MEET THE HUMAN BEHIND

PHOTOS BY NIC KOKO

 

This page is about a 5 minute read. It dives into a bit of my story and how my experiences shape the way I interpret the world.


As a kid I had a hunch that I was good at photography, but something never felt right looking back at my pictures. I didn’t understand who I was, so trying to figure out what I wanted to say through my art felt like an impossible puzzle, and one that I didn't have all the pieces to.



I rediscovered my passion for photography through taking self portraits, many of them in my one bedroom apartment at a time when my depression was kicking my ass. I'm obsessed with shadows and lighting of course, and those factors play a key role in my art. But the photos of myself that I found myself wanting to share, are always the ones that have a story behind it.

Photography helped me unintentionally climb out of my depression. Having my photo taken with the thought of sharing it one day meant I wanted to look good, even if that was for external validation. On days when the world feels a bit too heavy, any external motivation to shower, eat some food, put on real clothes and to try and smile is helpful.


Over time being in front of the camera lens felt less daunting and I noticed my confidence grow with each portrait I took. The pictures from my darker days serve as my motivation to keep moving forward.


I learned that photography is powerful, it's a way to document our stories, even if it's just for ourselves.

Dive into a bit of my story

 

25+ years

 

 

Experience living as a woman

in our world.

 

 

8+ years

 

 

Climbing the

'corporate ladder'  in government.

 

 

200+

 

Rocks tumbled

One

 

Dead Parent

(it's okay he'd be laughing at this).

 

One Dead Parent


My first instinct is to apologize to anyone who might be caught off guard by me sharing that I have a dead parent as a way of introducing myself. But I'm tired of being the one to say sorry when I talk about my dead dad. We live in a world where bringing up death in a conversation feels like a taboo because it tends to result in discomfort and a lot of awkward silence.


Losing a parent in your 20s isn't fun, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But I'm grateful for how my experience with grief helped me become the person I am today, and how I can connect with more people because of it. I'll rarely shy away from a dark conversation so feel free to bring up your dead loved ones around me anytime.

grief will teach you one of two lessons


how to run from love

or how to run toward it


you choose which lesson you learn



WHITNEY HANSON

200+ Rocks tumbled



Long before I realized I was a photographer, I was a serious rock collector. A few years ago my mom gifted me a rock tumbler for Christmas, the same one I had as a kid and did a 6th grade science fair project on. I felt like a kid again playing with rocks, figuring out what they were and seeing how shiny they got after 4 weeks in the tumbler.


I tend to give away most of my tumbled rocks to  people in my life, but I can guarantee you that I always have at least one on me wherever I go.

8 years climbing the 'corporate ladder' in Government


Like many other millennials, I grew up in a society that encouraged me to get a good government job with a reliable income. One that would allow me to focus on building a family and settling down. So, I spent the last eight years trying to find fulfillment working in a system that isn't structured for change or progress. A broken system that claims to encourage new ideas and possibilities, but more often than not, sticks to the 'status quo' (HSM reference to my fellow 90s kids).


I jumped at every opportunity to apply for those promotions or do extra work and prove my worth to the team. I started to wonder why I was doing this, I realized that I want to make a real impact in the world and change doesn’t happen if we keep playing inside these systems we know don’t work.


I’m grateful for how much I learned throughout those eight years. Now, I'm excited to share my skills with the community and hope to make some change in the world through art and human connection. 

25+ years experience living as a woman in our world


Being raised as a woman gives me a unique perspective on the world. I mean, I don’t think many folks can say they have been a maid of honour and learned to shave a full beard in their lifetime. I’d say I interpret the world through a queer feminist lens, and I strive to use my new 'male passing privilege' to challenge the shitty things men say around me, whenever I feel safe to do so.


Thanks for being here and making it this far, I can't wait to learn your story, while I continue to write mine.