The Missouri Project

I feel a strong personal connection to Missouri through my family's history and my childhood. I grew up outside of Kansas City and spent my childhood visiting different areas in Missouri. A few of my favorite memories include visiting my Grandma near Silex, annual trips to the Lake of the Ozarks for family reunions, summer 4-H camp in Independence, and discovering things like the Magic House and the Arch in St. Louis. My family moved to a suburb of Chicago when I turned 11, but I returned to the state for college. I attended MU from 1998-2002. I now live in Chicago again, but I love to visit Missouri every chance I get. I still have lots of family and friends in the state, and I gained a whole new family in the region through my husband, who is originally from Joplin. When I venture to the state I always see something new and interesting. I am inspired to get out my camera and shoot each and every time.

I have a background in photojournalism, and am always pursuing different avenues in my photography. Currently I make a living as a photographer, shooting mostly weddings, events, family portraits and commercial work. I don't get the opportunity to concentrate on my own personal artwork as often as I'd like. That's why I've dedicated one whole week this summer to spend traveling through Missouri with nothing to do but take photographs of my surroundings. I am inspired to tell the story of the people of Missouri through portraits and documentary style photographs.

What will ultimately happen with the photographs from my project is still somewhat abstract. I will definitely be posting images from the project on my web site. I hope to have a gallery exhibition of the photos as well. I would also like to self-publish a book about the project. Each person that I photograph will need to sign a model release.

I am looking for people willing to have me photograph them in their natural surroundings in their every day lives. The shoot can take as little as 1-2 hours or as much as a whole day, depending on your willingness for me to tag along throughout your daily routine. I'm happy to provide each participant a print of one of the photographs. I will be traveling through Missouri June 6-13, and the outline of my destinations are somewhat flexible. If you are interested in participating in the project, or if you have questions in general, please contact me at anderson.shelley@gmail.com or 847-754-5256. I look forward to meeting new people, reconnecting with friends and family, and becoming inspired by their stories.

The Missouri Project-Cleo and Judy

I was happy when Cleo and Judy of Harrisburg, Missouri agreed to be the first subjects of my Missouri Project back in March. Harrisburg is a small town, just north of Columbia. They graciously showed me their home and property. Cleo was in the midst of planting some trees on his property, a conscious effort to curb global warming. As a former minister and world traveler, Cleo has an interesting past with great stories.

Reginald Coleman's work

I recently photographed a spectacular body of work by artist Reginald Coleman. His incorporation of maps into his art creates interesting details and beautiful abstract imagery. These are just a few of the pieces from his collection. I look forward to seeing the launch of his new web site in the near future.