Community · Polaroid Portrait Exchange
A long-term documentary art project preserving the stories behind the people who shape us. Each exchange begins with a question and ends with two portraits — one to keep, one for the archive.
The archive isn't organized around fame — it's organized around influence. Teachers, coaches, neighbors, strangers with good stories. Anyone worth remembering counts.
Two instant mini Polaroids are taken first.
While they develop, one question gets asked: who helped make you who you are? The answer is recorded on video.
You choose one Polaroid to keep. The other is signed and joins the archive — paired with your video response, AR-activated so the print comes alive when scanned.
The Archive
Every portrait in this archive was exchanged in person — no submissions, no uploads. Just conversations, one at a time.
First Chapter
Chicago · July 2026 — the archive opens here, then keeps growing.
Be notified when the first portraits are added to the archive.
No spam. Just the archive, as it grows.