Behind The Façade - Stories Of The Unseen

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are” – Paul Caponigro.

Things like homelessness, PTSD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and drug addiction are so common in our society but rarely are we faced with them unless we, or someone close to us, is suffering from their effects.

For many years I’ve dreamed of embarking on a photography project to raise awareness of the daily plight faced by people with these issues so that I could raise awareness and help people tell their story in the hope that it helps them and others who may be struggling to ask for help.

The reason behind this stems from the start of my photography journey which began as a way of dealing with my own demons. Over the last 12 years photography has been the one thing I return to when I’m struggling with my own mental health. The moments of calm experienced when focusing on creating an image turns off the negative thoughts, tight chest, feelings of worthlessness and other destructive emotions I experience.

However, I am also fascinated by the motivation it brings me. Driving me to create and do something worthwhile so that I feel like I am doing something worthwhile something with my life. An activity to keep my mind active and focused. It reminds me to see things as half full rather than half empty.

Talking to others who experience the darkness also fascinates me. I am fortunate that I have coping mechanisms and a loving, supportive family. Many do not. One thing that links us all is the struggle to talk about how we feel even though it can be the best way to heal. If it were only that easy.

Inspired by the works of people like Lee Jeffries and Strong White Underbelly I have honed my skillset over the last decade to ensure I am capable of capturing portraits that tell a story and capture a person’s essence. I’ve spent many a dark night on the streets of Hobart and Melbourne talking to the homeless and people who will let me capture their image.

It’s dark, honest and confronting work.

Over the last 12 months my mental health has driven me back to focusing on my photography work. One morning in June 2024 as I walked to work, I experienced a surge of motivation and felt free from the excessive fear of failure. I made a call, spoke my intent out loud and now I’m doing something about it.

The moment has come and the time is right for me to take on and deliver this project. My goal is to not only leave viewers shocked, confronted and ultimately more aware but to also provide participants with an outlet to tell their story in the hope that it inspires others to do the same. If this project helps 1 person seek help then it is a