'ImperfectlyPerfect Campaign'

Image: LA Based Performer & Co-Founder of Australian Theatre Co. @nickhardcastle

Firstly I’d like to thank everybody for supporting my vision for this project to even start with.

I suppose it came about from finding out via social media friends I once knew back home had sadly taken their lives due to depression. . What’s worse as it seems to be the case these days, is that nobody knew any of the issues these people were going through. Seeing several social media postings with pictures & videos showing these guys (yes, both guys) looking like the life & soul of the party and one hugging his little boy tight in his arms, really hit it home for me. Seeing the guy who looked like he had everything going for him, a loving wife, career and little boy to sadly taking his life. Just such a permanent thing! . I guess I wanted to try to make an impact in some shape or form and reinforce that pain is temporary & suicide is permanent...so don’t do it! .

It got me thinking how I could at least try and make a difference. With social media having a positive platform for reaching out to people on one hand, I feel it has also slowly taken away personal touch & again, probably a factor as to why nobody knew or reached out to these guys.

What we tend to see on social media is only the ‘positive’ sides to a persons reality. What they want us to see. . From LA to Sydney I decided through my photography I could make somewhat of an impact through raw emotive visuals. . Bringing onboard friends, contacts and some incredible public figures, I want to bring to light that everybody at one time or other can go through issues like this (public figures...we think we know them from their online ‘celeb’ status...but we have no idea of their story) ...& know that their will always be light at the end of the tunnel if we either open up or we ask are friends / family or neighbours...RUok? . It really is time we put social media to the side when it comes to ‘real, authentic meaningful personal touch’ . If this project can merely make an impact on one person we have done our job!

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I am so grateful that my project has gained some incredible response, so much so that an amazing charity @thebanksiaproject reached out in regards to how we could align our message of awareness together.

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I look forward to see what we can do together, with the help of everyone coming on board in aim to help raise more attention to #mentalawareness.

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Yes, my images are confronting, raw but they are also very REAL and if they can make a difference to even just one person in reaching out for help, then I am happy.

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If you need to talk please reach out to @thebanksiaproject today .

You can find more of my work for the campaign via Instagram @imperfectlyperfectcampaign