Beauty in Death: A Photo Essay
BY MANNIE AVILA
Artist’s Statement
My older brother Robert, got me into photography. I used photography as an escape from all my troubles. I was struggling with depression, anger management, self-harm, and substance abuse as a result of my depression. But from the very moment my brother put a camera in my hands I was amazed and intrigued. It made me go and buy my own camera. It came naturally.
For me, photography isn’t just a hobby, it gives me something to look forward to. I was once told, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Photography is my light guiding me out of the darkness. All I have to do is look through the viewfinder and everything but what’s on the other side of that lens disappears. What I look for in a shot is quite simple. I just look at something and I’ll think to myself, “Wow that looks awesome.” When I take a photo I don’t care much for opinions, yeah sure, feedback is always good but, I’m doing this for myself. Nobody else. I’m just a kid with a camera and big dreams.
Petals
Tendrils
Drop
Shadow
Tendrils
About the Artist
Mannie Avila is a freshly graduated senior from Sunset High School in Dallas, TX. He shoots what he feels and feels what he shoots.
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