Sage Sohier © Passing Time - Perrine, FL, 1981

Words and Images by Sage Sohier

Photo Edited by Kelly Woodyard

How did your series come to be?

“Passing Time” came out of photographs that I made between 1979-1986 of people in their environments. I published “Americans Seen,” photographs from this same time period, in 2017. The pictures are mostly about people—often family groups or groups of kids—playing or hanging out in neighborhoods. Were there any challenges that came up while working on this project? The main challenge was the need to be out there as much as possible in good weather, driving and walking around looking for interesting people and situations to photograph. And getting up the nerve to ask for permission to photograph--the potential awkwardness of intruding on people’s personal space; there are some days when one just can’t do it.

Sage Sohier © Passing Time - Newburgh, NY, 1983

Describe your creative process in one word?

Persistence

What inspires you to pursue image-making?

I fell in love with photography in college and knew that that’s what I had to spend my life doing. It’s a kind of addiction, and my life doesn’t feel complete unless I have a project or two that I’m working on and excited about.

Sage Sohier © Passing Time - Wilkes Barre, PA, 1983

What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?

The Lucas Dhont film, “Close.”

Sage Sohier © Passing Time - East Boston, MA, 1981

What advice would you give to people just starting out in photography?

Start by photographing what you know and have access to (your family, etc.). Look at lots of photography books and exhibitions and draw ideas and inspiration from multiple sources.