In “what it’s like to feel (nothing but hugs and kisses)”, I confront the struggle of dealing with major depression and articulating the depths of my emotions. Words often fall short–unable to encapsulate the vast expanse of assumptions and relentless ruminations that fuck with my mind. As a queer, Black man, the challenges of existing in a world that others and stigmatizes individuals like me only add to the difficulty of this journey. Yet, it's amidst this dissonance that I continue to seek meaning and purpose, forging connections that remind me of the profound relationships that anchor my life. Photography and art making has become my conduit for understanding these feelings, allowing me to better navigate the serpentine pathways of my thoughts.

Through various photographic techniques and genres–portraits of myself and loved ones, physical collage and manipulation, urban landscapes, and digital construction–I futilely attempt to decipher the complexities of my mental health and the world around me.

Ultimately, the images created in this project are meant to serve not only as a personal catharsis, but also as a quasi-journalistic endeavor; inviting others to bear witness to the profound struggles and triumphs that we, the lesser valued brothers, sisters, and enbies of this community, face in grappling with our own existence.