Madeline DeAngelo

My definition is to see without being seen.

    I took upon this project with the goal to carry my camera around and photograph anything I could see as poetic. This would be my last year in Utica, NY, where I have blossomed as an artist, person, and a friend. This project evolved into something more; I am not the type to carry my camera around my neck, but with this project, I felt I had to. Beautiful and sad moments, as well as vulnerable, some staged, some conceptual, candid, and raw moments were captured mostly out of my car window with a cigarette in my hand, alone, or with my best friends in the seats next to me. I took upon this project when I was feeling insecure about my sentimental feelings towards relationships and places. What better way as a photographer to capture those things? Moving away from home and my significant other, finding a niche in the armpit of New York with three of the greatest people I have ever met, lead me to cherish the moments I have with people and places, and to focus on the positives. This little project developed into something greater than I thought it could. 
    Growing up in a small Massachusetts town, moving to Utica was a step out of my comfort zone, the only thing bringing me comfort were the people who were also miserable here. I fell in a dark place during my first few months, or realistically, all four semesters here. I began to shoot only myself, and through this project, I was able to do more and again, get out of my comfort zone. This project, I believe, reflects that. I use themes of intimacy frequently in my work. This series reflects a different type of intimacy between my friends, Utica, and I.