DTA Go: Who in the World is Jumping at the Bean? Photography Show at Water Street Studios
Susan May Moody is a local street photographer from Batavia. Moody had her first solo show at The Yetee in May. Now Moody is gearing up for a show that highlights only the photos that she takes at the “Bean” in Chicago.
Q: When did you first shoot a photo at the Bean?
About three years ago during my lunch hour, I started walking to the Bean and back to help with weight loss. While walking I would take random street photos, including some at the Bean. I created a Facebook page called “To the Bean and Back Shooting from the Hip!” where I would post ALL of my pictures from each walk.
I’m not exactly sure when, but around two years ago, I approached someone at the Bean and asked if they would jump for me. I wanted to see what the reflection and shadows would look like. I was then hooked.
I had a Facebook contest about a year ago asking friends to help me rename my “To the Bean and Back. . .” page because it had morphed into just photos of people from all over the world who I would get to jump. Local musician Greg Boerner was the winner with the awesome, yet simple “Jumping at The Bean” entry.
Q: Where do you work and what compels you to walk to the Bean?
I work in Chicago for a large law firm in the building located at the corner of Madison and Wacker. I have been a legal assistant in the environmental department for many years.
I now walk to the Bean on sunny days to encourage folks from all over the world to jump and to share a little of their story with me. I love people and I know that they each have an awesome story. Some don’t think so, but once they start talking it is surprising what they share with me, a total stranger.
Q: How long does it take you to walk to the Bean?
From the law firm to the Bean it takes me about 12-15 minutes, if I walk fast.
Q: What was your wildest experience at the Bean?
It probably was the one dealing with my favorite pics so far. There was a bride and groom, and they were having their pictures taken by a hired professional photographer and when she took a short break I approached the bride and groom and asked if they would do a “jump shot” for me. They agreed and as we were walking just several feet towards the Bean to set up the shot, their photographer came running and said, “Do you want THIS woman to take your picture?” to which they responded, “Yes!” After taking my shot, I encouraged their photographer to do the same. She took three shots, got up, and thanked me!
But there have been acrobatics, an engagement, Spiderman, dinosaurs, etc.
Q: Who have you photographed at the Bean that made a deep impression on you?
Wow. That has to be when I approached Michael Barrow, who agreed to jump, did jump, and afterwards I asked him where he was from (New Mexico) and what brought him to Chicago. He shared that he was in town headed to Northwestern Hospital to have a stem cell transplant to possibly cure his Parkinson’s, when I shared with him that I have survived a stem cell transplant, we were instantly connected and I am proud to call him a friend now.
He has blessed me far, far, far more than he claims I have blessed him. He writes a blog and was so gracious to include our encounter in one of his posts.
Q: Do you eat lunch?
Yes. When I return to work I eat at my stand up desk.
Q: What are your tips for shooting at the Bean?
Shoot on sunny days (I DOUBLE LOVE shadows and reflections), and get low to the ground thus making the jumpers appear to jump really high.
“Who in the World is Jumping at The Bean? Photography Show” opens at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 18 at Water Street Studios in Batavia. The show is upstairs in the Kane Country Chronicle Gallery, and opens in conjunction with the sixth anniversary show in the main gallery.
