Introduction
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” — E.E. Cummings
DECENNIUM: Per Merdas et Risus is a long-term, collaborative portrait series documenting a highly intelligent, intensely driven young athlete and academic. What began in 2021 in Christopher’s home studio as a single feature for the Youthful Ambition series quickly evolved. Recognizing a unique creative chemistry, the project transformed into a dedicated, decade-long visual archive, captured in real-time as the subject crosses from boyhood into early manhood.
The title—a dry, Latin translation of the high schooler’s own favorite phrase, “just for shits and giggles”—perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the project. Because the subject navigates a grueling, high-pressure schedule of elite athletics and academics, these sessions serve as a creative and therapeutic release.
There are no forced or artificial poses here. While Christopher provides a wide variety of theatrical scenarios, costumes, and concepts, the young man commands the space with his own natural form, discipline, and multi-instrumental talents. Now in its fifth year, this ongoing collaboration stands as an intimate, evolving record of growth and mutual inspiration.
Project Statement
DECENNIUM: Per Merdas et Risus did not begin with a grand plan or a pre-determined message. It grew organically from the simple, shared joy of time spent together and a mutual drive to create beautiful images.
By tracking a single, exceptional youth sequentially over a ten-year horizon, the series captures a rare look at the quiet weight of high achievement. The images strip away the casual sentimentality of childhood to reveal something much heavier and more grounded: the intense focus, the physical grit, and the deep, silent discipline required to pursue excellence.
The theatricality of the shoots—moving from stark, serious studio portraits to playful setups with masks, crowns, and the subject’s own saxophone—creates a deliberate space of refuge. It is a visual playground where a young man carrying adult-sized responsibilities can step away from the pressure of the world and simply explore his own identity through art.
Ultimately, this work is about the emergence of potential. Watching this young man grow, adapt, and hold his focus through the demanding years of adolescence is a profound reminder of what it looks like to quietly strive for greatness. The series stands as a tribute to that early fire, offering a message of pure inspiration: to look at the challenges of life, find the space to laugh, and push yourself to be the absolute best you can be.