Movember Self Portraits

The older I get, the clearer my confusion about life becomes :) 

What is life? 
Why is life? 
Who am I? 

The existentialism of it all! 

It’s not always a melancholic confusion - sometimes it’s a simple / cheerful acknowledgment that I don’t really know that much. Other times, the confusion is oppressive and I feel like I’m living in The Matrix and like I can’t trust anyone or anything. 

Today - I’m just doing my best with the tools I have to find a little bit of stillness and relief from the pressure of existing. I hope you are too :)  

The Movember Foundation is an organization focused on men’s health - suicide prevention as well as prostate & testicular cancer. I connected to it 8 years ago while struggling with my own mental health and discomfort around expressing my emotions & embracing my sexuality 🏳️‍🌈 - an ongoing journey for me. This month, I will be supporting the efforts of @movember by maintaining my mustache, donating a portion of my earnings from any shoot booked this month, and focusing on managing my own mental health.

self portraits photographed at my @industrycity studio - now open - email me for current info / availability 🙏

Adventures in Self Portraiture

self portraits photographed at my @industrycity studio - now open - email me for current info / availability 🙏 me

MOVEMBER 2022

The last couple of years - I’ve started this month feeling a bit burnt out, not my best, or just emotionally overwhelmed and wanting to check out of any and all responsibilities. This November, is no different - except in the fact that I see a pattern here and I can smile whilst I recognize it. I think I can call that growth 😊.

This growth has been a joint effort between myself, a therapist, support from friends, family, and an imperfect spiritual practice for the better part of 5 + years. Mental health is a journey, an ongoing and sometimes exhausting one that deserves space, nuance, and support. This November, I will be supporting the efforts of Movember by donating a portion of my earnings from any shoot booked this month. My Industry City studio is open - email me for current info / availability.

The Movember Foundation is an organization focused on men’s health - prostate & testicular cancer, as well as suicide prevention. I connected to it about 7 years ago while struggling with my own mental health and discomfort around expressing my emotions & embracing my sexuality 🏳️‍🌈.

These issues obviously affect everyone and the subject deserves compassionate conversation. See the link in my bio to learn more about The Movember Foundation and other ways to lend support.

Happy November, happy #Movember - BE WELL ✨

MOVEMBER SELF PORTRAITS

I want to have a beautifully written caption for this post. I want to eloquently describe my journey / relationship with mental health in the hopes that it will help at least one person following this account. Today - I don’t have the words, they aren’t coming easily because today, I don’t feel as clear as I care to be :)

Even between a committed mindfulness practice, a good therapist, and more support than most - clarity or feeling “okay” can be elusive and that is okay :)

So if you happen to be reading this and need a reminder - feeling “fine” is okay, feeling “good” is okay, feeling “bad” is okay - feeling your feelings is okay :)

The mission of @movember is to raise awareness for men’s health. They focus on mental health and suicide prevention, along with prostate and testicular cancer. I will happily be sporting a mustache this month to support the effort. I will also be donating a portion of any portrait session booked during the month of November directly to the Movember Foundation.

If you are able and would like to donate outside of booking a portrait session with me - follow @movember or click here :)