Personal Projects with Janice Checchio, Lou Jones and Mark Ostow

Please join us for an evening of inspiration with 3 incredible photographers who will share their latest long-term personal projects.

Janice Checchio: Daily Self Portrait

In 2020, photographer Janice Checchio revisited a past project with the goal of taking a unique, daily self-portrait for the entirety of the year, exploring what could be created as a photographer, mother, and partner. The unexpected challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic added the extra facet of how to be all those personae simultaneously. Or make the decision to choose one over the others.

Check out Janice on Instagram Here!

Lou Jones: PanAfrica Project

For the last seven years I have been traveling to Africa to document each of its 54+ countries. Due to the malicious, neocolonialistic view that western media has foisted upon the continent, I realized I had to use my photographic skills to alter those misconceptions. We are only presented with sensational headlines of poverty, pestilence, conflict…& endangered animals, whereas the “the Other Africa” is one of the most progressive environments in the world. 

I am using the “universal language” of photography to assemble a comprehensive compendium of imagery to substantiate the innovation, development & culture that is being repressed by our educational systems, history books & xenophobic attitudes. The overwhelming tasks of showing industry, business, resources, education, medicine, traditions is fulfilled because I have been photographing these narratives all over the world on assignments in my career.

We have utilized every opportunity, including crowdfunding, & technology with the help of Internet & social media to keep advancing momentum. So far we have covered fourteen countries & maintain a complex website www.panAFRICAproject.org & have published the first volume in a series of books.

Check out Lou on Instagram Here!

Mark Ostow: Unmasked

On March 15, 2020 when our world as we knew it completely stopped, I started photographing and photographing (and photographing). Trying to capture the highs, the lows, and the anythings and everythings. It became a daily practice or maybe an obsession. 1500 people later I am still going strong.

I’m looking forward to talking about what keeps me out there everyday, and how there are always people and things to capture– even on the days when one thinks there aren’t!

Check out Mark on Instagram Here!