Please welcome first-time contributor Annabella, a 22-year-old photographer based in the North West of England. Annabella has suffered from OCD and anxiety, and she uses her practice to demonstrate the emotions that go along with living with mental health challenges. When creating imagery she is highly influenced by states of mind, and the stigma attached to mental health. Annabella uses everyday materials to obscure her subject’s identity, aiming to evoke the viewers subconscious. Allowing one to deconstruct the imagery in relation to themselves.

About this photo: “Over the years I have remained private about my mental health, however when creating imagery I found myself exploring the issues I faced dealing with Anxiety and OCD. When creating this series of imagery I used materials to obscure my own identity as well as others, the materials were used to demonstrate one being trapped within themselves when dealing with their mental illness. The body of work has allowed me to engage in conversations regarding my own mental health as well as others, I aim to raise awareness continuing to explore my creativity when constructing imagery.”

Find more from Annabella on her website, Instagram @annabellaesposito, and Twitter @espo_photo.

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