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Melissa Spitz has taken pictures of many people in her career as aphotographer.
Courtesy of Melissa Spitz
But there’s no one she enjoys photographing more than her mother, Deborah.
Melissa and Deborah have had what Melissa describes as a volatile relationship for most of her life.
And in college, she decided to start documenting it all.
Courtesy of Melissa Spitz
“The camera became a way to expose while simultaneously hiding,” Melissatold theHuffington Post.
The photos have become part of Melissa’s ongoing series,“You Have Nothing To Worry About.
Melissa regularlyupdates her Instagramwith new photos from the series.
Courtesy of Melissa Spitz
Some are standalone shots, and others are mini-series connected by a theme.
But all represent Melissas complex relationship with her mother and with bipolar disorder in general.
The work is really evolving on Instagram, Melissa tells SELF.
Courtesy of Melissa Spitz
The point in my opinion is to be honestbrutally honest, Melissa says.
One example she gives is how community support shifted throughout her mothers journey.
When Deborah was diagnosed with cancer, neighbors brought casseroles in a show of solidarity.
Courtesy of Melissa Spitz
But when she was institutionalized, that support system was nowhere to be found.
See the full project on Melissa’s site, here.
