When I was a student at the University of California in San Diego, I spent a lot of time studying human individuality and how much that is molded by institutions and various sources that exist outside of the self. I was, and continue to be, particularly interested in the media’s role in how we construct our sense of self. Patterns in the media normalize various traits that turn into expectations. It becomes troubling when these expectations are based off of unreal distortions. I think about the different ideals that I’m perpetuating with each image I create and can only hope to convey a beauty that feels real and that anyone can connect to. Sometimes a photographer is creating a character and must eliminate or modify certain things to attain that but where does one draw the line?
I’ve begun a new series entitled My Skin, My Body where I photograph women in nature. Each subject’s skin and body remains unretouched and real. We spend hours together with no plan in mind. I am lucky enough to bear witness to each subject’s vulnerabilities as I seek to capture it with grace and honesty. My hope is that as the viewer, you can feel the intense amount of natural beauty that radiates from each person.
View the series here.
