I’m not usually very happy with my work, but when I pulled the images up on my computer I was delighted with almost every image I captured. They are not the flashy images that grab your attention as you’re doom scrolling at a dozen finger swipes a second on Instagram, but to me, they represent a kind of honesty and trust that I’m always chasing in my work. Props to Emma who made it happen.
Whereas I normally take a few minutes to edit a photo, I took a couple of random photos from the set and spent an hour on each, reflecting deeply on the image as I edited. I felt that the rawness and honesty in these images required a more reverent treatment and a more raw filmic look.
And taking that time to edit really gave me time to reflect. I really didn’t know what to say about these images as I was editing them. I just saw an unfiltered presence that grabbed me and made me kind of speechless.
There’s no question that Emma is beautiful. But it’s a beauty that holds something back. It’s that sense that there’s more to discover beyond the superficial. There are layers and the real story or emotion is layered in a way that’s not immediately obvious. It’s a kind of beauty that’s not just about what you see but about what you feel and what’s implied. I look at the photos of Emma and feel something shift. They move me. I don’t really know why. I just feel something in them that words can’t quite hold.
Since this shoot I’ve been really reflecting on my motivations in making art, my photographic journey, and what it all means. I’ll share my thoughts in future blog posts, but for the time being I’ll just show you some shots from this set. More images and more blah, blah, blah to follow.
Emma blew me away with her incredible range and inventive posing. She really gave herself into the process. The images are bold, kitcshy, and fun, but also have a strong emotional undertone. I was shooting fast and moving quickly. It’s obvious that some are edited and some are messy and straight out of the camera. Thanks to the Prop Vault for the custom made dress.
This set kept evolving. Emma tied the fabric into a giant bow and I threw in some bloomers and flowers.
We continued with three additional looks for the session, each completely different. Maybe I’ll find the time to post them at some point in the future.
