we are protected yet vulnerable based on our surroundings, clothes, etc. as well as how we are prejudged, compartmentalized and labeled based on the outside superficial aspects of our identity while not knowing the individual. 

Those who are willing to be photographed, it appears, go through their own process of discovery by their act of participation. 

I'm still looking for willing participants. All interested individuals are invited to contact me. I am in need of more male subjects especially in the mid to late age range and of different levels of fitness. But in general, I still need male and female, large and small, old (80+) and young (18), all races welcome to apply. Nudity is required for a portion of the shooting process. If you yourself are not interested in posing but know of someone that could be interested, please make them aware of this project. For your participation you will get a signed and matted print of the image I will exhibit.

Contact me if interested, wmzuback@williamzubackphotographs.com

Thanks.

What She Said: Wisconsin Photography Now

You still have two weeks to get to Sheboygan and Effjay Projekts to see the current exhibition, "What She Said: Wisconsin Photography Now". I co-curated this exhibition with Jessica Z Schafer for Frank Juarez, owner of Effjay Projekts. Represented in this exhibition are four outstanding artists, Jessica Kaminski, Jessie Eisner-Klyle, Nicole Malena Peaslee and Jenaille Northey.

Click below to read an insightful and honest review of this exhibition. Then head to Sheboygan, see the show and formulate your own thoughtful idea's.

Review of "What She Said: Wisconsin Photography Now"

The Identity Project

This is an example of one of the four processes that my subjects go through during their participation in this new series on Identity. If you are interested in participating or would like more information before committing to participating in this project, please feel free to contact me.

This series is about personal identity and how we are protected yet vulnerable based on our surroundings, clothes, etc. as well as how we are prejudged, compartmentalized and labeled based on the outside superficial aspects of our identity while not knowing the individual. 

Those who are willing to be photographed, it appears, go through their own process of discovery by their act of participation. 

I'm still looking for willing participants. All interested individuals are invited to contact me. I am in need of more male subjects especially in the mid to late age range and of different levels of fitness. But in general, I still need male and female, large and small, old (80+) and young (18), all races welcome to apply. Nudity is required for a portion of the shooting process. If you yourself are not interested in posing but know of someone that could be interested, please make them aware of this project. For your participation you will get a signed and matted print of the image I will exhibit.

Contact me if interested, wmzuback@williamzubackphotographs.com

Thanks.