Pauly V (he/him) is an eco/experimental analog photographer, a diabetic test strip sign collector, and a photo blogger who lives with chronic illness (type 1 diabetes, lyme) in so-called Kalamazoo, Michigan. His artistic work is a direct response to late-stage capitalism and escalating climate catastrophe. He publishes and distributes KZOO FILM PHOTO, a free* photography zine.
In addition to being a zine, KZOO FILM PHOTO is the banner under which Pauly’s photographic work is published, synonymous with all of his photographic work.
DIABETICGUY.ORG is an iteration of his ongoing Care Before Profit project, and is its own project. It is the banner under which all of Pauly’s creative work related to diabetes is published. It is synonymous with Pauly himself.
His work has been featured in Lenscratch and The Sun Magazine.
PROJECTS
KZOO FILM PHOTO [ZINE] (2023-present)
if it isn’t free, is it really a zine? zines and diy publishing have always been rooted in the free exchange of information and ideas, and are a place where counterculture thrives. in a capitalist system, the exchange of information is controlled by the wealthy in order to further concentrate their power and to oppress everyone else. diy publishing is an alternative to mainstream, corporate, gov’t controlled media platforms–zines give us a radical way to share ideas, imagine what is possible, and build meaningful connections with each other. copies of KZOO FILM PHOTO will always be free and can be found throughout so-called kalamazoo in little free libraries. IF YOU CAME TO THIS ZINE AT NO COST TO YOU, CONSIDER CONTIRBUTING MONEY TO COVER THE COSTS OF PRODUCTION.
some copies of KZOO FILM PHOTO will always be free and can be found throughout so-called kalamazoo’s network of little free libraries.
revenue from this project provides free menstrual supplies and diapers in the so-called kalamazoo and battle creek area.
Care Before Profit (2019-present)
[This is an excerpt from my artist’s statement that was distributed as a zine for my Care Before Profit: A Diabetic Perspective on Healthcare Under Capitalism photography installation on Friday, Nov. 01, 2024 / 5-8 PM]
[Care Before Profit] is a direct response to the status quo of for-profit so-called-healthcare. Through the production of the work, I have created agency and meaning for myself and, I hope, for others living with chronic illness. In many ways, the art itself is a reflection of what it is like to live with diabetes: a practice in accepting and embracing imperfect results in a complex and (at times) unpredictable process. Look closely and you may see what I mean. As you take it in, I encourage you to consider: what does it feel like to live in an economic system that values profits more than one’s own life, and in a culture that keeps that system thriving? Read more
watch the doc:
source:water (2024-present)
a response to late-stage capitalism and escalating climate catastrophe, i create analog images by exposing and developing photographic film on-site, using the location’s available water supply and foraged materials to create place specific developers.
the darkroom
((it’s a water heater closet))
risographic
PUBLICATIONS
•Jan 2023-present, KZOO FILM PHOTO [ZINE], Issues 01-10
•Oct 2025, KZOO COMMUNITY ZINE Vol. 3, KALAMAZINE: ART AND POETRY FROM THE COMMUNITY, Vol. 3, by KZOO ZINE FEST, “vials”, pg 09
•Oct 2024, KZOO COMMUNITY ZINE Vol 2, The KZOO COMPILATION, by KZOO ZINE FEST, “concerning saying goodbye 09, 08, 03”, pg 14, 15
•Aug 2024, The Sun Magazine, “Untitled Photo”, pg 45 in “Clean Breaks” by Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum, pg 39
•Dec 2023, The Sun Magazine, “Untitled Photo”, pg 13 in “Speak, Memory” by Derek Askey, pg 6
•Feb 2023, AWAKE/ASLEEP [zine] by Sløtface, “Untitled Photos”, pg 4
EXHIBITIONS / SCREENINGS
•Apr 2026, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection/Best Documentary, Wolf Tree Film Festival, Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall, MI
•Jan 2026, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection, Blue Box Film Festival, Tivoli Theatre, Spencer, IN
•Sep 2025, CYANOTYPE-Screening and Exhibition, Connected in Motion: Ontario Slipstream, Camp Couchiching, Orillia, ON, CA
•Sep 2025, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection, Grand Rapids Film Festival, Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids, MI
