Strangers from all over the world have shared their most intimate secrets with Mario Cacciottolo, 40, the first time they met him.
Now he is in Malta on the latest leg of his global tour, hoping the locals will be equally candid.
The half-Maltese BBC journalist runs a personal website called Someone Once Told Me.
It contains black and white photos of people holding up a memorable phrase that has resonated with them over the years.
Photos are accompanied by explanation of the story behind the message.
“Often after people share their story they say it is a family secret or something they have never told anyone else,” Mr Cacciottolo said.
I do believe that everyone has an interesting story to share
The idea came about when he was paid a small compliment that made him feel happy for the rest of the day.
He realised that even the seemingly innocuous compliments, insults and advice we receive daily can affect us for the remainder of our lives. Stories of heartbreak, love, joy, despair... they are often accompanied by a memorable phrase or punch line.
“The project was influenced by my love of storytelling, which comes from my Maltese heritage,” he said, as he sipped a cappuccino on a Valletta terrace.
“I don’t believe the saying that everyone has at least one novel inside them. But I do believe that everyone has an interesting story to share.”
Since he started Someone Once Told Me as a hobby in 2006, Mr Cacciottolo has taken thousands of photos and received submissions from strangers in countries he has never visited.
One of his favourite photos is of a woman holding up the words “You’re fat”.
“She explained her sister often said that to her and made her feel bad, so she decided to take ownership of the phrase.
“My project provided her with catharsis and she thanked me for making her feel better, which in turn made me feel better,” he said.
The journalist has taken a one-year sabbatical from the BBC to travel the world taking photos for his project with his American travel blogger girlfriend, Kate McCulley, 28.
They left England one month ago and have already visited Paris, Geneva, Bologna, San Marino, Augsburg and Zug in Switzerland.
Since their budget is limited, the route includes many places where they have friends to stay with.
They will temporarily part ways after Istanbul as Mr Cacciottolo visits South Africa and his girlfriend tours eastern Europe.
Reuniting in Dubai, they will head to Japan, southeast Asia and Australia before finishing in May with a North American road trip.
The intrepid couple arrived in Malta on June 28 and hope to photograph as many subjects as possible before they are due to leave on Wednesday.
For Mr Cacciottolo, visiting Malta feels like coming home.
He was born in the UK to an English mother and a Maltese father, Francis.
Until the age of 12 he was raised in Malta, attending St Albert’s school in Valletta and enjoying seemingly endless summers in his Gżira neighbourhood.
Although half-British, Mr Cacciottolo has always championed his Maltese side and initially found it difficult to adjust to English life when his family moved to Northampton.
He returns to Malta every year and in 2015 he will be back for a very special reason – his wedding.
Ms McCulley became his fiancée following a romantic proposal at Peppino’s restaurant in St Julian’s last week.
“We discussed marriage on our proper first date last September and I told Kate the wedding would have to be in Malta. Luckily, she loves Malta too.”
To pose for Someone Told Me before Mario leaves Malta on Wednesday, contact him at www.someoneoncetoldme.com or through the Someone Once Told Me Twitter and Facebook accounts. Mario is willing to travel to meet subjects at a place of their choosing.