I started the documentary portrait project Who We Are with the belief that photography can and should shine a light on parts of our community that are so often ignored. Over the course of seven weeks at The Compass Food Bank & Outreach Centre, I made 64 black-and-white portraits of clients, volunteers, and staff. I came without agenda, only with a backdrop, a camera, some lighting and a hope: to give people who often feel invisible a moment to feel seen, dignified and valued.

The result isn’t about statistics or need. It’s about faces, stories and humanity. Through “Who We Are,” I wanted to show that the people who come to The Compass are not just clients, they are neighbours, individuals with histories, hopes and worth. My hope is that viewers see in each portrait a person to be treated with respect and empathy, not a problem to be solved.