Please Help Replace My Broken Camera

My name is Christopher Oates. I'm an artist living and working with HIV and mental illness in New York City. I'm one of those weird people who take pictures of strangers without asking for permission. You can see my street photography on Instagram where I post my favorite images as @photohustler. Scattered throughout that gallery are drafts of my autobiography project where you can learn more about who I am and what I create.

I'm raising money to replace my broken camera that Sony refuses to repair under warranty due to rain damage. Unfortunately, repairing the Sony would only be throwing good money after bad. My damaged camera, the a7rII, is not strong enough to survive my creative process. I'll be using these funds to purchase a more durable camera body and a pair of lenses with better weather sealing, spare batteries, memory cards, and printer supplies. Oh yeah... and a 4-year accidental damage guarantee so that I can shoot confidently, knowing I'll be covered if my gear fails.  

Photography is as much therapy for me as it is work. Following my HIV diagnosis I felt a crippling sense of isolation and hopelessness. Going out for walks with my camera helped me reconnect with the world in a way that my anxiety and depression made me think was impossible. Gradually confidence replaced hopelessness and I realized that despite the unconventional and traumatic manner in which it happened, I was living my childhood dream of making art in New York City every day. 

I make my work available free to download and print because I believe that art should benefit all. Unfortunately that isn't a profitable business model so I'm depending on this fundraiser and the participation of people like you to continue making my work. I'm extremely grateful for all donations, and to express my gratitude I'm offering a few rewards.