Mental Illness Portraiture Project

San Jose CA

Description

I am looking for people to participate in my photo project on mental illness activism. I started this project 4 years ago and have photographed approximately 40 people so far. I am willing to drive to wherever is convenient for you to take your portrait. My goal for this work is to publish a book that inspires those who suffer with a mental health condition to seek out help as many individuals find a better quality of life through therapy, and not be ashamed. So far I have received the Associate Students Advocacy Award for this work at SJSU, and one portrait was selected to be in a national MFA show in New York at 1st Gallery. Below are links of the work that have been published from this project: Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mental-illness-photos_us_568ea8b8e4b0c8beacf60c48 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mental-illness-photos_us_56f57db4e4b0143a9b482461 Self Magazine http://www.self.com/trending/2016/04/this-photo-series-captures-the-challenges-of-living-with-ocd/ The Mighty https://themighty.com/2016/01/photo-series-offers-glimpse-at-the-private-lives-of-people-with-ocd/ Attn: Magazine http://www.attn.com/stories/7210/photos-show-what-ocd-really-feels-like Objectives: 1. Inspire hope in those who struggle with mental illness that they can get better and to not be ashamed or embarrassed 2. To raise awareness about mental illness and what it actually is 3. To contradict false stereotypes and stigmas associated with mental health matters and educate viewers. Why am I doing this? / Mission Statement: By giving the viewer a window into the daily challenges of mental health conditions, it is my intention that this project demonstrates the powerful effect and change sharing stories can have on others. I have adopted the 'Greater Good Motivation' of going beyond oneself by sharing my experience with OCD as a method of trying to help others who also struggle with OCD, and similar mental health related challenges. Because of this project, I am no longer embarrassed about having OCD and have felt a greater sense of freedom and purpose in my life. By combining activism and art, the stories in these photographs attempt to contradict the misleading stereotypes, perceptions, and stigmas encompassing public knowledge of mental health. If you are interested or know of someone that would like to participate and share their story and be photographed as part of my project, and to see my work please contact me at: Instagram: @danfenstermacher www.danfenstermacher.net Facebook: Dan Fenstermacher Photography Twitter: @dlfenstermacher Thank you, Dan Fenstermacher