The freedom of expression
The meaning of life is contained in every single expression of life. It is present in the infinity of forms and phenomena that exist in all of creation. - Michael Jackson
It is so fun when I think about this shoot because it truly opened my eyes to the realm of bodily expression and just how captivating we can pose ourselves to tell stories and evoke emotion. Parina, although I had initially just chosen her for this shoot after looking through her portfolio, came into this session and completely surprised me with her talent and willingness to break the norm of standard posing.
With her (Parina), I offered almost no direction for any of these poses. I essentially went to her and let her know that I wanted something more abstract for this shoot. I had completed 3 photoshoots prior to this one at this point and the concepts were becoming such visual landmarks for myself and I really wanted to get out of both mine and the models comfort zone with shoot number 4 and offer something I hadn’t done before.
As a photographer, there are moment when you take a photo and you get instantly overwhelmed with the straight out of camera (sooc) photograph, and what you saw above and what you will see below are images that required little to no post production and are the simple, raw and authentic version of what was happening in front of the camera.
If you know me and how I have photographed since 2014, you will know that I LOVE to incorporate nature and foliage in my images! I do this in many ways, sometimes it is having a blade of grass or branch in the foreground that becomes out of focus and offers a “vignette” effect (probably my most common version of this), or I will use it a frame for my subject as you can see above!
To be honest, I didn’t even expect to get this type of framing when I thought of this angle. I actually remember seeing Parina against the gloomy sky and wanted an angle that elongated her into it; that was the original concept. But then after getting down and seeing this version, I knew we had found exactly what we needed for this shot. And again, the posing, this was all on Parina and I really have to give her praise here because the fluidity in her movements and how effortlessly she tossed her arms, or flicked her legs, or spun in her dress, or glared through the lens; every moment was pure and every movement was sequential.
I have moments when I am going through these sessions where I sit in complete awe and amazement. To reflect on myself 14 years ago and see where I have managed to carry myself to in terms of comfort zones, conceptualizing, execution and networking. I never imagined being in a position of launching a project series, and connecting with all new faces to make this project work, or really break down the influences that have helped shape my outlook on the artistic industry. In the short form, I just truly never saw myself being here 14 years ago, and this project has created something for me that I will hold onto forever and use as a pillar in the progression of my passion.
To Parina (model), Cody and Angie (BTS), and my creative influences, thank you for creating allowing me to create the visions in my head and make them a reality.
