In 2019, Photolucida was able to offer a new Critical Mass award made possible by a generous endowment gifted to us by the Luminous Endowment for Photographers – an organization created by the late Michael Reichmann in 2007 to foster current and anticipated photography projects. Photolucida is excited to continue Michael’s legacy by providing this opportunity to emerging photographers. We caught up with last year's recipients to see how their projects were coming along now that nearly a year has passed, and despite the world being very different than it was when they received the grant, we found that they are all continuing to work on the projects that inspired Photolucida to support their endeavors!  Kristen Joy Emack -  "I’ve been documenting my daughter and nieces for about six years. Primarily it’s a record of them growing up together and all the nuances of kinship and connection that pass between them. Over time, as the girls started to mature, they became aware of the lack of positive imagery of girls of color. Cousins is about their relationship to each other, but it makes us happy knowing that the images can contribute to filling that void in representation." "There is something deeply frustrating about being an artist and not being able to control your vision of the presentation of your work because the cost of supplies is prohibitive.  I went to my very first portfolio review in April 2019. My first reviewer was Jessica Roscio, the curator of The Danforth Museum, and an all around lovely human. Months later, Jessica invited me to be a part of a beautiful group show she was curating called Family Circle at The Danforth - an amazing opportunity! More surprising was that she was interested in hanging 15 images. I was floored. Underneath my excitement and gratitude, was panic. I had no idea how I would ever be able to afford 15 quality frames, let alone how I would be able to frame them in a style that I felt best complimented the images. During this time I was blown away to become a Critical Mass 2019 Top 50 winner. Shortly after, I learned I was also one of three Michael Reichmann Project Grant awardees. I cannot tell you how many times I put my hand on my heart and thanked the forces of magic that helped bring these incredible opportunities my way. The grant money quelled my anxiety around framing concerns and I ordered 15 simple, modern, muted gold frames to showcase my Cousins series the way I envisioned." "I’m not denying that my hard work and abilities helped set me up for these accolades. I care very much about my work, about my daughter and nieces who the work documents and that I am thoughtful about what and where I enter, and who I chose to share my works-in-progress with. But talent and hard work without access can fall short. I was often very nervous to speak about lack of access in the photo world. I often feel like an outlier at openings where people are discussing home renovation projects, or summer homes when I’m secretly trying to figure out if I can afford decent summer camp for my daughter. I prefer to be transparent about it now, because I know I’m not alone." "I am deeply, earnestly grateful to Photolucida for offering this grant that, for me, leveled the playing field and allowed me to participate equally and directly. I’m thankful for the jury who looked through a huge amount of excellent work and went back to mine anyway, to take another look. Love and thanks to you Photolucida!!"