1. Marjorie, what was the inspiration behind your latest photography project, LA Bus Stop?

My teacher, the amazing Julia Dean, called me last fall to say she was putting together a small master class and invited me to join. It would be comprised of two projects: a personal project, which is my Hallelujah series, and a group project, which was "Contrasting LA". Each person would do a project based on what that meant to them.  Immediately, I pictured bodies.  I wanted to contrast the bodies of LA. I was gonna do one against another but then thought that wasn't very nice so I decided to put everyone together. I envisioned a line up like at a bus stop and that is how my project began. As I began to work with people in this very vulnerable state, I realized how body image is at the core of everyone -- of how we see ourselves and how others see us.  In so many ways, we are so much alike. We all have boobs, whether they're big, small, floppy, pointing up or down or we have a penis, big, small, floppy, pointing up or down. Then, the more people I met, I even found one incredible person with both. And for her, that is who she is.  I learned through this project, while we are all very similar, with similar feelings, ideas, thoughts -- worried about how we portray ourselves, how we will/are judged, each person brings an incredible beauty of uniqueness and strength with their own story.  

2. How have you been reaching out to your friend and fans?  How has the response been?

I'm not good at asking for money, so the idea that people get something in return for funding my project is very helpful. I've used facebook to reach out to the large group of people, but really most of my funding, so far, has come from emailing my closest friends and family. I am just starting to see the efforts reaching out to the next tier -- friends who I've recently reconnected with via facebook and friends of my husbands and close friends.

3. What has it been like as a crowdfunding pioneer in photography/art world? 

It's strange to fundraise for an artistic project.  But my friends who are actors that have spent years raising money for shows and theatre companies assure me that this is no different. I'm betting on them!  lol.

4. What advice would you give to other Creatives looking to crowdfund their projects?

Have good rewards.  Rocket Hub gave me good ideas for fundraising.  Offer things like "my time". Portrait sessions.  Shooting lessons.  Camera classes.  Even signed prints at great bargains to my "fuelers".  And then have great belief in your project and it's value.

Thank you Marjorie.  I’m sure that your inspiration will shine through, and I hope that others will share your insights, both about things we all have in common, and on how to successfully crowdfund an artistic project!

To learn more and/or Fuel Marjorie's project, follow this link: http://www.rockethub.com/projects/314-la-bus-stop