Photographer sparks vital mental health talks through Instagram street interviews

A talented photographer from Whitefield is using his growing Instagram presence to spark important conversations about mental health and sobriety in the city.

Scott James, 31, has built a strong following on his Instagram account, @projectcerti, where he conducts candid street interviews with locals.

His relaxed, engaging style has earned him nearly 9,000 followers, as he encourages passersby to reflect on self-acceptance by sharing something they love about themselves—inside and out.

Something some of us find quite difficult to do.

Scott James’s street portraits

Each interaction is captured with a portrait, blending photography with thoughtful conversations about our lives and taking care of our mental health.

Scott’s work has taken on new significance this month as he partners with Portraits of Recovery, a Manchester-based arts organisation, to document conversations about “sober curiosity” as part of Greater Manchester’s Recoverist Month.

Sober curiosity Manchester

This unique, arts-based awareness event, now in its second year, focuses on substance use recovery and features performances, exhibitions, and discussions across the region.

In his new video series, Scott speaks with people across Manchester, Tameside, Trafford, Bury, and Stockport about their experiences with sober curiosity, a movement that encourages people to reassess the impact of alcohol on their mental health and well-being.

His first video, filmed in the Northern Quarter, highlights the personal stories of two men in their 30s who are rethinking their relationship with alcohol following a family tragedy.

Promoting mental health awareness

Scott’s passion for promoting mental health awareness stems from his own experiences.

Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, he has faced mental health challenges throughout his life. In his 20s, Scott was dismissed from a job because his depression was allegedly affecting his colleagues.

While the experience was difficult, it led him to pursue photography full-time, a path that has brought him greater happiness and fulfilment.

“When I was younger, I used substances as a way to escape, but it only made my mental health worse,” Scott said.

“Now, I’ve barely had a drink in the last year and being sober curious feels really positive. I hope this project encourages more people to talk about their relationship with alcohol.”

Mark Prest, the founder of Portraits of Recovery, praised Scott’s unique ability to connect with people through his videos.

“Scott’s work captures both the beauty and vulnerability of his subjects. He creates a safe space for people to share their stories, and that’s exactly what Recoverist Month is all about.”

Recoverist Month, which runs throughout September, showcases a range of creative events across Greater Manchester, including exhibitions at venues like HOME and Manchester Art Gallery.

Scott’s videos will be featured on Portraits of Recovery’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, adding a digital dimension to the month-long celebration of recovery and activism.

You can view Scott’s videos throughout September on Portraits of Recovery’s Facebook and Instagram