REVEALED: Portraits from Beneath One’s Surface – The Film Now on Amazon Prime

In 2005, I began a personal journey I thought would last a weekend. I called it REVEALED.

I had no idea this small creative exercise—inviting individuals to explore their spirituality and self-identity by placing symbolic items in a box—would turn into an over 10-year project involving more than 200 people, a book, national art exhibitions, a public radio collaboration, and now, an award-winning short film streaming on Amazon Prime.

👉 Watch the Film on Amazon Prime

REVEALED: Portraits from Beneath One’s Surface was created in 2011 to document the heart of this journey. It follows 11 individuals as they take on the challenge of symbolically capturing their essence and spirituality in a small box—and then stepping in front of my camera for a one-of-a-kind portrait session.

“Photographer Scott Indermaur creates one-of-a-kind portraits of 11 individuals who have been given the unique challenge of symbolically capturing their essence and spirituality in a small box.”

This isn’t just about portraits. It’s about essence. It’s about the courage to show up vulnerably, to reveal your spirituality and the core of who you are.

How REVEALED Came to Life

When I first launched REVEALED, I was curious about the intersection of visual art, spirituality, and personal storytelling. I wanted to photograph something deeper than surface expressions—I wanted to get to the core of what makes us who we are.

Each session involved an interview, reflection, and an artful process of building a symbolic “box” filled with items that represented each participant’s beliefs, values, and inner journey. Then came the portraits—authentic, raw, and deeply human.

Word spread quickly. People began to reach out—not just to participate, but to thank me for creating a space where they could reflect on their identity, question long-held beliefs, and reconnect with themselves.

Some shared stories they hadn’t told anyone. Others walked away with renewed clarity or the courage to make life changes. I was often just as transformed as they were.

But the impact didn’t stop with the participants. Viewers of the project—people who never sat for a portrait—were also deeply moved. They saw themselves in the vulnerability and revelations of others. Many told me the project gave them permission to slow down, to reflect, and to ask, “What would I reveal in my own box?”

Over the years, I’ve received countless messages from people who said REVEALED helped them learn more about themselves—and for that, they were grateful.

A Decade of Impact

Over time, REVEALED evolved into much more than a photography project. It became a published book, a traveling art exhibit—including a solo show at the Newport Art Museum—and a collaboration with Rhode Island Public Radio (NPR) through the This I Believe audio series, titled This I Believe: REVEALED.

Through each format, the core remained the same: offer people the space to look inward, share outward, and feel seen.

The conversations, images, and boxes are filled with grief, joy, curiosity, doubt, strength, and above all, truth. I’m still in awe of the honesty that people brought into these sessions.

The Film: Now Streaming

The 2011 documentary film, REVEALED: Portraits from Beneath One’s Surface, was beautifully directed by Christian de Rezendes of Breaking Branches Pictures. It was created to capture not only the process, but also the emotional and spiritual layers of the project. Beth Burnett composed the original score for REVEALED, and I wrote a blog about working with her at Murming Records for corporate videos and how custom scoring can be beneficial.

The film earned several awards during its initial run and was screened in festivals and events across the world. And now, more than a decade later, it’s reaching new audiences through Amazon Prime.

This renewed visibility is humbling. It reminds me that stories like these still resonate. They’re timeless in the best way.

Take the REVEALED Journey Yourself

While I haven’t photographed a new REVEALED subject in some time, the spirit of the project continues. Many people still reach out to say how it affected them—some years after seeing it. And some have created their own version of the process privately, using it as a tool for self-discovery.

If you’ve never participated or watched the film, I encourage you to take a quiet weekend. Turn off your notifications. Reflect on your beliefs, your history, and your journey. Ask yourself:

What objects would I place in my box? What would I want to reveal?

We all carry stories inside us. REVEALED was never about being a subject in front of my lens—it was always about being willing to look inward.

👉 Watch the Film on Amazon Prime