Kickstarter

If you've noticed the onslaught of national media attention and the photographs posted to many tumblr sites and photo blogs...you might believe Detroit is already dead and decayed into ruins…there's no hope for this city…Detroit's too screwed up.

But I know differently...Detroit is not dead…I know this because I've been documenting Detroit's future...I've been photographing Detroit's people.

The future of Detroit rests with its entrepreneurs, artists, dreamers, musicians, innovators, recovering addicts, urban farmers, clergy, children and educators.

I believe strongly that the future of Michigan very much depends upon the future of Detroit. Perception matters. Photographs and stories can help to shape perception. Perception can become reality.

My "Detroit Portraits" series began as a personal photography project a few months ago in my spare time. The response has been wonderful so far and I want desperately for it to continue. 

This Kickstarter project, if funded, will help me to dedicate much more time in early 2012 to its rapid completion. My goal is photograph a total of 30-40 people with amazing stories and insights. I'm also recording audio interviews and personal stories with many of the portrait subjects as well.

So what will I do with these images and personal stories? To be 100% honest I'm not fully certain yet. But the work must be done. Many more Detroit portraits must be completed before I know the final outcome. The photographs might be published in a national or international magazine (two images were recently published in BOAT Magazine out of London). They might become a book or exhibition (three of the images have already been exhibited at the Grand Rapids Art Museum).

Thank you for considering becoming a supporter. I welcome your questions and feedback at brian@briankellyphoto.net