Jonna Alberta, ‘God Only Knows’, Digital Image and Print 16x20/Live Projection, 2022

God Only Knows is the highlight image from a collection of narrative photographs that discuss the struggles one has within themselves. It was extremely important to me as the creative director of this shoot to use myself as the model in order to pay respect to the images’ purpose. At one point or another in everyone’s lives they feel trapped, but the only person who is holding them hostage is themselves. Whether it be a traumatic event, mental health struggles, or simply a bad day, we all experience internal struggles that are ours to figure out on our own. No one can tell you how to feel, and no one can permanently make you feel better, it is your responsibility to pull yourself from the darkness. By covering the windows with pillows, I am able to hint that the light on the other side still exists and you can find it, it is just slightly buried for the time being. My wrists are handcuffed together and I may seem helpless but what the audience might not notice is there is a small key to the cuffs on the ground. It is possible to heal and be free from your mind's prison, but you need the energy and the drive to pick yourself up before succumbing to the gloom. God Only Knows received its title simply through the meaning of the phrase. Growing up, I would always say “God only knows” when I was dealing with something internally that my friends or family couldn’t comprehend.