Where is your heart?

We all have a story. Where we came from, what events have changed our lives, or where we want to be in five years. Whether we push it to the back of our minds or are a living image of that story, it’s inside all of us somewhere. I want to be able to pull this idea out from your inner workings by asking one question: “Where is your heart?” I will listen to every word you have to tell, and as a photographer, document the emotion that undeniably comes with it with a few photos.

My name is Van Gachnang and I am a photographer born and raised in Wisconsin. I’ve been shooting for about 5 years and undoubtedly have been craving a big project that involves more than just aesthetics and commercial work. With this project, I hope to help individuals that I meet admit what their heart is longing for and give them the nudge to take the first (or second or tenth!) step towards finding personal contentment. Reaching into somebody’s heart takes a lot of commitment from my end, and takes even more courage from their side to open up and answer such a personal question.

Though my main focus is photography, I can’t leave out the words that associate with the face I’m capturing. I would like to type out each response and link it with the storyteller’s portrait. This project will not be limited to my own friends and family, but strangers, passersby, and volunteers all the same. Once I’ve captured a solid number of varying stories, I will take their words and photos and publish them into a hardcover book available for purchase.

I have no endcap on where this project is going to end or how many people I will meet with, but would like to continue to let the project blossom further.

If you are reading this, you can be a part of the project! Whether you’d like to allow me into your personal space and spill your heart to me, or if you’d like to provide financial backing for the project, you’ve definitely found the right place to be.