The second person to sit for “I’m not Crying, You’re Crying” was my dear friend Ett Venter. We’ve shared a home, run a photo studio together and gotten into some other general shenanigans over the past 11 years of our friendship.

I love this dude very much. One of the most difficult things - for me personally - is to photograph friends or family. The intimacy of knowing a person - or at least thinking you know them - I think can sometimes create a bit of a wall, because there is this knowing between the two of you. If you know what I mean? I digress.
Ett graciously agreed to come sit and talk. I believe this has been the longest sitting I have had. There was a lot to listen to and a lot that he had been going through up until this point.

Words by Ett.

Life's been relentless, and I've shed many a tear over the last couple of years. It's honestly felt like it just won't stop. Just when I feel like I'm catching a breath, the next fucking bus runs me over.

Along with that - much of my identity, what I've believed about myself, my own mind and brain, my closest family members, and even the faith system I once subscribed to have either been shaken or pulled apart entirely. I'd be lying if I said I'd change how it's been, though - I'm a better man for it - but I'm ready for a time where I don't feel like I'm struggling to catch my breath.