About this project

There is something about the ocean that always seems to lure us in. I grew up in western Pennsylvania, but for 1 week out of the year I would live by the beach (via our family vacation). The other 51 weeks of the year were spent waiting for the next summer's vacation. After finishing college, my wife and I moved to the East Coast of North Carolina, home of some of the most pristine beaches that you will find anywhere.

Everyone can acknowledge the beauty of the North Carolina coast, but many also take it for granted. The amount of litter that beach-goers leave behind is astounding. Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter, but I have stepped on everything from fishing lines to broken glass and smashed cans buried in the sand. I take great pride in this area, even though I am relatively new to the region, and it hurts to see it treated this way.

There are few organizations dedicated to cleaning up the beaches and raising awareness of the huge environmental and economical impacts of beach littering in this area. My plan is to travel up and down the coast of North Carolina, from the Northern Outer Banks to the Southern beaches of Oak Island, photographing the natural wonders of the region. The final project will be put together as a book and will promote the region in a way that will encourage to appreciate and respect what we have here in Eastern North Carolina.

I am asking for $2,500 in funding to help me offset travel costs, print costs, and book printing costs. The books will be donated to as many public outlets as financial constraints will allow (libraries, visitor's centers, etc.). They will also be made available for purchase to the public. The portion of the proceeds that are remaining after covering these initial costs will be donated to beach preservation group(s). If you have a group or know of a group that would be interested, please email me to be considered.

By helping me reach my goal, you will be helping the citizens of Eastern North Carolina and beyond see and appreciate the NC Coastal area in a new light. If my goal is exceeded, there will be more photos shot and more books printed, and the more the better. Please contact me at zach@uprootedphotographer with any questions. I would be more than happy to respond. To view my work and read my blog, visit www.uprootedphotographer.com. I will keep it updated with news and photos from this project.

Thank you for your support! Any contribution, no matter how large or small is greatly appreciated!