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Kris Payne
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New York, NY
I hate third person bios. It's not like someone else is writing it. I'm writing it. I like making photos of things that everyone is able to see, but probably won't make the time in their life to do so. The world is a living creature (without getting mystical) and one day, it won't be the same (without getting evangelical). These are the people, places and things I want you to see.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma and was fortunate enough to be born into a family that values travel, open thought and finding your own way.
I live in Brooklyn, NY and work worldwide.
Projects by Kris Payne (1)
Kris Payne is Backing (1)
Recent Posts by Kris Payne
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #6Waypoints
So pledging continues and I'm meeting and hopefully making some new friends through kickstarter and couldn't be happier. I thought that I would try and cobble together a little map of my basic waypoints for those of you who aren't tuned in to where exactly some of these highways are! This may be helpful to people who are considering the tricky reward of getting a personal portrait of them while I'm out on the road. Dates are still sort of iffy, because of obligations here in Brooklyn, but once things get closer to the zero hour, I'll know everywhere I'll be plus/minus a few days, and of course if funding is successful and you've pledged to something like the portrait (and all you postcard backers) I'll get your address then and we can get more solid details mapped out.
Keep spreading the word!
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #5Whoops
So I found out that donating a portion of what you guys as backers have pledged to me is against the community guidelines of kickstarter and how they operate. Nothing against them and I see now and agree with the fact of it. totally still love kickstarter and totally still want to help out people in need, nothing's changed except that i'm not going to use portions of your generous donations to donate to a charity that you may or may not believe in.
So I have to revise that. I want to reiterate that I'm definitely going to use the money to fund my trip and fulfilling your rewards, and I hope that I didn't take away any trust in you guys or the kickstarter environment.
I feel really lucky to have been given an invitation to start a kickstarter for funding my project and want to play nice and within the rules so that I don't hurt their image or their ecosystem because it's a system that I really believe in.
Carry on :-)
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #4Charity
I've been thinking a lot about charity lately and have been trying to be cautious in what I buy and where and how I spend my money and how it could possibly benefit people who are in more need than me. I mean, hell, I'm sitting here in a warm Brooklyn apartment with access to basically anything I want at any time and can walk to some world class museums or sit in the park and watch birds fight for crumbs left in the trash by people going about their day. And on the other side of the world, and sometimes right in our own backyards, there are people who go day to day without any of those luxuries, or anything close, for that matter.
On a recent job in Cambodia I was really startled to see things I've seen on countless tv commercials and read about and seen in the news, etc. I had been struggling to understand what there was I could do, if anything, to help. So many times we feel, realistically, that we're too small to help out. Well, thankfully, there are countless charities and companies out there that are trying hard to make all of us bigger.
In my research for quality gear that will last long beyond my trip and also contribute to a better earth, I've found a few companies that are doing things that I truly believe in, I'm finding more and may compile a list in the blog, but for now I want to point out two companies that are easy to start helping out with, if you so choose:
NAU - You can read more on their website, but in short, they create sustainable clothing that performs as well or better than those from companies who don't think about where their materials come from. In addition to to all that, their distribution partner is centrally located in the US to reduce shipping emissions and is staffed by developmentally disabled people who are desperate to feel connected and work hard. If that's not enough, 2% of every order is donated to a charity through their partners for change program. You get to choose between 5 charities, or you can let NAU decide.
Klean Kanteen - Most of the reason I've been conscious about finding great companies has stemmed from the search for having clean and safe water while on the road. Not knowing where my water will come from during some stints, I've purchased a filter and some water bottles. Some parks in the desert have strict rules about water, not surprisingly, and I want to be able to carry water in in a safe way. Klean Kanteen provides all of that. Plus, they have a special bottle printed with a design that has a great mantra about staying hydrated: "Fill. Drink. Repeat." They also realize that that's not so simple in some places and some people could care less who put the type together and then who printed it on a stainless steel bottle. They just want water, so, Klean Kanteen donates 10% of the purchase of the bottle linked above to water.org.SO. Big stuff. Lots of things to think about. With a thing that's entirely selfish like a road trip across North America to photograph some beautiful places with financial and moral support from people like you, I've started thinking a little bit about what I can do with things that I am going to need/buy anyway and how my everyday living can benefit someone else in need.
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #3Accommodations
Whew! Who knew that planning a nearly 3 month stint on the road would prove pretty daunting when finding accommodations for every night? Well, I did, for sure, but not to the extent that I've began to encounter when looking for campsites along HWY 97 in British Columbia. Or Illinois, for that matter. Sparse. The United States seems to think the only way to camp is in an RV, which is fine, but it leaves the tents out so we're forced to find a field or have to endure the frat party at a KOA.
Not knowing what the driving conditions are like in some places, I've opted to have around 4-5 hours driving time per day. A pretty small number when you think about how I've driven 18 hours a day on some trips. I really want to take a slow pace and really enjoy the surroundings that I'm going to be in, and also allow for a little extra time in places that really capture me. But I've also set up daily goals to push me when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Town to town, park to park, kind of like living check to check, with a little bit better scenery.
But in some places 4-5 hours isn't a whole lot of time to get from one town to the next. Sometimes it's a minimum time of 4 hours before you get to an intersection or a new town, which leaves the choices fairly limited. It's coming together, but slowly.
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #210%
Wow! 10% in just a little over a day. That's pretty fantastic! I hope you guys keep spreading the word to people who would like to see this happen and help be a crucial part of it. I'm dreaming up another idea for a new $25 reward since either the postcard's or the $25 is quickly becoming the most popular option.
NYC is covered in around a foot or so of snow today, won't be long till that's just another daily thing.
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Kris Payne
Posted project update #1Video
I'm working on a video to post, I just don't know what to say! I feel really strong about going to Alaska and know that I'm going to be inspired and produce some of the best work I've ever done while getting there. And you know, it's not about the destination, really, it's about getting there, which is why I chose to drive. There's nothing like driving alone down a highway and looking in the rearview mirror and seeing where you've come from, and then looking out over the dashboard, swerving back into your lane to dodge an 18-wheeler and realize you've gotta focus on what's ahead.
Here I am standing in front of a glacier in the Kenai Fjords.
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Kris Payne
commented on a project updateCan't wait brandon!
Still going Strong!
Hello everyone.... so I have decided to keep on shooting! I just dropped my love off at the Salt Lake City airport, and I am going to keep going. I just had 3 more boxes of 4x5 film sent to me he...
