In the Spring of 2023, Carter Peabody, a seasoned commercial video director in New York City, reached a significant turning point in his career. With over 20 years of expertise in crafting visual stories for Television, Luxury and Fashion brands, he chose to redirect his focus inward, embarking on a personal journey to explore his identity as a gay man.

This introspective quest was sparked by an immersive experience in Cuba, a nation marked by stark contrasts of beauty and hardship. As Peabody documented the resilience of the Cuban people facing scarcity, he confronted his own privilege and responsibility for their fate, triggering a profound sense of sadness against the backdrop of their survival.

While capturing the gritty reality of Cuban lives, Peabody found himself immersed in a dichotomy—balancing compassion for the people's suffering with the projection of his own desires. Through his lens, he aimed not only to portray their strength but also the sensuality and beauty intertwined with their struggles.

Beyond a visual exploration of a foreign land, "Shame & Shadow" emerged as a narrative of Peabody's personal healing journey. The photographs, acting as mirrors, became vessels through which he connected with his deepest fantasies—an integral process in reconciling the trauma of shame embedded in his identity as a gay man. In this project, the lens served not just for observation but for profound self-discovery, empathy, and the nuanced dance between shame and desire.