JONATHAN CHERRY: Has anything really inspired you over the last 2 weeks … if so why?

JEREMY EDWARDS: Boredom inspires me to get up, go somewhere, and take pictures. With regards to content, I’m greatly inspired by the diversity of the city and the faces of complete strangers. Most recently, I’ve fallen in love with my experiment with street photography. And over the last few weeks, my project has somehow gained a little attention from the art community, so when people say, “I like it” - that inspires me, too. Other inspirations: unkept beards, people who walk with limps, animated facial expressions, bad lighting, empty public spaces, good lighting, the elderly, and suspicious characters.

JC:What was the last photographic book you picked up?

JE: I usually don’t pick up photography books because I don’t spend much time in libraries or bookstores anymore. Although, I was in a store recently, and picked up a few photobooks to pass the time. From what I can remember, there was one book about 1930s Chicago and gangsters, one about street photography in the Pilsen neighbourhood in the early 1990s by Paul D’Amato, and the Jazz Loft Project.

JC: What is the project AZ all about?

JE: I went to Arizona to spend time with friends during the holidays and I took pictures of what was beside, in front, behind, or above me. This is probably where the FTP project really took off artistically.

JC: What is the above (first) image all about?

JE: The Hoyt family visits a cemetery in West Mesa each year during the holidays to pay tribute to their grandparents, and two uncles who died tragically in a car accident many years ago. From what I know of them, they were incredible people who still today inspire and motivate the family to love and appreciate each other. In this image, two brothers were standing at the car talking about how they used to visit the cemetery as little boys, and chase each around the grounds dodging headstones. If you look in the background you’ll notice a headstone. This moment for me demonstrated a unique form of intimacy between two brothers. Casually standing at the car, yet their hands were close enough to illustrate how close they felt as brothers. One of my favorites.

JC: You seem to be a photographer that holds personal experience and photography hand in hand … is this correct and if so, how do you go about making images in this way?

JE: I think you’re right. But, I don’t believe that makes me any different than other photographers. Just like most hipsters with cameras, I also have a deep artistic appreciation of the ordinary and mundane. Everyone can relate to this. I feel that our obsession with production, progress, and aesthetics has trained our eyes to ignore the beauty in the ordinary. And, as much as I want to believe my life is full of vigor and vibrancy, it’s mostly boring, plain, and challenging. Taking pictures of these sorts of moments help me cope and work towards a sense of contentment with my life as it is.

JC: What has 2010 got in store for you photographically?

JE: I’m releasing FROM THE POCKET: Book One this Spring. It will feature the best of the FTP project to date. I intend to release Book Two as the project continues to grow throughout the year. I hope to better the project artistically and attract some of the influential actors of the art community. I want to exhibit some of my work here in the city. Not that I’m trying to become famous or anything, but nothing is better than having someone say, “dude, I like that picture.” I can pretend and say that I make big plans for myself photographically, but to be honest, it’s mostly spontaneous and off the cuff. If I were to orchestrate my plans for photography projects, I would never be able to finalize anything because I get so overwhelmed with making just small decisions when it comes to my photography. So, I keep it simple and raw - like sashimi.

JC: Any words of wisdom to recent photography graduates?

JE: Photography graduates? I feel pressured now. I taught myself how to take pictures by screwing up over and over. So, all I can offer is: find a job, keep it, use that money to buy stuff you need to live, fall in love with something, and take pictures of it.

JC: Any other thoughts?

JE: Stay tuned for the book release in early Spring. If you like my project, or the iphoneography phenomenon, tell others. Because that’s just a real nice thing to do. I also welcome insight or advice as to how I could better my project, or portfolio site, or whatever else. And for those of you who wear Ugg boots - stop it.

Jeremy Blogs here.