Meet Cassio
“I was first drawn to photography for the medium’s ability to experience and relive, to take a moment in time and allow it to continually exist outside of that one second in which it was experienced. I had always been photographed, growing up, but to be the one deciding when the moment was captured was really empowering. It gave me my voice.
Photography and storytelling are like capturing a feeling or emotion and being able to give it to another individual, allowing them to experience it through their own point of view and perspective- influenced by their own life experiences. I tell stories by first listening, getting to know people, history and what makes that story unique. Once I’ve began to wrap my head around that, I cross the boundary into taking photographs or making video, to give to other people. It starts with an appreciation for understanding what the story being told is, before putting my hands on it.
Sago is very personal. It is very individual, that’s what draws me to it. It is something that we all experience, something that we don’t really talk about outside of our small circle of friends. We often feel as though we can only share these painful things with certain people, the things we’ve experienced.
To be able to experience these intimate moments, these very private moments, and being given permission to share it with other individuals who might be going through the same thing, it gives us permission to say “it’s okay to be in pain, it’s okay to be healing” and validates that discussion, that narrative. It’s a very beautiful experience.”-
- Cassio Dimande