Seventeen ‘01 Magazine

Shot and edited by JW

Visual communication leverages our innate human propensity for visual processing, tapping into our instinct to interpret and respond to what we see.

Whether it's a photograph evoking raw emotion, or creative text speaking and spurring imagination, visuals have an unparalleled capacity to captivate and resonate with us.

In short, seeing is believing.

1701 communicates the flowing emotions of change, the process of maturation. I had the pleasure of leaning into my photography, a medium I hadn’t embraced before this project.

What relationship do you have with your inner voice? In my case it’s always asked the questions, yet never demanding answers. I’m beginning to feel like the answers are abstract. Correct today may be the worst thought tomorrow or next year. Subjective like your rights & wrongs; subjective like identity. Nonetheless, these thoughts are you, and running from them is only delaying conflict.

This conflict is more sure than your next breath. You can bet on reaching crossroads time and time again. There’s a part of me wanting to lean into the mix, the chase and vice attached to blind thirst “success.” The other part of me sees it all as gross and unnesacerry. At 23, the world tries to beat you into submission, and without internal and external conversation, most will fall inline. Most will be “cool”.

Listen to yourself. At times the voice is a mother’s warmth, holding and gifting you grace. Other times it’s relentless and unreasonable. Both can serve a purpose. Both dig to uncover the real you.

This is especially true when you jump into an environment where “it takes what it takes.” You try and find the balance between virtue and hunger. Your hunger will do anything for a bite, until it’s poison and you’re beside yourself, and not yourself.

1701 provided me a chance to listen.