“The things I notice most at my desk are just the light and little details so I thought that would be good to show.”

(B. 1977 Camden, ME)  Christopher Churchill is a Boston based photographer.  His works are held in various public collections that include MFA Boston, MFA Houston, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Portland Museum of Art, The Addison Gallery of American Art, Fidelity Corporate Collection, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Boston Public Library and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.  His clients include Flaunt, GQ, Esquire, Money, New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, National Geographic Adventurer, Oprah, Reebok, Salvation Army and The Wall Street Journal.  He was recently named a Critical Mass top 50 and Hey Hot Shot semifinalist.  His first Monograph American Faith is due to be published in the spring of 2011 by Nazraeli Press.

FROM YOUR DESKS: Did you grow up in a religious home?

CHRISTOPHER CHURCHILL: I did not grow up adhering to any particular religion, though I have always thought about one’s place in the world, which is something that religion helps answer.  I find the divisiveness of organized religions difficult to accept.

FYD: Since 2011, how has faith changed or intensified, particularly in the South and Midwest?

CC: I started this project in 2004 when I was 27 so my historical perception of religion in America was very limited.  I think religious conviction has become very public and something that is being used to organize groups of people on a very large-scale.  Oddly enough I would say that the various media outlets are responsible to the degree of polarity and intensity we perceive regionally.

If people vote by their faith in what is best, religion will be under that umbrella.

FYD: Can you chart your roadmap?  Where did you go first; where did you end up? (click map to enlarge)

FYD: Via your travels, did you find a difference between faith and religion?

CC: That is probably the most impacting thing that this project has taught me.  Faith is the single most common human trait.  Ones ability to feel connected to something greater than your self is imperative to the human condition and completely universal.  Religion is simply a group manifestation of a common faith.

FYD: Is the divide between Church and State blurred more than ever?

CC: The media has really contributed to this mixing of politics and religion by being opportunistic in creating divisions that will make the loudest noise in the public consciousness.  The information we are presented tends to be quick and dirty.  Huge media institutions running want to be Arbus images of zitty kids at Jesus camp serve as divisive pieces of information and are equally to corrosive to our society as the politician who campaigns of their religious views alone.  My experiences are that people across this country are kind and giving no matter what their religious beliefs.  They genuinely want what is best for society and sometimes they formulate their opinions through their religious beliefs.  So yes it is more blurred but I don’t see how it can’t be.  If people vote by their faith in what is best, religion will be under that umbrella.

Oddly enough I would say that the various media outlets are responsible to the degree of polarity and intensity we perceive regionally.

FYD: Is it hard for people to have faith right now with the economy twisted, the war, a rather bleak scenario.

CC: I would say that in times of hardship no matter what your stratification in society or religious beliefs faith is ever more present in difficult times.  It is when you need faith.

FYD: Why do you shoot in black and white?

CC: I have always made a lot of pictures in black and white.  I think there is something very visceral to seeing the world represented in a different manner.  For this project it seemed appropriate in its ability to extract time from the conversation.  I also like the darkroom, making things with my hands and color 8×10 film is damn expensive!