Julianne
I walked through the university campus in downtown Toronto prior to my class, keeping an eye out for an interesting person to meet and photograph when I saw her. She appeared to have stepped outside on this beautiful fall day for a break between buildings and was listening to music through earbud headphones. I walked up to her and she responded with a smile and removed the earbuds. She listened with obvious interest to my introduction and invitation to become part of my project. “I’ll do it” she said without further ado. We shook hands. Meet Julianne.
We were in a rather unattractive location, between some buildings in a laneway with dumpsters and little that was positive – other than the light which was diffuse and good for a portrait. I suggested we take a few steps and use some painted plywood on the side of a building as a simple grey background. By closing the lid of a dumpster and positioning myself and Julianne carefully I was able to get a “clean” background and avoid the advertising messages above. It was all a bit iffy at first and Julianne was patient with the process and seemed a bit bemused by my efforts to transform the junkheap location into a studio.
Julianne was a natural smiler so I took the initial few photos of her smiling. I then suggested a few with a more neutral expression and explained my thinking – that sometimes peoples’ individuality shines through more when they move away from the traditional smiling pose. I knew I would have a hard time choosing later on. Once I was sure I had some usable images, I asked if she had a few more minutes to try a location I had noticed around the corner featuring metal grating over some store windows. She was good-natured about it and picked up her backpack and followed me to the storefront where we completed a few more portraits before settling into chat mode.
Julianne is 22 and was born and raised in Toronto. She is studying Philosophy at university and when I asked what she was going to do when she graduates, she hopes to pursue a graduate degree and mentioned both the University of Toronto and the University of Chicago as possibilities. I’ve studied at both universities and we had a nice time with me telling her a bit about Chicago.
When I asked Julianne what has been the greatest challenge she has had to deal with in life she asked “You mean really?” “Yes, really” I replied. “Mental illness” she replied. “Can you tell me more?” I asked. “Yes. Depression. Deep depression. I spend four years in that pit in high school and it is terrible.” “How are you doing now?” I asked. “So much better” she said. “I’m really doing well and enjoying life again.” I explained that I knew about depression both through my career as a therapist and through the experience of people in my life and it was wonderful to hear that she is now doing so well. “How did you get to this better place?” I asked. “Did you get therapy and/or medication?” “No, I didn’t” she said. “I just did it myself.” “How?” I asked, thinking it might be useful to others who read her story. “I just made myself reach out to others because I knew social contact would be the way forward, even though it didn’t feel like it would. I also made myself listen to music and read, both of which I knew would be healthy for me.” “And now?” I asked. “There is no comparison” she said with a smile. I told her others have likened it to having the world change from black and white to color and she agreed with the description. It was an inspiring story of one woman’s recovery from depression. While many benefit from medication and a therapy relationship, occasionally one meets someone like Julianne who manages to create her own way out although it was clear that human connections were an important part of her path to health.
In her spare time Julianne enjoys reading science fiction, a genre my brother loves but one which I have not learned how to enjoy very much. I told her I have a hard time suspending my disbelief but that it is interesting the way science fiction often paves the way for inventions and discoveries in the fields of science and technology. When I asked how her friends would describe her, Julianne said somewhat shyly “Probably that I’m smart and a good, loyal friend.” “You don’t have to feel arrogant saying that” I told her. “It’s just your friends talking, right?” We laughed. Her message to others? “Reach out, the world is a magical place. Enjoy it fully.”
"What was it like to be approached by a complete stranger to take part in his photography project?" "I was flattered" she replied. "I really like the way you described your project and everyone has a story to tell."
It was time to say goodbye and thank Julianne for her candor and for joining my Human Family project. Double-checking about permission to share her story, she smiled and said “Of course you can tell it. I wouldn’t have shared it otherwise.” I think it is through the courage and honesty of people like Julianne that issues like depression are being seen for what they are – illnesses which can ruin lives but which can also be overcome. I found the time I had spent with Julianne very enjoyable and very inspiring.
Thank you Julianne for taking the time and for your engaging with The Human Family. Stay healthy and I wish you well with your studies. If you make it to the University of Chicago, I hope you enjoy the unique community of Hyde Park where I grew up.
