i’ll make myself famous
One year ago (though it honestly feels like a lifetime), some fellow urban explorer/photographer friends and I were lucky enough to climb one of Toronto’s most amazing high-rises—one that we had often dreamed of visiting but never thought possible until the opportunity suddenly presented itself. After that serendipitous day, a photo Tom Ryaboi took of me went viral around the world and launched something of a global rooftopping photography movement. The full story is finally revealed on the photo’s anniversary via 500px‘s blog. Do check it out.
Today, I present my own series of photos in a followup and tribute to the famous photo in question, called “I’ll make ya famous”.
The title of this post is, of course, tongue-in-cheek and a play on the original, which was actually taken at the exact same moment that I captured the photos you see here. I never published my perspective on “I’ll make ya famous” because around that time, I fell into one of my worst creative ruts ever. While I still forced myself to shoot constantly, I lost the motivation to edit and the confidence to publish any photos I took (thus the birth of the year-long, Mount Everest-sized backlog I’ve been talking about).
Although I was really excited and proud to watch Tom’s tsunami-like success unfold, the popularity of his photo further cemented my own insecurities because, hey, there was no way my photography could compare, so why try at all? The photos from that day were buried and selectively forgotten, and although I didn’t like to admit it then, “I’ll make ya famous” became a source of mild resentment.
Well, it’s been a year. The move to Denmark happened and all manner of new experiences, new people, new places, and new things to shoot suddenly fell into my lap. I’ve fallen in love with photography again and I once more look at my camera as an extension of my mind’s eye, rather than a monetary burden and a reminder of my own shortfalls. I hardly recognize the person I was this time last year, and even looking at my old Lightroom catalog, I hardly recognize the way I saw through my own eyes. For this particular set of photos, it’s now or never—publish, or forever let them sit on my hard drive and in the back of my mind as “that time I let self-doubt win.” And let’s be real, I couldn’t live with that.
What’s next? On the immediate horizon, a lot that doesn’t involve scaling tall buildings. Will it be half as cool? I guess we’ll have to see.
But damn, do I miss those Toronto roofs!
as of now in Toronto your post was made in the future. neat stuff.
glad to see the return to surfboard spirit, keep the converse running.
I think there is a good lesson to be learned here, and his name is Dennis Maitland, a guy that stuck with his unoriginal series and took it all the way to the bank. He has been in more newspapers then all of us combined.
Jealousy will get you nowhere.
Hahahaha what bank? There’s no money in any of this, remember?
Yeah, I’ve learned a lesson. NOT to go that route, because I’d never forgive myself for not doing better.
Also, I’m done with those fucking shoes. If I weren’t in Denmark I’d add them to the burning party.
Happy you didn’t keep these amazing photos for yourself
hi Jen. great article and I can totally identify with what you went through with your attitude about your own photography. I seem to only shoot when I am on vacation now… its the newness thats the inspiration. Loved your photos in the article btw.
Great shots and story, Jen. What ever happened to shooting for yourself? Fuck other people.
Beautiful photographs. Keep on shooting and sharing!
My first reaction to Toms picture … great … second reaction … those are a girls legs … must be trusting the guy very much to let him stand that close behind
… So actually your guts made his picture possible. After reading his account I thought … wish I could see her images too and compare … so thank you very much for showing them now … your’s are different, but I like them too … and I think the Chucks added to all of them … Converse should pay you two guys for the add 
… Keep up the good spirit ! Wish you good light at the right moment.
I wandered into your site from a post by Tom which was also about the original photos from that day. I’m an urban explorer (more rural lately). I was happy to find your post, another woman explorer. We seem to be quieter about what we do. Your photos are just as great as Tom’s famous photos. You just didn’t broadcast them. Maybe that’s the real lesson for us. Be at least a bit more bold.