ALT A fact that is not known by many, photography was the reason that I changed career. I have a PhD health and spent many years working as research project manager. I had loved photography as a child, but it had had quite a hiatus. I started getting back into it maybe 2008 as a hobby while I still pursued a carer in research. In 2012, I saw an article from Dewitt Jones in a photography magazine about his daily photo project, and I thought, “I can do that to”. August 13, 2012, I began my photo a day project, the first year only on iPhone. As I dedicated some of each day to it, I found it gave me such joy, a different, focus, an escape from health challenges that I live with. I enjoyed the extra creativity that it afforded me, and wanted more of that in my worklife. I didn’t want to be a professional photographer though, and still wanted to be focus on making a difference in healthcare.

ALT I decided that my skills in using a camera would be perfect for learning the craft of filmmaking and I could focus on creating films related to health designed for real-world change. So back to school I went, getting my Masters in Film, and that was the start of Allegorical Alchemy. With my new project, "A Love Letter to Photography", I am feeling a full circle moment. The feature length documentary will explore the value of photography from a mental health perspective, sharing the personal stories of photographers, knowledge from academics, and insights from practitioners who use photography as a method for managing mental health. I seeking a little more funding and would love your support.

ALT Square photo depicting a man taking a photo by the water at sunrise. A quote by Mitchell Brown reads, "using the camera allows me to escape past the monsters in my mind". A banner at the top reads "A Love Letter to Photography"

ALT Vintage (1950s) Staffordshire winking tea cup pair

ALT A nuthatch sitting on a high up tree branch with the blue sky behind

ALT Snowy foreground, Garneau Beach Volleyball sign and hug in mid ground, high rise and trees in background

ALT Stylized shot of corridor with lots of doors, panels and windows

ALT Banksy figurine that normally holds bunch of flowers, holding pride flag. Colourful wallpaper background

ALT Sunrise of yellows, purples and pinks. Photo is taken looking down streetcar tracks. There is snow in the forks either side, trees to the left and right and a house on the left

ALT Framed artworks attached to wooden fence behind metal fence

ALT Man and dog walking away from the camera in a snowy park

ALT Tuxedo cat Lego model with a purple and blue background

ALT Agent crystalline sculpture in shades of orange viewed from underneath