I Love It Here, I Hate It Here, 2016-Current

I Love It Here, I Hate It Here

“I went to high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I am one of a handful of graduates from my class to go to college, let alone leave the state. I never wanted to leave, I wanted to stay home and do drugs with my buddies. I got my first camera when I turned 16. I started taking pictures of my friends which is how this project was conceived. Due to encouragement from my high school photography teacher and the fear of being trapped in my hometown, I left and went to college. I realize now I was really just running away. Mine is not a unique story and I think I deserve a lot worse than I got.”

I Love It Here, I Hate It Here is the debut project from American photographer Alexander D. Iglesias. I Love It Here, I Hate It Here is a photographic series documenting Iglesias’ hometown and childhood friends. Iglesias’ grew up in a small city in Tennessee which came with certain challenges. Being surrounded by drug use, mental illness, and the symptoms of American social issues shaped the way Iglesias' group of friends came to view the world and grow into themselves. The project documents how place changes and shapes people and celebrates the intimacy and connection shared in youth.