The Metamorphosis of My Personal Project, AKA The Greece Piece

Creative works always have multiple versions; the one you intend to make and the one you actually make. Was that Rick Rubin? Anyways, the photographs from my recent trip to Greece were no exception. My best girlfriend, Helena and I spent two magical weeks in Greece together.

Helena’s Papou and YaiYai on her paternal side emigrated from Greece to the USA in the 1950’s. Naturally, Helena’s father was over the moon to hear that she was visiting Greece for the very first time. Now, you’re probably thinking, “Wow Heather, this seems like all the ingredients for a beautiful Greek coming home story.” … And you’re right. But, it wasn’t.

The photo project I intended to make.

Prior to our trip, I had great ambitions of photographing Helena’s life-moving moment experiencing Greece for the very first time. I imagined photographs of her stepping off the plane, smelling the familiarity of the warm Greek air, walking barefoot on the Aegean Sea beaches, a sense of ease on her face like she was home for the first time. And of course, I planned to incorporate elements of ancient Greek art. I would use color filters on my lens and flash to reflect the vibrant colors of Greek architecture and statuary before thousands of years washed it away to white. I imagined splashes of reds, blues, and yellows thrown on surprising Greek subjects. Spoiler alert, the only idea that translated to the final project was the colors…

The photo project I actually made.

You don’t really know someone until you experience a 15 hour flight together, sitting in the middle-of-the-middle seats. On top of that, there might have been a bout of food poisoning. I will conceal the unlucky party’s name. Just thankful it wasn’t me 😉. Salmon as an inflight meal feels like an unnecessary risk… I digress. Having been born in the USA and never feeling particularly connected to my roots or culture, I left Greece feeling deeply connected to my friend Helena.

I met Helena almost 4 years ago on Bumble BFF. We were both new to the Bay Area and finding friends as an adult can be hard. Our friendship was a slow burn at first, but after some time we discovered that we share a love for travel and adventure. Although we got SCUBA certified together and became underwater SCUBA companions, traveling to Greece for two weeks together was our riskiest friendship test yet. (Note, if you want to speed up the friendship bonding process with a new friend, travel together. Travel far, and travel to a place where you don’t speak the language.)

Back to the photos... So I intended to make images about Helena’s great Greece home coming. Perhaps this was a projection of my own need for connection and belonging? After all, I have been on the move since I was 19. I lived in Oklahoma, the Bay Area twice now, and NYC where everyone is anonymous. Roots have been hard to come by for me. So, it seemed like a story I wanted to chase, something I could relate to. Luckily, my photo project was a personal one, and I was able to flow like the Aegean Sea as my project revealed itself to me. While we were in Greece, there wasn’t an aha moment for Helena. She was new to Greece just like I was. Her bones never called out to mother Greece like I thought they would.

Yes, you can feel connected to a place, a homeland, a personal historical site, but connecting with a friend fulfills something deeper and more foundational. Through the two weeks, we had highs and lows, and so many shared experiences, including a ferry ride from hell and. the best sardines and cheese we ever had. I hope the images show the admiration I have for my dear friend, Helena, and the magic we found together in Greece. Σε ευχαριστώ.