TAMPA, Fla. — Honoring the memory of one life in the hopes of helping and inspiring others. That's the goal of a new exhibit at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Ybor City.
"There's so many things about him, but the one thing that with him it was just always about everyone else. He just cared so much about everyone else," Jeffrey Kamis said to describe his son, Jacob.
Jacob's mom, Katherine Alano describes him as the perfect child.
"He wanted to do everything," she said. "You know whether it's photography, it's soccer, it's volleyball, it's flying planes, it's driving cars."
David Caine was Jacob's friend. "He was just this great person where I could always be myself around and wouldn't be afraid to express myself."
Jacob Kamis was just 16 years old in 2022 when he lost his battle with mental illness. Alano says they wanted to do something to honor his memory while helping other students.
"We're channeling the things he loved to do when he was with us, which is photography," Alano said.
They held a photography contest open to Tampa Bay area students. The winning photos are now on exhibit at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
Jeffrey Kamis says this was the best way to show Jacob's personality.
"I think for him and kind of everything he was going through with his illness, it was always about the fight, but also how he could help others," Kamis said. "He knew a lot of other kids were going through some things too and he always wanted to try to help them as well."
Alano agrees.
"I'm hoping to bring awareness to our society and you know to get rid of the stigma, talk about it, let somebody know," she said. "Because someone could be struggling and they're so afraid to tell somebody."
Caine had been friends with Jacob since elementary school and entered the contest.
"One, it was amazing because I had never been published as a photographer before, but also published in a museum like this that honored Jacob and his memory and what he loved to do most was just like the icing on top," he said. "I get to be published while also honoring one of my best friend's memories."
Jeffrey feels he's being led by Jacob.
"We know he's with us," he said. "He's leading us in this journey. He's telling us what to do and he's part of this."
You can see that exhibit right now at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Ybor City.
There are many of Jacob's own photos on display along with the contest winners. His parents are hoping to make this an annual event to give even more teens a chance to express themselves through photography as Jacob did.
If you are feeling suicidal or in emotional distress, call or text the suicide prevention lifeline at 988. You can also reach out through online chat by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat. Veterans can call 988 and press 1.