Leave Behind

by Gigi Guldas

“"I am a French-Turkish photographer who has lived in many places, making the concept of home fluid and evolving. Through conversations with people on similar paths, I've noticed that many feel a profound sense of home near water. This suggests that water holds significant power in our human experience, evoking a universal connection to home and belonging.

My work uses the metaphor of water to explore these concepts, particularly through the impactful experience of heartbreak. Heartbreaks touch every human life, often in different shapes and forms. It’s deeply personal yet universally understood. So intimate that it’s often shared only with those closest to us. I believe there is profound beauty and revelation in this experience.

My submission is part of a photobook project called 'Heartbreak to Home' that combines essays and unretouched analog photography to capture the rawness and authenticity of my emotions during a period of profound introspection.

It explores the dynamic interplay between personal relationships and self-discovery, highlighting the themes of love, loss, and belonging.”