More people are surviving their battle with breast cancer than ever before, but over 55,000 women are diagnosed ever year in the UK. I think it is safe to say everyone knows someone who has fought this terrible illness, and it is no lie to say I could not think of any worse new to hear first-hand. I have my own personal experience with family members fighting through, and in whole it brought our whole family closer by the end of it. That is why I am coming to you so show my idea of travelling the UK for 2 months visiting victims and their family to hear their stories and document their health. I am asking for £2,600 which will cover the all expenses on the trip including travel, living, accommodation and contingency.
I will travel to Reading, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham and finally finishing in London. Like i stated, the total cost will cover the petrol between these places, the exact numbers will be in a table at the end. I am involved in an online forum of female painter where they voice their thoughts and feelings, they often meet up for coffee, they find comfort in sharing their personal experiences with others who have the same. I know some of these women would let me enter their home and document their life for a couple days at a time, some of these women even live alone, so they would enjoy the company.
From a photographers point of view, I would use my own equipment I already own, I would be shooting exclusively on my Sony A7III. My 85mm 1.8 would be used for the close up portraits, my 55mm 1.8 for the indoor full length portraits, a 35mm 1.8 for all purpose wide angle work, both indoor and out. I will also use external flash where necessary, and even make a short video documentary about the whole photo project.
I know, if given the chance to complete this project, it would affect me and those I am shooting greatly, and I would hate to move on from one women and never have any contact with her again. I would take their contact details and keep in contact with them, sending them the images I take of them and their home. When the project is done, I will create a book that will be professionally printed including images from all 7 cities, the women, their stories, their homes, families, favourite places, jobs and everything else I photographed on my journey. I would like to then send a copy to each of the women I documented as a gesture of good will, I hope it would cheer those up who need it.
Finally, I would like to make the point that this project is a very personal project, to myself and those I will my documenting. I can not stress enough how vigilant I will approach this whole assignment, I will be delicate in how I approach and ask the victims if I can enter their home and archive their everyday activities. I know some of these people will say no, and I am prepared for that. However I am positive that those who do agree will be very happy to have me.
