About the book
Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did (Cover)

When photographer and artist Geloy Concepcion immigrated to the United States from the Philippines, circumstances and discouragement nearly forced him to give up his passion for photography. Then he began to see people through a new lens. On a whim, he asked social media followers to tell him "things they wanted to say but never did." He paired these authentic responses with photographs—not the polished portraits, but the blurry outtakes that capture real life.

"I wish you were here to witness the person I turned out to be."

"Will I ever make it?"

"I just want to heal from the things I don't speak of."

Soon thousands of answers poured in, each one a tribute to how what makes us uniquely broken also makes us universally human. In Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did, you're invited to explore these confessions, process your own thoughts and emotions, and find renewed hope. This interactive, photographic journal includes:

  • Reflections to help you heal from losses and loneliness
  • Inspiration to embrace creative expression and achieve new goals
  • Tear-away stationery featuring photos for writing notes to loved ones and strangers
  • Lined pages to record your responses to the art, explore your own feelings, or document the words you may not be ready to share

A stunning reminder of the role of art in a time of personal and global unrest, Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did shows how when we speak of our own pain, we can find and offer healing. It also makes a thoughtful gift for when someone is going through a difficult time.

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About the author
Geloy Concepcion (artist and photographer)

Geloy Concepcion (b. 1992) finished his degree in Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design. He started joining exhibitions in 2011 and has exhibited his work in the Philippines, Cambodia, Taiwan, Singapore, India and the Netherlands. He was an artist-in-residence at Casa San Miguel in Zambales from 2012 to 2013, and was a member of Pilipinas Street Plan. His work was included in the 2016 Pride Photo Awards and the 2017 Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. His ever-changing approach to photography is intertwined with his personal journey. His current photographic works stem from experimentation in portraiture, drawing, street art, and life as a migrant Filipino in the U.S. Geloy currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family.