Often, feeling alone is understood as being without anyone around or being physically isolated. In many cases, this is true, as physical distance between people can lead to loneliness. However, a person may also be in close proximity to others without feeling any emotional connection, making that closeness feel meaningless.

In this photographic project, Jalen McCree explores the experience of loneliness and emotional distance. What happens when the people around someone are loved ones, friends, spouses, or family members, yet the same feeling remains? Experiencing loneliness in situations like these raises an important question: Are people truly alone, or are they emotionally distancing themselves?

jalenmccree.com | @jalenmccree

— 2026 Annual —