About six years ago, I had a year from hell that left me floored and questioning much of what I’d hitherto believed to be me. The two years that followed were pretty dire too – I ended up living in lots of different places, including a few spells in my car - as I tried to keep my head above water financially and my sanity and health intact. Unfortunately, I had a breakdown. Until I got medical help a year or so later, I didn’t know I was having, or had had a breakdown, I just knew things weren’t right. As part of my efforts to make myself better, I started going for walks. I didn’t have a camera at the time, just my phone. While walking I started meeting and talking to people, something I was desperate to do and which I found healing. These conversations felt honest and open.
Eventually I started asking the people I met, if I could take their picture. At first, taking the picture wasn’t the most important thing, the chance to talk was. I started putting the pictures on Instagram because I didn’t (and still don’t) have a website. Instagram suited me though: I could edit and post quickly and it wasn’t too technical. As part of my effort to change my circumstances, I started volunteering for a Brighton-based charity – Team Domenica – and got to use a camera to help promote their activities, which was huge boost to my confidence. Since then I’ve continued going for walks, talking to people and taking pictures, even during lockdown.
Most of the pictures I’ve shared are of people I’ve met on the street. They all have a story, and I can remember each of them. My hope now is to continue going for walks, meeting people and taking their picture.