‘park street’ is a photo book project focusing on small businesses on a main street in a small california city.

scope: covid has hit a lot of small business hard. we’ve seen it across the country in news stories of large chains having to close locations or declare bankruptcy but feel it the most as local stores in our home towns have to close their doors. as we rely more and more on delivery services and online shopping, we can not forget about the small family owned and run businesses that are a big part of our community. i’ve really be trying to spend my money locally, focusing on the small mom-and-pop stores in my town instead of the large chains or online retailers. the desire to help support these stores mixed with my desire to be creative and gave me an idea: i would photograph the various businesses in the downtown district of my home town in alameda california and create a photo book. this book would be one part documentary of the time and one part promotional material. i would then get this book printed and distribute it to the small businesses along park street to sell to their customers and keep the profit.

over the past couple of months i have been going on regular walks up and down park street capturing life with covid. i plan on continuing my regular photo walks as i photograph the businesses of the downtown alameda park street area.

exhibition goal: I hope to be able to create a photo book that can be donated to the small businesses feature in the book at no cost that they are able to sell at full profit. there is also potential for a gallery show of selected photos if an opportunity presents itself.

phase timeline:

phase 1: photography [1 month] estimated cost: $250

during phase 1, time will be spent walking up and down park street photographing businesses as they deal with being open for business during covid in a mixture of street photography and portraiture.

phase 2: book design & prep [3 months] estimated cost: $10,200

phase 2 is the hardest and longest phase. first the photos must be processed and scanned, and then edited down to what photos will be included in the book. once the photos are selected the book files will be to be designed and created before submitting to a printer.

phase 3: printing [1-2 months] estimated cost: $3,500-$7,000

during phase 3, the books will be proofed and printed. a limited amount of 300 copies would be printed printed in a 10”x10” hard cover size.

phase 6: exhibition [1-2 months] estimated cost: $0

the books will be distributed to the small businesses along park street for them to sell at full profit. there is potential for a free open air showing of selected photos if an opportunity arrises.

artist statement: it seems that so much of the headlines we see, tweets we hear about, and stories we read today are focused on dividing us… pulling us apart… reminding us how different we are from our neighbor, and that being different is to be feared… or hated. I grew up in california. it’s a big state. i was raised to be open minded, inclusive, tolerant, but even with all that i forget how big and diverse our state truly is. i am what you would consider a proud californian and i feel that i must celebrate the diversity my beloved state has to offer, especially right now. i believe that in sharing the diverse faces of the state it will help remind everyone that we have far more in common with each other than we realize. the viewer will not be allowed to be distracted by anything else in the frame except for the other human being staring right at them, confronting them head on, reminded them that they are, in fact, human as well, with the same fears, dreams, desires, and frustrations. california is a wonderful place and it’s our differences that give us strength and should be celebrated.

budget: the total budget for this project from start to finish is around $25,000. phillm will use small, california based companies for all production needs and on the road he plans on eating at small non-chain establishments and stay in locally owned hotels. phillm will gladly take any donations for this project and will seek various grants and art funds to help raise the money needed to complete this project.