Christopher “Boats” Oshana born in Bristol, Connecticut and raised in West Barnet, Vermont. Surrounded by a rich and vibrant history that encompassed everything from local farming, sugar shacks and lumber mills. Graduating from Blue Mountain Union High School in June of 1984, he then enlisted into the US Navy. Oshana was captivated and lured to the US Navy by its rich and diverse history, in addition to having the opportunity to travel and see the world. His journey began as he shipped out to Basic Training at Naval Training Center Great Lakes in December 1984. After graduating basic training in February of 1985, he reported to his first duty station, USS Sylvania (AFS-2). He reenlisted and transferred to Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, Dam Neck, Virginia, where his primary duties were as a military working dog handler. Oshana extended in December of 1992 and was assigned to the USS El Paso (LKA-117) followed by a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. Other duty stations include the USS Puget Sound (AD-38), USS Tortuga (LSD-46), Amphibious Construction Battalion Two and finally Navy Recruiting District Phoenix. After 20 incredible years of service on 31 December 2004, he retired from active duty with the United States Navy. Oshana now currently works for the Department of Defense, which began in August 2005, he was hired by the U. S. Army’s Phoenix Army Recruiting Battalion and has worked as an Operations Analyst.
In 2006 he was inspired to take some portraits of his twin daughters, ultimately submitting them to a photography contest which resulted his first published photograph, with an enthusiasm for photography Oshana decided to pursue his passion full time. Through his employment with the US Army he has been called upon on numerous occasions to assist with event coverage to support the Battalion that consists of Army Future Soldiers Events and Annual Training Conference Portraits ranging from 25 to over 350 attendees.
Oshana’s photography has received several awards including the Maricopa County Community College District Artist of Promise winner in 2011 and the Western Eye Photography Competition 2012. Since then he has gone on to create his own business, Oshana Digital Productions. In 2013, he was granted a workspace and an internship with photographer and local business owner Wayne Rainey at the monOrchid Gallery. Oshana continues to assist Rainey Studios at the monOrchid. His artwork has been featured in several publications both online and in print including The Recruiter Journal, North Valley Magazine, Phoenix New Times, and Local Revibe Magazine. He has exhibited his photography across the valley including the monOrchid, Public Image and Banner University Medical Center, Tucson.
When given the opportunity to work at the monOrchid, he needed to give back and challenge himself with a project, he did a lot of things with the VFW and it was suggested that he shoot wounded warriors. He thought long and hard and it came to him that they have a spot light on them all the time, it is the warriors, that are visually in one piece but are really fighting for their lives on a daily basis. Those are the ones with PTS. PTS plays havoc of the warrior, whether they are having nightmares, anger issues, depression or other issues relating to it. These warriors have seen something that they cannot shake.
"PTSD, The Invisible Scar" is a photographic and film documentary project (Invisible Scar Film) about veterans who have been diagnosed with PTS. It invites the viewers to look beyond the facades and inside the private lives of a few of our country's veterans who suffer from PTS. As a retired Navy veteran and photographer, he has able to bridge the gap between these worlds, exposing the invisible scars that these brave men and women bare.
Oshana has been working on this project for more than five years, he has heard a lot of stories, has kept his composure, and has been able to start the conversation that no one has been able to start without pre-judging. Chris is extremely honored and humbled by the men and women that have participated by sharing their stories and allowing him to photograph them in a vulnerable place.
