Since I began photographing, I have always insisted on being in front of the lens, becoming part of the construction of my images. Photography has become my therapy, an exclusive dialogue between myself and the camera where we push each other to a point of exhaustion, both emotionally and physically.
My body of self portrait work is an ongoing study of my relationship with the lens. It is an intimate process that I invite the viewer to partake in as I learn to free myself from any inhibitions. As I approach other subjects, I take this comfort with me and try to recreate the same intimate setting.
Rather than expose the subjects, I provide them with a space where they will feel safe enough to reveal themselves. This process from subject to intimate confidant is what drives me to keep creating.
I was born in Newton, MA and live in Brooklyn, NY now after having enriched my photographic palette through my many experiences living abroad. I learned to eat crepes in the cafes of France, get lost in the zocalos of Mexico, and dance samba in the streets of Brazil, all with camera in hand.
I relocated Sao Paulo post college for four years, and that is where I began my professional career as a photographer working for several acclaimed photographers in the process. Now I am amidst the New York hustle and am trying to live the life of a freelance photographer.
As to influences, I am constantly bombarded with photography 24/7, whether its attending a gallery opening or lecture, networking at an industry party or reading the many blogs I follow. I’d say that currently, I am most influenced by what I see and read in the photo blogosphere.
Along with my email, Google Reader is the first thing I check when I wake up in the morning and where I get all my photo news and exposure to new (and old) photographers. Currently I have been drawn towards other emerging female photographers who are bit further along in the stages of their careers as people to look up to such as Jessica Todd Halper, Cara Philips, Emily Shur, Amy Stein, and Elizabeth Flemming.
Very enjoyable read, full of great depictions and a revelation of its authors personality, amazing photographer.
I personally am quite uncomfortable as a portrait subject yet some of my favourite works have me in them. More so for the context of a human interpretation of an environment and because there was no one else available! You have embraced the completeness of such an approach and the photographs then ask completely new questions. I love the image of struggling up that dune with such determination and -what seems to me- a great deal of joy! Wonderful!
Love the second photo! So many elements of your work remind me of performance artists such as Cindy Sherman and even Yoko Ono…all in a good way! Definite. Inspirational. Beautiful work.
Very interesting work. A human element is so important to many environments, and I am certainly guilty of forgetting there is always 1 present behind the camera if nowhere else.
Out of technical interest; do you use a remote release, or is each image preceded with frantic composition before the self-timer runs out? (you can tell by the detail which method I have played with in the past 🙂
Good luck with the ongoing projects and the freelance work.
Thanks for all the comments and feedback! Craig- as to my process, at the moment I’ve been using a time lapse function on my camera. Cheers!