This is my 80th submission to the Human Family group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Julianne
I walked through the university campus in downtown Toronto prior to my class, keeping an eye out for an interesting person to meet and photograph when I saw her. She appeared to have stepped outside on this beautiful fall day for a break between buildings and was listening to music through earbud headphones. I walked up to her and she responded with a smile and removed the earbuds. She listened with obvious interest to my introduction and invitation to become part of my project. “I’ll do it” she said without further ado. We shook hands. Meet Julianne.
We were in a rather unattractive location, between some buildings in a laneway with dumpsters and little that was positive – other than the light which was diffuse and good for a portrait. I suggested we take a few steps and use some painted plywood on the side of a building as a simple grey background. By closing the lid of a dumpster and positioning myself and Julianne carefully I was able to get a “clean” background and avoid the advertising messages above. It was all a bit iffy at first and Julianne was patient with the process and seemed a bit bemused by my efforts to transform the junkheap location into a studio.
Julianne was a natural smiler so I took the initial few photos of her smiling. I then suggested a few with a more neutral expression and explained my thinking – that sometimes peoples’ individuality shines through more when they move away from the traditional smiling pose. I knew I would have a hard time choosing later on. Once I was sure I had some usable images, I asked if she had a few more minutes to try a location I had noticed around the corner featuring metal grating over some store windows. She was good-natured about it and picked up her backpack and followed me to the storefront where we completed a few more portraits before settling into chat mode.
Julianne is 22 and was born and raised in Toronto. She is studying Philosophy at university and when I asked what she was going to do when she graduates, she hopes to pursue a graduate degree and mentioned both the University of Toronto and the University of Chicago as possibilities. I’ve studied at both universities and we had a nice time with me telling her a bit about Chicago.
When I asked Julianne what has been the greatest challenge she has had to deal with in life she asked “You mean really?” “Yes, really” I replied. “Mental illness” she replied. “Can you tell me more?” I asked. “Yes. Depression. Deep depression. I spend four years in that pit in high school and it is terrible.” “How are you doing now?” I asked. “So much better” she said. “I’m really doing well and enjoying life again.” I explained that I knew about depression both through my career as a therapist and through the experience of people in my life and it was wonderful to hear that she is now doing so well. “How did you get to this better place?” I asked. “Did you get therapy and/or medication?” “No, I didn’t” she said. “I just did it myself.” “How?” I asked, thinking it might be useful to others who read her story. “I just made myself reach out to others because I knew social contact would be the way forward, even though it didn’t feel like it would. I also made myself listen to music and read, both of which I knew would be healthy for me.” “And now?” I asked. “There is no comparison” she said with a smile. I told her others have likened it to having the world change from black and white to color and she agreed with the description. It was an inspiring story of one woman’s recovery from depression. While many benefit from medication and a therapy relationship, occasionally one meets someone like Julianne who manages to create her own way out although it was clear that human connections were an important part of her path to health.
In her spare time Julianne enjoys reading science fiction, a genre my brother loves but one which I have not learned how to enjoy very much. I told her I have a hard time suspending my disbelief but that it is interesting the way science fiction often paves the way for inventions and discoveries in the fields of science and technology. When I asked how her friends would describe her, Julianne said somewhat shyly “Probably that I’m smart and a good, loyal friend.” “You don’t have to feel arrogant saying that” I told her. “It’s just your friends talking, right?” We laughed. Her message to others? “Reach out, the world is a magical place. Enjoy it fully.”
"What was it like to be approached by a complete stranger to take part in his photography project?" "I was flattered" she replied. "I really like the way you described your project and everyone has a story to tell."
It was time to say goodbye and thank Julianne for her candor and for joining my Human Family project. Double-checking about permission to share her story, she smiled and said “Of course you can tell it. I wouldn’t have shared it otherwise.” I think it is through the courage and honesty of people like Julianne that issues like depression are being seen for what they are – illnesses which can ruin lives but which can also be overcome. I found the time I had spent with Julianne very enjoyable and very inspiring.
Thank you Julianne for taking the time and for your engaging with The Human Family. Stay healthy and I wish you well with your studies. If you make it to the University of Chicago, I hope you enjoy the unique community of Hyde Park where I grew up.
This is my 80th submission to the Human Family group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.