INTRODUCTION AND F.A.Q.

FOR PARTICIPANTS OF









WOMEN OF CRESTED BUTTE

A photograph freezes time. When you look at an old photograph, you are looking into a moment in someone’s life. If you look closely enough, you’ll learn something about who that person was and how she lived. You may even feel her presence, and in this way come to know a small piece of her. This is the power of a photograph.

It is with this spirit that I welcome you to the Women of Crested Butte Project and thank you for your participation.

My aim is simple: to create a single Legacy Image that represents you as you would most like to be remembered 100 years from now. Future generations will look into your eyes and glimpse a moment from your life. Together, we will decide what that moment looks like and create it in a place that is meaningful to you in the story of your life in the valley.

The images we create are ultimately for you more than they are for anyone else. You will get out of this experience what you put into it. Whether you simply wish to create a beautiful portrait in a place you love, or whether you want to bring deeper intention, symbolism, creativity, and personal meaning to the process, I am happy to meet you wherever you are. There is no right way to participate.

The key to a successful session is trust, connection, and collaboration. The more we establish together, the more powerful the imagery is likely to become—and the more fun we'll have creating it.

Before your session, please read through the FAQs below and complete with your digital initials and digital signature both the Creative Consent Form and Model Release Form. These are required for participation and help ensure that we share a clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and the creative possibilities available to us.

Working on this project with you is a gift and a privilege. Thank you for being a part of it—I look forward to creating with you!

—Merrick

F.A.Q. - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR / BRING WITH ME TO MY SESSION?

Show up as yourself, as you’d like to be portrayed. I will tell the best story of you that I can in the time we have together. Bring any items—clothing, jewelry, accessories, or props of any kind, large or small—that help create the image of yourself you would like to leave in this valley. I don’t know that version of you, but you do.

That might mean a trunk full of costumes and makeup, your ski or yoga gear, a ball gown and fur coat, or a plain black t-shirt, body paint, and your favorite armchair. The choice is entirely yours.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THE IMAGES THAT WE SHOOT?

Shannon, KT, and I will produce a coffee table art book from the photographs and interviews created through this project. We may also create exhibitions and a series of fine art prints for sale. A portion of my proceeds will be donated to High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) and the Crested Butte Museum. Shannon intends to donate a portion of her proceeds to Crested Butte State of Mind.

Images from the project—including select final images, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes photography and video—may be shared on dedicated project social media accounts and websites, as well as on The Humans Being Project’s website, my personal social media, and my art and photography websites. Still and video material may also be developed into a documentary, short film, or series of short films about the project.

HOW LONG WILL MY SESSION TAKE?

Depending on the location and complexity of your shoot, expect one to two and a half hours for your session. This includes setup, lighting and equipment adjustments, and short breaks between setups. I value your time as much as my own and will work efficiently to make the most of it.

WHAT IF I FEEL SHY IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA OR AWKWARD BEING PHOTOGRAPHED?

If that’s the case, you’re like most people. I’d simply ask you to trust my experience photographing thousands of people over many years. We’ll move through any awkward feelings together—much faster than you might expect. It’s often a lot of fun, like playing dress up as a kid or getting outfitted for a backcountry adventure. Nothing to be afraid of.

WHEN WILL I GET TO SEE THE IMAGES FROM MY SESSION AND WILL I GET TO KEEP THE IMAGES?

You will be emailed a selection of proofs from your session, typically between 4 and 8 images. It may take up to eight months to a year (and sometimes longer) to receive your proofs, and you will be gifted your 3 favorite images as high-resolution digital JPEG files.

Your image files include a license for unlimited personal and professional use in perpetuity (excluding licensing to third parties or any use in which you receive payment from a third party). Once you have selected your favorites from the proofs and I have confirmed receipt, it may take up to a year or longer to deliver your final images.

HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE WHICH IMAGE OF ME TO USE IN THE BOOK?

I won’t be choosing the image used in the book—you will. You alone will have this opportunity, as it feels important that you decide how you would like to be remembered by history.

The image selected for the book is part of the curated Women of Crested Butte Collection and will appear only within the context of the book and related exhibitions. It will not be included among your three gifted images.

WHY ARE YOU CREATING THIS PROJECT?

Crested Butte has given me a tremendous amount over the years. This project is my love letter to the town—a way to give something back and to say thank you for all the support I’ve received from the women in this incredible community, particularly as a single parent raising a young son here in the mid-2000s. I also feel it is important to raise up strong feminine voices at this time in history.

Finally, I love people and their stories, and the intimacy of getting to know someone during a photo session. Our true selves come out on both sides of the camera, and I find it to be a powerful experience of shared discovery. What better subjects to have the opportunity to co-create with?

WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN A MODEL RELEASE FORM?

I ask participants to sign a model release form so that I can use the images as part of the Women of Crested Butte Project and my broader photographic work. I’m investing a significant amount of time and creative energy into each session, and you will receive the results of that time in the form of three high-resolution digital images, as well as seeing the project itself come to life.

MAY I SEE SOME OF THE IMAGES THAT YOU’VE CREATED FOR THE PROJECT SO FAR?

Absolutely! You’re welcome to have a look at some behind-the-scenes and outtake shots. Click here to visit the Women of Crested Butte Behind the Scenes Gallery.