•Jun 2025, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection, Sunflower Film Festival, The Lucky Wolf, Paw Paw, MI
•Apr 2025, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection, Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti (IFFY): Michigan-ish, Riverside Arts Center – Theatre, Ypsilanti, MI
•Mar 2025, CYANOTYPE-Official Selection, Kalamazoo Film Society (KFS) Filmmaker Showcase, Celebration Cinema, Portage, MI
•Nov 2024, Solo Exhibition, Care Before Profit/KADI Grant Project, Park Trades Center/ Saniwax Gallery/ Recreation Collective, Kalamazoo, MI
•May 2024, Solo Exhibition, Art Hop, Salon Noir, Kalamazoo, MI
•Mar 2024, Group Exhibition, This Body of Mine, The Starving Artist, Online
•Dec 2023, Group Exhibition, The Art of Giving, Move with Joy Studio Gallery, Kalamazoo, MI
•Oct 2022, Solo Exhibition, PRF Campout, Pretty Lake Camp, Mattawan, MI
•Sep 2021, Group Exhibition, KVCC Community Photography Exhibit, Center for New Media, Kalamazoo, MI
LATEST POST
- “BEST DOCUMENTARY” AWARD and TATTOOS
I just wanted to send a quick note to let y’all know that CYANOTYPE won “best doc” at Wolf Tree Film Festival over this past weekend. If you haven’t seen it, check it out here and SHARE WIDELY. I also got my knuckles tattooed: ..i., - Concerning Saying Goodbye, p2.
When I left my previous job at Pretty Lake in 2024, I spent time at the Pond , exposed three rolls of film, and developed them on site using the pond water. The idea of processing photos in this way had come to me a couple of years ago and I now consider these… Read more: Concerning Saying Goodbye, p2. - NEW ZINE!!! NOV. IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH// ORDER NOW!
Hey friends, I have a new zine out for Diabetes Awareness Month. If you do nothing else this month in recognition of it, please buy yourself a copy, and a copy for a friend while you’re at it. (If you’re a zine subscriber, you’ll be getting it in the mail relatively soon). Your support… Read more: NEW ZINE!!! NOV. IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH// ORDER NOW! - KZOO ZINE FEST/ SAT 10/11/2025/ 12-5 PM
If you’re in the area, come through Kzoo Zine Fest: Oct 11, 2025/ 12-5 PM/ Dormouse Theatre/ 1036 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001/ Masks required/ provided. - Black Walnut Film Developer
I received an email last month from someone inquiring about developing film using black walnuts, saying that all they could find online was this post of mine. Below is the information that I emailed back, roughly edited. - vials, developed in insulin
•camera: pinsta go •paper: ilford direct positive •developer: insulin dev. •scanner: epson v600 (no post) vials/// insulin developer/ 4×5 direct positive paper/ pinhole I used 20ml of insulin to develop this photo. 20 ml of insulin is the equivalent of 2 vials, and the amount of insulin that I need to stay alive for… Read more: vials, developed in insulin - Kzoo Night Market/ New Riso Prints/ HOT PINK!!
Oops! Late notice! I’ll be vending at the Kalamazoo Night Market tonight with some new riso prints (below). I’ll also have some of these riso prints with me. I’m super grateful for ARK for the opportunity! 🙂 I will also have darkroom prints for sale for the first time! And zines! The market runs… Read more: Kzoo Night Market/ New Riso Prints/ HOT PINK!! - Silver Creek Pathway on DIY Redscale
•camera: pentax k1000 •film stock: fujifilm superia 400 (flipped) •developed and scanned: pink folder film house These photos were made with DIY redscale film made from Fuji Superia 400 film stock. It is made by unrolling a cassette of the film in a darkroom (or bag), cutting it off of the spool, then flipping the… Read more: Silver Creek Pathway on DIY Redscale - OPEN SEASON ON MF DIABETIC TEST STRIP SIGNS!!! ..i.,
•cameras: kodak disposable, kodak m35 reusable •film stock: kodak 800, fujifilm superia 400 •developed and scanned: pink folder film house To the best of my knowledge, I’ve removed every diabetic test strip sign that popped up in Kalamazoo this year. Fuck those signs! Here are some highlights of my work. That, and my good… Read more: OPEN SEASON ON MF DIABETIC TEST STRIP SIGNS!!! ..i., - some photos from grand rapids
•camera: pentax k1000 •stock: fomapan 400 •developer: caffenol-c-h •scanner: epson v600 here are some photos from grand rapids.