In 2024, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety—a turning point that deeply reshaped the way I viewed both myself and the world around me. In search of a way to process and express the complexity of what I was feeling, I turned to photography. It became not only a creative outlet, but a form of survival—a means of translating internal chaos into something visible, tangible, and ultimately, shareable.
This series, Cacophonia, is a visual and emotional exploration of my experience with mental illness. Each photograph is an attempt to give form to what is often invisible: the weight of despair, the fog of anxiety, the fleeting moments of clarity and softness in between. Choosing to shoot many of these images in the nude was a deliberate act—one rooted in vulnerability, honesty, and the stripping away of stigma. I wanted to confront the taboos surrounding mental health and embodiment, offering an unfiltered look at how these struggles manifest, not just psychologically, but physically and emotionally.
To accompany the visual work, I’ve written poems and personal texts that appear alongside each image. These words serve as a voice for the photographs—echoes of the inner dialogue that often remains unspoken. Together, image and text aim to create a multi-sensory experience that invites viewers into my world, not to seek sympathy, but to spark empathy, conversation, and reflection.
Cacophonia is not a cry for help—it is a declaration of presence. It is my way of reclaiming agency, beauty, and meaning from the depths of personal struggle, and offering it in its most honest, unguarded form.
Looking forward, I envision expanding this work into a collaborative project. I want to invite others—individuals who are navigating their own mental health journeys—to step in front of the camera. My aim is to create a safe and supportive space where they can explore and process their emotions, while also giving them a platform to be seen, heard, and represented with dignity.
By continuing this series with new voices and stories, I hope to build a growing archive of visual narratives that challenge stigma, foster empathy, and celebrate the resilience within each person. This is not just about documenting struggle—it's about reclaiming agency, cultivating understanding, and illuminating the nuanced, deeply human experience of mental illness.