I grew up in the small town of Steszew not far from Poznan, the city where I was born. At the time Steszew had around 5000 inhabitants and was small enough for the 'everyone knows everyone' mentality. It was surrounded by Greater Poland National Park so there was plenty of forests and lakes around the city.
My father worked at the Museum of Farming a few kilometres up north, he was a master of gardening (it was his official title). He was always at war with people he worked with, “fucking communists” he used to say. Regardless he would wake up every morning, take his train to work to earn money and provide for his family.
My mother worked at the library of the 2nd Primary School. I attended school here together with my older brother (1 year) who we called 'Metal' and with Piotr who grew up with us, living next door to our flat. My mom didn't have an easy life because of this, everyone at school knew 'the teachers children were the worst'. The slightest bit of trouble and my tutors would take me to my Mums workplace and complain about my behaviour or lack of interest in what they had to say.
There was another primary school in Steszew, the 1st. It was located at the other side of town, by the river. There was a rivalry between the two schools, for some reason we never liked each other but overtime things changed. Baran, who became one of our best friends used to go there. Also Jacuch and Krzychu, two brothers, but it was different with them, as they used to live in the same block we did.
After 8 years in the primary school I went to 21st High School in Poznan. Piotr, who we started to call 'Ela' went to this same place and also Szczepan (who I met at primary). I met Blady, who opened my eyes to Lech Poznan, the famous Kolejorz, the football team I support. We used to go to the stadium at Bulgarska Street and cheer the players.
It was at the end of high school when photography 'happened' to me. It was time when I did not know what to do with myself so I decided to go and learn photography. I've started at a school but I didn't really like it and so I didn’t finish (I remember it was too expensive as well). Still I was really hungry to make pictures, especially since I did not feel I had the talent and patience to draw comics. I really believe comic books gave me with my first education in composition.
Around this time on television I saw a documentary series about the best photographers. Every week they would present a different photographer's profile. Joseph Rodriguez was one of them. In the program he was explaining the way he made his 'East Side Stories' project the images they flicked through on screen stunned me. It was a real eye opener for me: 'so you can tell stories like this? From that point on I started to take pictures of my friends and family...
These images were taken between 2002 - 2012 in various locations, mostly in Steszew in Greater Poland, where I used to live. I continue to work on the project and I photograph every time I travel back home. It is for me, as Chris Verene said about his 'Family' work: 'a life time project'. This year I will travel back in June.
The project started naturally, when I was discovering photography and when I began to photograph my family and friends. Through out the years 'Here I am (Autobiography)' grew to be not only a long term personal story but also a record of the social changes that are happening in Poland. I started to photograph just before Poland became a part of EU and I've continued to document the changes in the years since. Many of my friends, including myself, emigrated to other countries and the life of those who stayed in Poland is different from what I remember. Every time I go back I feel like I've been dropped into another, alternative reality. I am planning to publish a book with this work.
The majority of photographs were shot on film, but in 2012 I was using both, film and digital.
