ABOUT

The Humans Being Project (THBP) is a global narrative about people everywhere. Its aim is to communicate the inherent sameness within us, in spite of our vast differences. THBP gives viewers the opportunity to glimpse into the lives of individuals and cultures very different from their own and to find connection there. In creating that connection, we hope to inspire compassion and a deeper appreciation of one’s own humanity— and of all human life.

Throughout his travels, project founder and photographer Merrick Chase has made his way through vast and remote stretches of the earth on six continents. With a focus on creating rich still and video content, he trains his lens on people from all walks of life in countries around the globe. The more apparently ‘other’ or different from himself he finds his surroundings and subjects, the better. Merrick steps out of his comfort zone and into the unknown as frequently as possible. In doing so, he aims to get beyond his own preconceptions about people, their customs, and culture. Whether by car or by train, bikepacking or cycle touring, boating, hitchhiking, or simply walking around with a backpack, Merrick shares his findings here with you. He has pedaled through the Himalayas of Bhutan, across Northern Japan, and through Chilean Patagonia, hiked up to, and taken boats to villages across Asia that roads do not reach, played music with local musicians around campfires around the world, and had the pleasure of being a guest in the homes of families he’s met during his travels enough times to feel like he must be doing something right.

The Humans Being Project is a cataloging of our time. Merrick is creating a visual library celebrating some of the many faces of our shared humanity in order to inspire and connect the viewer to the wider world, and widely varied ways of life. All imagery presented here is his work. You can follow his experiences on the site and through archived stories from around the world on the project’s Facebook Page here. These stories are archived because Merrick stepped away from social media not long after a particularly impactful trip to the storied nation of Bhutan in spring 2024. While bikepacking across the country on the centuries-old Trans-Bhutan Trail, he was capturing for THBP and shooting a documentary on sustainability. That nearly month-long journey immersed him so fully in the present moment, that everything else truly fell away. The experience changed him profoundly.

Merrick stepped back from years of on-the-go documenting and storytelling while traveling, choosing instead to hold his experiences for himself for a time, and focus on creating art with longer-term impact—art that will endure beyond the fleeting pace of online sharing.

He continues to work on long-term projects: the Women of Crested Butte Project in Colorado, USA, the Bhutan documentary—nearly finished and coming soon—and producing for publication the story of his grandmother Esther’s conscious death at nearly 99—a profoundly personal story of family, presence, and celebration of life. He is currently living in Paris for an interim period while focusing on this story, and diving deep into creativity at large as he prepares for more global adventures and stories to come. Between working on these creative projects, he spends his time cycling across countries without photo gear, simply for the experience.

Stay tuned for The Humans Being Project’s production, ‘Pedals & Prayers: A Ride Across Bhutan,’ and for fresh new imagery from Bhutan and other countries. You can learn about the Women of Crested Butte Project 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.