Reception: Patio Life by Jamie Collins at WinCAM

James M. Collins has over 25 years of industry experience working as an award-winning graphic designer and commercial photographer working with clients large and small—from international corporations to local small businesses across a wide index of markets in the design and production of their corporate communications. His work has appeared for clients on billboards, brochures, catalogs, magazines, tradeshows, websites and packaging. He specializes in product photography and environmental portraits.

Statement
There is a mean-looking wasp sitting on the arm of a teak chair on the patio in the back yard. Every day the wasp visits. Why does it keep landing on the chair?

I want answers.

I live in a densely populated town in Greater Boston that is five and a half square miles with 42,000 residents and an abundance of tiny, often unseen critters lurking in its yards—yards measured in square feet, not acres.

With a couple of chairs and a few flowers, a small suburban oasis was created on the patio.

But those wasps, and these tiny spiders that seem to jump into thin air? What else is living around me?

I need answers.

The camera provides an up-close peek at my fellow patio dwellers whose respective behaviors pique my curiosity and intrigue me.

All subjects seen were photographed outdoors in my backyard or front porch; none were harmed.

Whether planting a single flower or large garden—you won’t have to travel far to find interesting neighbors if you look close enough.

If you plant it, they will come. -JC