Chicago: Second Chances in the Second City With James Rice

Join Photographer James Rice for an afternoon in Leica Store & Gallery Chicago as we discuss the meaningful nature of photography and the self-reflection that comes from creating a body of work.

With almost 20 years of experience photographing the streets of Chicago James shares a native’s perspective to help inspire the next generation of Leica Photographers. This interactive discussion will be broken into three parts explaining James’ story and profound history in the city, how to approach the scale of creating a project, and expanding participants ideas on how they can learn.

Finding a story can be a Challenge
Capturing it becomes a Story

Schedule Overview

Welcome & Introduction
Meeting at Leica Gallery Chicago for a brief greeting and primer on James’ photographic background and history with Chicago.

Part 1: My Story: Second Chances in the Second City

Finding Myself and My Story in the People

Finding Myself and My Story in the Places

Finding Myself and My Story in the Moments

Part 2: Using a Long-Term Project to Find Your Story

How cameras tell us who we are?

How much time does your story take to develop?

Part 3: Expanding Your Photography and Your Story

Find resources in your community

Learning from another’s story and how it impacts our own

Closing Remarks: How Leica Akademie Helped Me and Can Help You

Leica Cameras & Lenses + Q&A

How Leica Akademie helped me and can help you

Artist Bio:

James Rice is a Midwest American photographer whose roots in photography go back to the days of black and white film in the late 1950s. His mother introduced him to photography when he was 6 years old. When he was only 9 years old, a mentally ill man with a shotgun invaded the Rice home, shot his father, wounding him critically, then shot his mother in the head, killing her instantly. Because of the trauma of the shooting, James did not seriously photograph for the next 40 years. At age 49, after a 28-year marriage fell apart, a mental health counselor suggested that James should risk seriously engaging in photography again. That suggestion turned out to be lifesaving. Over the last two decades, James’s black and white photography has helped mitigate the effects of the PTSD that had impacted his life for four decades. James documented his trauma and recovery in a photo essay titled “Shooting”, which led to a symposium at the International Center of Photography in New York City and ultimately the formation of the nonprofit organization Fotophase. James has published four books, “Second Look”, “Chicago Avenue”, “Real Cuba”, and “Shooting” and has had solo gallery shows at the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in Seymour, Indiana and The Rangefinder Gallery in Chicago. James has been a guest on two live stream broadcasts sponsored by Leica Camera USA as well as a guest on an episode of the “Life of Phys” podcast hosted by Tyson Martin. James’ website can be found at jsricephotography.com.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Leica Store & Gallery Chicago, 800 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States

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