This Is My Story, What Is Yours?
Photography saved my life. There was a time in my life when I was extremely lonely. Anxiety would numb my body and break ties between my mind and vocal cords. An endless loop brought me down a dark path, and I fell deep into depression. I lived out every alternative in my head, worried about what could be. I lost precious time and I lost myself... That is when I found photography. Always searching for the answer in others, I realized it was within me the entire time. The One Project began as a journal of creative expression, a visual notebook of my thoughts and feelings hidden out of view. Photography gave me a voice and I found a way to talk about this dark time in my life. By taking photos of the people in my life and combining our stories, I was able to shine light on the darkness and provoke thoughts in myself and others. The thoughts turned to words and a conversation began.
We are becoming more interconnected as the Internet develops and technology progresses, yet the space between us seems to grow as a result of impersonal connections. People appear to stress more over losing phones than friends. I believe this is what is holding many of us back from achieving true happiness and realizing our dreams, it is what held me back.
We hold on to these thoughts, emotions, and experiences and bury them deep inside, suppressing them, and numbing ourselves with drugs, alcohol, and media. We can no longer be left with our thoughts as they scream out to us to be expressed—we lose ourselves—but there is a light that shines within us all. Find that light inside of you, let it shine, and share it with others. Most people are willing to open up and reveal the fact that they deal with the same struggles, you just need to be the one to take the first step.
“The one change you can make is yourself, and your actions. Take time to examine who you are and how you can improve; improving yourself will result in an improved life. You have the power to define who you are,” Who Are You: The One Project.
The mission of The One Project is to inspire people out of depression and into their dreams. By telling stories of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles, and allowing people to connect through their own experiences, this Project can evoke change. The One Project changed my life, and it can change yours as well.
The One Project is not only a visual representation of personal struggles with mental health, but also a conversation and call to action to inspire change.
Join the conversation; apply to have your story told! We can inspire through our interaction.
“‘Back To One’ was a huge eye opener for me because I lived that moment! The photo captured everything, all the emotion in a single shot! It wasn’t the best feeling, but The One Project made me realize that I am a stronger person because of that moment and I’m enjoying every moment of life that’s handed to me.”
The Stories +
The Short Film (see below)
One + Quote
"Photography saved my life..."
The One Project and the world of Therapeutic Photography
“Bryce states, “Photography saved my life,” and I believe that both his own individual process — and the resulting interactive website for The One Project he designed so that others can now do the same for themselves also — are excellent examples of the power of Therapeutic Photography to help people explore their own situations photographically and find hope as a result.
”Photography can be a very powerful means of confronting problems and providing a way to overcome and survive them. Bryce Evans has started a vital conversation, using photography as his language for activating that dialogue.”
The Latest Story...
Click on the photo to view the rest of the stories.
The Short Film: one
one is an insight into one teen's loneliness during the periods of high school and post-secondary education; a time where he finds himself, and the key to breaking out of the lonely mindset. It helps to solidify the ideas from the stories, put them into the perspective of his life and how photography and The One Project saved it. An inspiring story of how to overcome loneliness to find your passion and follow your dreams.
The Community
Join the community! Click here to find out what's going on where for The One Project and how to get involved! Follow and connect with The One Project on your favourite social media networks!
Check out this amazing contribution to The One Project by Edmonton Artist Nicholas D. Yee combining his gorgeous landscape photography with one of the Project quotes. Thank you Nicholas!
Featured Photo Submission
The photo submission featured for the month of April is a collaboration by @gijanice (edit) and @missyjena (photo) on Instagram—check out their feeds!
Click here to learn how to submit and have your photography featured.
"You Are Not Alone!"
The One Project Workshops
I am currently establishing a workshop in the Downtown Eastside community of Vancouver to educate individuals on the power of photography and personal storytelling—how to create your own One Project.
I will be teaching the power of photography, creative expression, and personal storytelling. This will include a photographic workshop, talk, creation of new stories for The One Project, community building assignments, and art shows to showcase the featured work from participants.
The Barriers + How To Help
The biggest barriers holding this program back are: connections, partnerships, and funding.
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more, know someone I should connect with, would like to donate your time and services, or know of relevant grants or bursaries in the Vancouver area.
I am in the process of building a team for The One Project, please contact me if you're interested or know someone who would be.
If you want to help—but aren't sure how—you can simply talk to people about it and spread the word, that is how amazing things happen!
The Newsletter
Read the May 2013 Edition: Photography Saved My Life here.
Sign up to receive The One Project newsletter for major updates on the Project!
Join The Conversation; Apply to Have Your Story Told!
Support The One Project
Support
The One Project has reached this point through the donated time, money, hard work, and dedication of countless individuals, including myself.
Currently, I am unable to fulfill the plans and opportunities for the Project due to lack of resources. At this time, your financial support will help to fund creating more stories and content, maintaining and upgrading this website, and establishing the workshops to increase well-being and reduce social exclusion within the community.
The progress of The One Project is only held back by the restrictions we place on it, so any and all help is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in collaborating artistically, donating your time and/or services, commercially sponsoring, funding, or partnering with The One Project please contact me at bryce(at)bryceevans.ca.
Even $5—a cup of coffee for the day—will make a big difference. If you cannot afford to donate—or are unsure how to help—the most powerful thing you can do is share the stories on social media and talk to people about The One Project. We will change our world!
Community Events
A short film premiere and fundraiser was held at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer, AB on June 21, 2012 in support of Kids Help Phone.
The next event and fundraiser is The One Project: Exposing & Erasing Bullying and is being planned for November 2013 in Vancouver, BC.
Click here to learn more about the premiere and upcoming community events.
If You Need To Talk...
If you need to speak to someone about your struggle, PLEASE use the resources available to you:
CANADA / INTERNATIONAL
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
International Association for Suicide Prevention
US
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
S.A.F.E. Alternatives for Stopping Self Abuse 1-800-366-8288 (DONT-CUT)
Feel free to reach out to me anytime at bryce(at)bryceevans.ca to talk, but I am by no means a qualified counsellor and I'm not available 24/7.
IT GETS BETTER +
