The project emerged from the simple observation of people and their dogs. During the photographic process, it became clear that more than portraits were being created; stories of relationships, trust, and community were taking shape. Dogs became a bridge between people who might otherwise never have met. Through conversations, walks, and shared moments, a network of connections began to form—one that extends far beyond photography itself. The photographs explore different ways of being present in the world. At times we are distant from others and from our surroundings; at other times an encounter with another being awakens us. Sometimes we simply accept that we are part of something larger than ourselves. At the heart of the project are not only people or animals, but the space between them—the gaze, proximity, trust, and care that connect them. ASLEEP / WOKE / AWAKE is therefore more than a photographic series. It is a reflection on coexistence, empathy, and the ways in which the simp