Men's Voices is a new book of photographs and interviews with local men who have overcome hardship.
Image Credit: Submitted
January 04, 2018 - 6:30 PM
KELOWNA - A Kelowna photographer is releasing a book of photographs of local, high profile men who have overcome adversity in their lives.
Michelle Behr used to work in the mental health field and transitioned into photography. After two of her friends lost their brothers to suicide the same day, she decided to turn her lens on a difficult subject.
Over the last three years, she has photographed and interviewed 13 men from the Okanagan.
“Men’s Voices is a 13-part visual series with photographs and interviews with men who have survived some real hardships and come out better on the other side - how they got through it, what inspired them.”
She hopes the photos and stories will inspire other men to open up about personal issues. Key to that, she says, is to stay positive and keep trying.
“I was after resiliency,” she says. “I wasn’t looking for what was wrong with people, so much as how they overcame that. Each of the 13 interviews are totally unique and stitch together a really beautiful story of hope.”
Men’s Voices will be released at a fundraising gala at the Kelowna Forum Jan. 18 in support of Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna and Foundry Kelowna. Ticket price includes appetizers from BeetN’ Boos Catering, a drink ticket, a fashion show featuring Bia Boro Boutique and a concert by local musician Windmills.
“These are all local men, some pretty high profile guys,” she says. “I’m eternally grateful to them for putting their vulnerabilities out there. They shared some very personal stories. It got intense.”
For more information visit the Men’s Voices fundraiser Facebook page.
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