Upon hearing the startling news that a friend – a well-educated professional, husband, and father of four – had been sentenced to thirty-six years in prison, acclaimed architectural photographer Trent Bell was deeply shaken. In the months that followed, Bell grappled not only with the ramifications of his friend’s choices, but also with personal reflections on moments in his own past that teetered on the edge of comparable misjudgments.

“There were instances when my son would gaze up, offering a warm smile,” Bell shares, “and the weight of my friend’s irreversible fate would wash over me, evoking a stark realization: There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

Known for his architectural photography in publications like Conde Nast Traveler, Design New England, and The New York Times, Bell soon envisioned a project that would take him down a completely different path. What emerged was a collection of large-scale portraits of people serving time in Maine’s prison system with heartfelt, handwritten letters, to their former selves embedded in the background. 

“Our missteps can result in immeasurable loss, profound remorse, and lingering regret,” reflects Bell. “However, the silver lining of these mistakes becomes palpable when we confront them, accept responsibility, extract lessons, and summon the courage to share our stories.”

REFLECT stands as a poignant testament to the nexus of choices, repercussions, and introspection. Take a look at trentbell.com and stop by The Gallery at Mission Chattanooga.