Photography became my way to cope after losing my husband (Sgt Connor Polston) to suicide, helping me turn grief into something meaningful.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love studio portrait photography. I focus on capturing real emotion and connection, and I found a strength in bringing that out in people. Seeing someone’s reaction to their final images is the most rewarding part. After losing my husband creating those moments feels like a way to keep his spirit alive by making others smile.
Where do you find inspiration?It started as an assignment for my photography class, but I found inspiration and people in real emotion. Every face and reaction is different and I’m drawn to capturing that. My personal experiences have shaped how I see others and I use that perspective to create images that feel honest and human.
What would you do with $25,000?I would use it to create a space so those who feel unseen can be heard without words. After losing my husband, I understand how easily voices are lost to grief and mental health. Portrait photography can give that voice back, especially to veterans children, and those struggling in silence, creating something that restores dignity and reminds them they matter.
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