Archive Your Hometown
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. Currently walking around the Schuylkill River Trail here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of a nation, photographing these sculptures.
Be the Archivist of Your Hometown
My message today is simple: be the person who creates the archive of your hometown. Wherever you live, whether it’s a bustling city like Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles—or even a small rural town—you can be the one to document it.
Here’s what to photograph:
- Sculptures, lampposts, benches, and trees
- Rivers, natural elements, and architecture
- Construction sites and new structures
- Vehicles, buses, trains, and planes
- People, fashion, and fleeting moments
Photograph everything. Document where you come from or wherever you may be, and approach it as though you’re responsible for archiving that part of the world.
Why Archiving Matters
Even if you’re in a rural area where few documents or photos exist, your work can hold incredible value. Start publishing your photographs, build a website, and share your images. This can be a meaningful project.
“It’ll give your life more meaning. It’ll provide a service for people to look back on in the future.”
But more than that, do it for yourself. When you photograph with the mindset of creating an archive, it eliminates decision fatigue: What should I photograph? When should I photograph? The answer is simple—just go out there and photograph. Over time, you’ll create something remarkable.
My Goal: An Archive of Philadelphia
For me, the goal isn’t to make a project, a book, a zine, or even a gallery. My goal is to create an archive. I’m photographing to create an archive of the birthplace of the United States.
“If I have any goal in mind that’s really audacious and bold and grand, that’s it. I’m creating the archive.”
And you should, too. Be the person who archives where you’re from. Who cares if the photos gain fame or praise now? Create the archive of your town.
Become the Camera
This approach is more than interesting—it’s essential. Treat your camera as a tool of preservation. Be the person who takes on the job of archiving your surroundings. Over time, your work will become a legacy for others to appreciate, but most importantly, it’ll be something deeply meaningful for you.
Become the camera.