Chris Hoare is a young photographer currently working on a project based around Bedminster in Bristol, and studying for an MA at UWE. The inspiration for this project is a character from Bedminster who died going over Niagra Falls. He described his project as a slow documentary project about an area - an area with an interesting history, based around tobacco and paper - but which is now undergoing a process of gentrification.
Chris studied photography at Falmouth, and his book ‘Dreamers’ is the product of a second year project. Chris ‘semi’ self-published this book - a fly on the wall documentary of the current music scene in Bristol - printing 250 copies with an exhibition launch. He is currently working part-time at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol.
His advice to us was clear - keep making images, practice, stay sharp with your camera, and keep making work from love/passion. He says he wishes he had assisted a little bit more on graduating. His jobs have been varied - such as working in Aldi, and for Deliveroo - and that we need to do whatever work we can to sustain ourselves and allow us to keep working on our projects. He stressed the importance of networking and keeping in touch with fellow graduates. Chris sets aside one day a week when he can go and make work!! Some sound advice, and reinforcing the messages we have been receiving from other photographers.
Chris has just been shortlisted for the Palm Photo Prize, and looking at his website I see that he has listed this lecture in his CV - reinforcing James’ guidance on writing our CVs to keep adding and building them. Chris is another example of how organised and structured perseverance in promoting yourself as a photographer is essential to success - work hard, keep making work, exhibit, enter competitions and awards.
