After a few years of researching his family lineage, translations were made, paperwork was sent, self-portraits were produced and finally an Italian passport was handed over to an American man.
Daniel Grant’s Grandfather, Giovani D’Andrea, was an immigrant from Italy, who braved numerous odds and obstacles to reestablish himself in the United States for a better life in 1924. The passport was an unknowing gift to a Grandson he had only met once, just before he passed on and 25 years before the passport was issued.
Although nothing more than a booklet of paper with official numbers, the passport was much more valuable to the mind of this fine art photographer. A door had been opened to a world much more significant and personal. With a bag of film and vintage cameras in his bag, Daniel began a journey documenting his Grandfather’s passage through Europe where he eventually left on a ship towards uncertainty.
The images in the series ‘Journeys Abroad’ are a reflection of a romanticized time of foreign lands with colorful characters, overheard conversations in familiar but distant languages, exotic smells and warm summer nights. Daniels images are an ode to his Grandfather’s adventurous spirit and generous gift. The images Daniel produces tell a story of his experiences. His formative years were spent traveling through the United States, Mexico and Europe, where culture, art and the natural environment made a lasting impression. Searching for the best way to be expressive and to create his own unique form of storytelling, his voice was found through the novel and unique views of analog vintage cameras. This choice was not because of the cameras perfection, but for their lack of precision, control and focus. By taking away the technical aspect of picture making, a sincere representation of the subject matter and vision of this photographer becomes evident. [Official Website]
