ABOUT

The Humans Being Project (THBP) is a global narrative about people—everywhere. Its aim is to reveal the shared humanity that connects us all, despite our vast differences. THBP invites viewers to step into the lives of individuals and cultures far different from their own, and to discover resonance and understanding there. Through that connection, project founder and lifelong photographer Merrick Chase hopes to inspire compassion, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of our shared human experience.

Merrick has traveled across remote stretches of the planet on six continents. With a focus on creating rich still and video content, he turns his lens toward people from all walks of life. The more unfamiliar the surroundings, the better. He seeks out what feels most ‘other’ to challenge his own assumptions—stepping outside his comfort zone as often as possible, into places and stories unknown.

Whether on foot or by bike, car, train, boat, or hitchhiking, Merrick shares what he finds along the way. He’s pedaled through the Himalayas of Bhutan, across northern Japan, and deep into Chilean Patagonia. He’s hiked up to remote villages in Tajikistan unreachable by road, and been welcomed by residents of the floating villages on Myanmar’s storied Inle Lake. From Pushkar to the Pyrenees, he’s played music with locals around countless open fires, and been invited to share meals and moments in families’ homes across the world—enough times to feel he must be doing something right.

The Humans Being Project is a living archive of our time. Merrick is building a visual library that celebrates what connects us, aiming to inspire a broader understanding of humanity in all its forms. All the imagery here is his own. You can follow his stories through the site and explore past narratives via the project’s archived Facebook page.

Merrick stepped away from social media following a deeply affecting trip to Bhutan in spring 2024. While bikepacking the centuries-old Trans-Bhutan Trail, he was capturing content for THBP and filming a documentary on sustainability. That nearly month-long journey pulled him fully into the present moment—and changed him profoundly.

After years of documenting on the go, he chose to pause and hold those experiences close for a while, shifting his focus toward full immersion in the present, and to creating work with lasting impact—art that endures beyond the fast pace of online sharing.

He continues to work on long-form projects: The Women of Crested Butte Project and its upcoming art book in Colorado, the nearly finished Bhutan documentary Pedals and Prayers: A Ride Across Bhutan, and the story of his grandmother Esther’s conscious death at nearly 99. Hers was a clear, graceful decision that was a long time coming, and that brought the family together in a remarkable and utterly rare way—offering time to prepare, to share deeply, and to say goodbye fully. That experience left a profound mark on him and his grown son, and the story he’s telling is as much about life as it is about death.

Merrick joins his son Sol throughout the year to work with him and his rising Austin, Texas–based Americana band, Big Love Car Wash, as ‘band fixer.’ He supports the band in the studio and on U.S. and international tours, keeping energetics running smoothly behind the scenes and front of house. Between creative projects, Merrick often embarks on long-distance solo cycling journeys through countries across the Global South—traveling without a camera, simply for the experience. When he’s not traveling, Merrick makes his home in Paris.

Stay tuned for Pedals & Prayers: A Ride Across Bhutan, along with fresh new galleries of imagery from Bhutan and beyond. You can explore the Women of Crested Butte Project here and learn how to purchase archival prints of any of the images you see on the site here.

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Want to get involved or simply suggest a place for THBP to visit? Do you have resources to offer—community access, lodging, translation or transportation services, etc? Please Contact Us today, we’d love to hear from you.