Andrew MarshallCanon Project

Andrew MarshallCanon Project

Andrew Marshall (Drew.M)A: 55 Littles Rd Scarborough On, M1B 5C5P: 416.837.9555E: drewm425@gmail.com

Dear Canon,

My name is Andrew Marshall and I would like to give you a brief outline and description of who I am and why I am writing to you.

I was house bound for nearly 10 years, however, at the time I wasn’t fully aware of what I was dealing with. As a result of these issues and their significant impact on my life, I unfortunate-ly stopped attending classes in 2001, when I was in my first year of college. I didn’t know the severity of my condition and how debilitating it was becoming, but I knew I needed to get help.

After feeling very down and depressed about my situation I decided it would be more proac-tive to take things into my own hands and to find out what was going on with me so I could somehow get myself on the right path on the road to recovery. Once I made that initiative to help myself, I realized that I was suffering from issues related to mental health, specifically Social Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.

Throughout this time, I would sit on my bed facing the window and would fantasize about one day being able to go outside to photograph all that I was missing, since photography was always something I wanted to do. Every now and then I did in fact manage to get out of the house through the help of my sister and a close friend. Unfortunately, as fast as I was out of the house I was right back in. I was living this way for close to a decade.

Soon after I got myself into therapy, I learned how to love myself and built up the courage and confidence I once lacked to get out of my house on my own. I bought myself a mid-range camera and through that camera I learned how to cope with my mood and anxiety disorder and started living out my dreams.

What I feel is most important about my progress is that I no longer consider returning back to the way that I was, but instead I am using what I have learned to evolve into the person I always wanted to be, even before I became housebound.

For the past 2 years, I have started taking a lot more photographs and have compiled a port-folio which has only enhanced my mood and functioning.

I am knocking down goals and am living my dream of finally breaking free and of being held back by my mental illness. It feels good knowing that I can cope and can be out in the world doing what I love to do, and that is to continue my photography, along with being a comedic motivational speaker.

I would love to take higher-grade shots and am ready to give my photographs a more polished and professional look.

I also enrolled into an improvisational course at a well-known comedy club/training centre called Second City, in which I received a scholarship. I would like to show others dealing with mental illness that they can get to their dreams and goals as well.

My current plan is to continue my schooling at Second City, in order to make the transition into working in public relations, become a comedic inspirational speaker, and to continue to be artistic through writing, music and to continue my photography aspirations.

I am submitting some of my photography work to a mood and anxiety event in Toronto called “Touched by Fire”. This event is for all those individuals, like myself, who deal with mental illness on a daily basis, and it is a place for them to showcase their work.

A higher-grade camera would greatly help me achieve my goals in photography, as I would like to continue submitting quality photographs to showcase.

Your company develops such high-quality cameras, and it has always been a dream of mine to own one.

Now that I am out of my house and have learned how to cope with my mental health issues, I feel that I need to put my talents to use.

I consider myself an advocate for positive change already and I know it can only get better from here, hopefully with your help! Enclosed I have include a letter of recommendation, as well as a portfolio of some of my photographs.

Thank you so much for your time and support, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Andrew Marshall

55 Littles RoadScarborough, ONM1B 5C5416.837.9555drewm425@gmail.com

Thank you for your time-Andrew Marshall

use your strengths, and your weaknesses.