Local photographer Adam Strachn knows how to lend a helping hand. Earlier this summer, amidst Indianapolis' reopening, Adam took the lead creating a meaningful avenue to market local businesses. The result, We Are Circle City, offers Indy businesses free imagery assets and marketing materials to share their reopening plans to the public. 

I was able to ask Adam some questions about the impactful project's beginnings and his dreams for the future:

How did you get the idea to assist local Indy businesses with free marketing images?

I got back into photography after two years off to refocus on my culinary career; then everything got shut down. No one seems to help these businesses so I figured I could give it a go with the skills and knowledge I've acquired over the years. Other than images, I'm helping with brand dynamics and aesthetic, free promotion on Instagram and wearecirclecity.com and classes on photography and editing with Adobe Lightroom - just to name a few. I’ve seen the positive response from the community!

Can you describe the journey so far?

It's been incredible. My feelings about everything have resonated with the community, meeting everyone, and hearing their stories has been heartwarming, and a bit tragic at the same time. I don't know many people here in Indy, so it's been very rewarding that so many have let a stranger into their personal lives. I can't thank them enough for the opportunity to be part of their story.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Adam Strachn (@thecatalystmachine) on

 

If business owners were interested in utilizing your photography skills, what would you like them to know? How can they get involved?

I started @We_Are_Circle_City on Instagram for promotion and showcasing my sessions as well as wearecirclecity.com All necessary information contacts are there. I look forward to working with local businesses to showcase their stories and create lasting relationships as we navigate the pandemic together. 

What has been your favorite part of the process, so far? Any big plans for the future?

My favorite part has been connecting with everyone. So many personalities, each unique and beautiful. Everyone has something to bring to the table; you just have to look for it. I am currently working on a lot for the future. I started an IGTV channel on both my main account and the community hub to showcase cooking sessions from the farms' seasonal produce and local shops' ingredients. It's also going to segue into a YouTube cooking channel. I am trying to figure out a way to have cooking classes or a similar event at farms in the region to bring people there at an affordable cost to witness where the food comes from and use it at home.

I'm working on hosting photography walks around the city for amateurs and pros alike, and afterwards we eat at a local joint to support them. I'm doing this all by myself, so it's going to take time, but those are just a few of the ideas/projects I'm working on. Currently, trying to find freelance work around the city and get into portrait work for families to have a sustainable income so that I might continue to aid the community without restriction. I just need people to reach out. I can't do everything alone forever.

Follow @We_Are_Circle_City and @thecatalystmachine on Instagram to keep up with Adam's journey.