Photographer

Marcus Holloway

Category

Fine Art Photography - Portrait

Company

M5N5D Photography

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region

United States

This series explores the theme of mental health through the quiet tension between what we show and what we carry. A smile can be reassuring and comforting, but also a convincing mask to hide our pain. The title "Take Two Smiles and Call Me in the Morning" references to America's high anti-depressant prescribed public, our mental health crisis, and the culture of numbing the pain with drugs, medication, distractions, and performance.

If not treated properly, these self medicating practices could, unfortunately, lead to self harm or harm to others. Often it's easier to smile, say we're fine, and keep it moving rather than to face ourselves. A smile disarms but the eyes don't lie. This series explores the real, the resistance, and how good (or not so good) we wear our masks as we face our world.

Credits

Photographer
Marcus Holloway
Artist
Maxwell Davis
Professional
2026
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Photographer / Company

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Category

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Country / Region

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Amateur
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Photographer / Company

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Category

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Country / Region

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