Notice me. I am here. I exist. In this moment, I am real. Efforts to stave off loneliness when one is in fact alone, selfies represent desires to share and connect. They are both document of and testament to hope. Absent from selfies is the community, both real and imagined, that the photographer reaches out to. “Imaginary Friends & Family: Portraits” includes this community in the frame as a move to say not just Notice me. I exist. but, more importantly, to claim I am here with you. In this moment, we are real together.
![Happy Birthday Dear [Ashley] Happy Birthday to You](https://ashleydaviddotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_1395.jpg)
Happy Birthday to You
Please Do Not Feed the Animals from Your Mouth.
This photo-text series was hatched in a spirit of play on my walk home late one Warsaw night in November 2013, and I continued to add to it as I encountered imaginary community in the shop windows and on the billboards and kiosks I pass in my everyday travels…until it became too warm to wear a hat.
The series was featured on January 13, 2014 in Hyperallergic’s “I, Selfie” series by Alicia Eler: “Watching the Selfie Olympics.”
Ashley David 
Beautiful pictures and conceptualization!!!
abrazos, luis
Many thanks, Luis, for letting me know that you like them. It’s so great to hear!!! Que te vaya bien! Ashley
Playful, serene, and relevant. “Be Happy” is my favorite. I am looking forward to more from this series! Congrats on the publication :-). Many hugs your way~
Many thanks, Elizabeth! So good to read your feedback, and I’m very happy you enjoyed the series! oxox
I love the poses, and your titles are very clever and inspire thought. I hope it’s warming up a little bit in Warsaw now that we are on the other side of the winter solstice.
Many thanks, Barbara! Great to hear from you. I’m happy that you appreciate the series. Yes, the sun is headed back our way in Warsaw…a welcome return! Best wishes!