ABOUT

Arvyn Jan Roma is a Washington state-based photographer who discovered his passion for photography through his mother's camera. Initially drawn to capturing interesting landscapes, Arvyn transitioned to film photography after graduating high school, finding the beauty in the medium and making it his preferred method.

As his knowledge of photography expanded, Arvyn was inspired to explore the art of storytelling through visual media. This led to the creation of his latest piece, "2 Hours Ago," an intimate work that reflects on his personal battle with anxiety and depression.

While Using plastic draping to create a dreamy effect, Arvyn visually represents his inner struggle with self-doubt and conflicting ideas. The piece is also overlaid with two images to further expand on his thought process and create a sense of inner conflict.

To add depth and meaning to the piece, Arvyn used his bookshelf to tell his life's story. The top row represents his relationship with his father, the bottom row his relationship with his mother, and the outer middle rows feature his closest friends and family. The two inner shelves within the middle rows represent his childhood and current life.

After multiple reshoots, Arvyn struggled to find the layout that effectively shared his story. It wasn't until he placed the camera in his closet, behind his clothes, that he found the perspective he was looking for. This placement allowed viewers to feel as though they were in his personal space, watching his story unfold.