INSPADES MAGAZINE UNO | Page 130

it is also of the negative stigma that surrounds the subject of depression itself, that he finds, well...depressing. Depression, although affecting millions of people around the world, is an incredibly lonely illness, and Cruz believes that it is in the sharing of the experience of it that allows people to feel connected, accepted and cared for. This is in part why Cruz has so m uch love to share with his community. This is what a fellow photographer, Ruth Efrati Epstein (@80degrees), had this to say about Cruz: “To know Nei and his mobile photography is to love Nei. Nei shares not just his photography and love of beauty but he shares himself. With each photo he shares, he will also share a personal story about that place or that moment or that person. He loves to dedicate shots to his favorite mobile photographers, telling us tidbits about them, telling us why he loves them. He invites us all as a community to bestow upon them some InstaSugar™ (Nei’s trademark). Yet there is no one who can give InstaSugar™ quite like Nei...Nei is a passionate supporter of so many photographers and he never fails to add a kind, empathetic or supportive word.” Precisely charming, elaborately elegant and stunningly simple, Cruz’s imagery carries a rare dreamy refinement that is ecstasy to the eye. A humble, grateful soul with a heartfelt love of his community, we know to expect great things from Nei Cruz, and for all of his vast experience, we know that everyday is a new beginning, and we wait, baited, to see what he will share with us next. 130 inspadesmag.com