Artist Residency

I’m considering doing an artist residency in a small coastal town on Vancouver Island and I’m trying to be intentional about why I’d go and what I’d actually make while I’m there. One reason I’m doing it is because it gives me time, space, and distance from my normal life and I’ll be in new environment that changes what I notice but how is that any different from a vacation? I guess I will have access to mentorship if I want it.

I shoot a mix of digital + 35mm film. I usually shoot portrait and events, so I’m used to reacting to things rather than building a focused body of work.

What I don’t want is to go all the way there and just… take photos the same way I do at home, just in a prettier location.

I’m trying to think through:

- What kinds of stories/themes would actually make sense to focus on in a small coastal BC town?

- How do you approach a residency in a way that leads to a cohesive project vs a random collection of images?

- If you’ve done a residency (especially for photography), what did you wish you had done differently going in?

A few directions I’ve been considering:

- Slow, small-town routines / daily life

- Working waterfront / fishing culture

Would love to hear how others have approached residencies or longer solo projects like this—especially anything that helped you move from just “taking photos” to actually building something more intentional.

Thanks :)