Please say hello to first-time contributor Ian Arneson, a 29-year-old photographer and digital artist based in Sterling, Virginia. Ian suffers from severe depression and anxiety, and has for more than ten years now. Embracing the art of photography took him to a whole new place, a new state of mind. It became more than just a hobby or something to kill time. It became his outlet, his savior, something to keep living for. Telling stories through photographs fulfills a void within Ian that was lost long ago because of depression. His photos aren’t always autobiographical, but do represent places he’s seen and been, both good and bad, reality and in dreams.
About this photo: “The inspiration behind this photo came from a point in my life where I literally felt as if I hit rock bottom. I felt unwanted, unnoticed, and invisible to everyone I cared for around me. Similar to what you see in the photo, I felt myself wither and fade away into vast nothingness.”
Find more from Ian on his website.
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**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here. Currently accepting submissions.
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Broken Light Collective 
Your photo is very powerful. I like it very much.
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Welcome Ian..nice visual illustration……en theos…j
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Stunning 🙂
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Excellent imagery.
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this is a great image ian.
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If this guy had long blonde hair I’d swear he was me.
You can even feel the Depression and Anxiety.
Beautiful, brilliant image.
Very well done Ian.
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It is not only disintegration I see here but reintegration too. We are made, unmade, made again. A wonderful and moving image. Thank you for sharing it. Best wishes.
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Reblogged this on Make Something Mondays! and commented:
What a great artist! When you check out the website, look at his Twisted Princess Series. It’s very intriguing.
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An image with a strong narrative and well-executed.
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Thank you all so much
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Stunning image, really beautiful, emotive and thought provoking. 2 Thumbs up.
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Very creative photo and I can relate to the pain you felt – there was a time in my life I considered myself to be the invisible girl. Things are better for me today – I hope they are for you also.
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wow. this is very deep
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Love this Ian!
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Beautiful image …
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It’s a beautifully composed image, Ian. Somehow, to me it doesn’t have a very negative feeling – there could be many interpretations, like the body dissolving into the skies, a spiritual thing.
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Welcome Ian, you are in good company. I suffer with clinical depression and blog openly about it. I am currently writing a book on this subject. Love the fantasy work and the feeling of withering away, fading almost, has been there on and off myself. Good luck with your work it really is beautiful and be well. x
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Wow, Ian, what a powerful photo. Such talent.
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This photo evokes a few things: The feeling that one is slowly dying. Then there is the re-making process that God allows in order to grow and mature. I definitely see loneliness, but I see the light breaking through the billowing clouds that is God with us, never leaving or forsaking us, but waiting patiently for us to cry out to Him. I can clearly see that God has gifted you with this talent: to capture what your mind’s eye sees, enhance it with digital software and combining them to speak your vision to others as a force for good.
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Reblogged this on mytolovelife and commented:
great pic
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This photo captures the essence of depression and angst. Thank you for sharing it with the world.
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Reblogged this on nealstotts.
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this is amazing. as someone who has suffered her bout with depression and anxiety as well, it’s nice to know that we aren’t alone. the entire reason i got into art in the first place was because it was an outlet, and a comfort.
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Reblogged this on houseofzippers and commented:
this is a blog featuring photographers living with mental illness. i think it’s an absolutely wonderful thing.
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