Echoes of the self
March 2024
StepStones youth discovered the power of photography as a tool for self-expression.
Through hands-on guidance and creative exploration, they learned to create compelling portraits that communicated their personal narratives.
Echoes of the Self offered a space for self-discovery, helping youth reflect on their identities and perspectives while developing their visual storytelling skills.
ES MCAFEE
Through My Battle
The Pods Lift Away, 2024
Through my battle the pods lift away
We all have pods……
Pods which contain our branches
Branches that represents my intersectionalities that then weave into their own paths
Paths within a pod ….
Each pod is a curated space
A space of experiences …. Both good and bad
The pods float away when they’re ready, in all ways both physical and spiritual
As a float away, they take away the pain …..
The past …
The struggle and the strife
The mess that has made up my life *sigh*
As they float away, I say “ how beautiful is it to learn the art of letting go….. slowly learning the ways of surrendering even when the outcome is unknown”.
Float away, I say my battle is done.
KARDELL MCAFEE
Untitled, 2024
Time passed & futures present
Who has the foundation of youth and beauty?
With what wet water vision can we see, each Willows Peaks marred fingernails into the vision of future cells of our future selves
With what of each hallowed tree has the sap of truth
Which one of the bereaved lay with themselves awake asleep?
Who does one become? Is it sure? are you true
BOBBI / STEPHANY HOSTLER
Gently Burning, 2024
Grief.
At the age of seven years old, I experienced the second greatest loss in my life; a house fire. Fortunately, my family and a visiting friend all got out safely.
However, as I stood with my family and onlooking gathered neighbours, I realized my life would never be the same.
People were kind to my mother and her 6 children, by giving what they could to help us find our feet again after losing everything.
From the house fire, I learnt that I never wanted others to suffer or experience the level of grief, loss, insecurity and other related pains as my mother had, as my siblings had, as I had.
Despite being an individual living in poverty and struggling to get by each month, I still give what I can to support others who are also in need, whenever I can. Everyone is struggling in a way, yet a minuscule act of kindness truly impacts a person’s day, creating a positive ripple effect in someone else’s life.
Grief. Loss. Pains.
You can either let your hardships turn your soul ice cold and keep you down in life or you can embrace your struggles and use them to support and inspire yourself and others around you encountering crisis.
By embracing external challenges, you can show others how to become resilient and stronger through overcoming loss.
The bad situations that happen to you do not define you.
Never let grief dim your flame.
You are powerful.
LEAH TAYLOR
Butterfly, 2024
Everyone Wants Happiness
No One Wants Pain
No One Talks About These Parts
Where You Don't Quite Know You Are
Or Where You're Going, How You Even Got This Far
The Part Where You Are Not A Caterpillar Any More, But Not Yet A Butterfly
But You're Wanting To Let Go And Find Your Hidden Wings Again
Trauma Is Hard And Healing Feels Like Forever But In The End You'll See It Was Not So WhatSoEver
From Bringing Back Memories To Making New Ones, You Have To Be The Strongest Achiever
But At The End Of It All, You Want To Be Back To A Human Being, You See
Mentally Checked Out And But Willing To Let Go With The Wave Sounds That Crashes Against The Golden Smooth Sand That Are My Therapy
In The Beach I’m Absolutely Free
Going Home After 5 years Will Be Triggering But So Worth It, A Trauma Of How My Son All Started But A Must Go To In Order To Be Back To Myself And I Just Can't Wait To Take My Baby With Me
To My Homeland, I Say, I Can't Wait To Be
A Very New Experience Indeed
SHAVESHA STEELE
Survival Mode, 2024
Some may see me as weak, a victim of circumstance
But I know deep down, I have the power to enhance.
For in my vulnerability, in my willingness to feel,
I find a sense of purpose, a strength that is real
So I embrace my journey, with all its twists and turns,
Knowing that through my struggles, a lesson I will learn.
Destined or determined, it matters not in the end.
For I am on a path of growth, a journey to mend.
And though the weight of loneliness may still linger,
I know that I am not alone, for my heart will soon be lighter.
For in vulnerability, in opening up my soul,
I find the courage to heal, to once again be whole.
And amidst the darkness, a flicker of light,
Guiding me through the shadows, shining ever bright.
A beacon of hope, a spark of faith,
Reminding me that I am strong, no matter what life may lay.
So I continue on, with my head held high,
Embracing my vulnerability, not afraid to cry.
For in the depths of my being, I find a strength untold,
And through the flicker of light, my true power will unfold.