Introducing Project Good Times
London is a city fuelled by ambition. Young people move there for professional opportunities and end up sacrificing in other areas to compensate. Maybe it'll be a smaller room than you're used to, costing more money than expected. Or it could be a job that sucks every hour out of the day. So we find solace that one, two or three years from now we'll have moved onto better things.
While the ambition is beautiful, the associated tunnel vision can be so toxic to our wellbeing. The good things in life can be taken for granted and, once you start doing that, you lose the full value of your moments. Life is short. Love it.
My Inspiration
I, myself, am a victim/participant of this culture. It took a full-blown pandemic, three lockdowns and a sad personal event for me to go, "I was having such a good time, but I was always thinking about the future. I wish someone told me: "Alim, you absolute idiot, what you've got is pretty amazing! Appreciate it." But nobody did, and I never reached that conclusion on my own. So now I want to be that person for others.
So what am I doing about it?
So, the concept behind Project Good Times is very simple. It's a candid street photography project.
Typically, you think of street photography and you think of a quiet guy finding awesome light and composition and waiting for a moment. This isn't that.
I'll be hunting for some of the most beautiful interactions that are worthy of retention. It'll all be about the organic positive emotion in a scene. Once I've taken the photo, I'll approach the subjects and tell them exactly what nobody told me. This is your good time. Appreciate it. And, of course, I'll share my contact details if they want a copy of the image. If they have time for me, I'll share the story and inspiration behind the project and hopefully, I can shift a few mindsets.
The challenges
This is way out of my comfort zone.
If you know me, you'll know that my Portrait Photography business is built around gaining my clients' trust and comfort. We do that by spending time getting to know you, so that, when shoot day arrives, you're already my bestie, bestie my bestie.
For this project, I'm photographing strangers. I'll be avoiding interaction with them until after I've got the shot (if possible) so that the memory is totally authentic.
I'm not uncomfortable approaching random people on the street for a chat, but there is a level of anxiety around just taking photos of someone random. I think some people will not react well, but I will sense those feelings and I will talk to them, tell them the project and offer to delete the photos respectfully. I will also have to do some research about specific legalities around how I can use the photos and who I can shoot.
Also, the project will be a long term project. This will take years. I'm excited about it, but I wish it was ready already because I'm impatient.
If you're interested in supporting the project:
Come with me. I don't want to shoot alone!! I wanna have a good time shooting project Good Times so, seriously, join me. You don't have to be a photographer or anything, just someone who would like to walk, chat and grab a meal after ☺
Hype me up. Honestly, motivation for a long term project is key. I need to be consistent in doing this and it'd be hugely encouraging, even when I'm feeling low, to get you guys hyping me up, sharing my project, telling me I'm amazing 😂 so that I can get motivated
Share your ideas with me. I love it when people contribute to my projects and I think that'll help diversify the content greatly
Where will the photos end up?
I plan to make a photo book (or two) at the end of the project. I haven't planned out the specifics as of yet as it remains in the early stages. I will be deciding on the pricing (and therefore the quality) in due course and if I find a charity that really aligns with the inspiration behind this project, then there will be a % donation. Any ideas?
I will also be sharing a selection of edited digital images with my subjects with the ability to purchase high-quality print products ♥