Near or Far

"Near or Far" is an ongoing series of photographic portraits that explore a constant negotiation of power, trust, intimacy, and communication. I'm captivated by intimate human relationships due to their complex, dynamic, and often unpredictable nature. I photograph friends of diverse socio-political statuses, national and sexual identities, in their homes located in Calgary, Canada. I take the time to listen to their personal stories and transform these inspirations into fictional narratives within my images. Creating these pieces is a process of my self-reflection and a journey of introspection. I’m fascinated by what the camera can see and what my subjects want to reveal. We want to be seen; we have the urge to connect, yet we worry about exposing our true selves. Our relationship with ourselves affects our connections with others. When looking at this work, we could consider, do we sometimes seek outward acceptance without taking the time to look inward? Perhaps we have a hard time truly accepting and understanding ourselves. Exploring and reflecting on moments of self-doubt takes courage. Giving permission to ourselves to be vulnerable and authentic makes us, and our relationships stronger.