#OneHalfOfAConversation
Photo taken on Kodak Portra 200 35 mm Film, Gliderport, La Jolla, CA.
Submitted 10/24/2022 17:03:00, Published 7/18/2023 14:30:00. #OneHalfOfAConversation.
The beauty lies in the unknown, yet universal story. “To my younger self, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I let our dreams slip away.” So many of us leave behind past versions of ourselves for practicality, for appeasement, for “moving on.” A story as old as time is alive in all of us and this person.
Photo taken on Kodak Portra 200 35 mm Film, Gliderport, La Jolla, CA.
Submitted 10/16/2022 14:00:52, Published 7/1/2023 16:27:00. #OneHalfOfAConversation.
The beauty lies in the unknown, yet universal story. “I need to love myself again to truly show love to others. I just didn’t know life would be this tough.” Self growth is rarely comfortable, and life is rarely charitable or forgiving.
Photo taken on Kodak Gold 200 35 mm Film, Upper East Side, New York City, NY.
Submitted 8/24/2023 17:09:05, Published 3/4/2024 14:30:00. #OneHalfOfAConversation.
The beauty lies in the unknown, yet universal story. “I wish I could escape you. I wonder if you know.” Trapped in love, emotion, and one’s own world. Unable to ask for help or tell the one you love the most.
Photo taken on Kodak Portra 200 35 mm Film, Central Park, New York City, NY.
Submitted 10/11/2022 15:41:56, Published 7/24/2023 15:30:00. #OneHalfOfAConversation.
The beauty lies in the unknown, yet universal story. “I miss you mom. We’re both too young for you to be dead.” Loss feels unbearable. Loss of a parent feels impossible.
I embarked on a small heartfelt project at the start of 2022 aiming to provide a safe haven for people to openly express their thoughts and emotions anonymously. People say “I’m always here for you” but sometimes they don’t mean it. Not because they are mean but because it can be impossible with their own lives, their own schedules, their own problems. Well, I wanted to mean it when I said it despite all of that.
Through a submission form, anyone can share what they might be going through, whether it's their struggles, desires, regrets, confessions of love, or anything else. And if given permission, I write those words on my photographs, making one art piece and sharing them with others who might be feeling a similar way. This ongoing initiative, titled One Half Of A Conversation, is my personal testament to the power of connection and support in our lives. It's a place where individuals can find reassurance that they are not alone in their experiences and that there's someone out there ready to listen and be there for them, no matter what. I just want to be there for anyone when they need it. Because sometimes people don’t need a therapist or a best friend or a journal, sometimes all they need is #OneHalfOfAConversation. You can see the full series so far @picturejared on Instagram.
Jared Doan is a fourth-year medical student at ISMMS from San Diego, CA. He loves rock climbing, movies, and, of course, photography. He started One Half of a Conversation in January 2022 on his instagram page (@picturejared) in hopes of being there for people when the need it the most. He thanks everyone who has submitted to his project.