2020 Vision | Intimate Portraits of Women

This all began with my Mother.

My on going project A Celebration of Woman has become such a landmark event in my life it has changed the whole game of how I relate to Women.

Creating an intimate Portrait of a Women is the most intimidating experience I have ever had with my Camera.

Now get this, I am far from shy when it comes to communicating with Women. This project was about something deeper, confronting and liberating.

This project was about Beauty and how each Woman I spoke to felt about Beauty, the Woman they saw in the mirror, how the world perceived them and yes, how men featured in this dynamic conversation.

My conversation with each Woman was a privilege because a space got created where vulnerability was present, honesty, authentic sharing and communication took place.

“Beauty is an inside job”.

“Some people may be beautiful to look at but horrible on the inside”.

“I grew up thinking I wasn’t beautiful, the boys left me alone”.

“Whatever Beauty I have is expressed through me by God”.

I was blown away by these comments.

These were smart intelligent Women who understood something very important about their identity; looking good is part of the game but it’s not the whole game. Intelligence, Kindness, Compassion, Humility, Vulnerability, these are the fruits of the spirit as designed by God.

Galatians 5:22-23

This project consolidated a powerful belief I have; I can have a deep, meaningful and intimate conversation with ANY Woman. It doesn’t mean I want to have sex with them. This is a critical part of the conversation because it means the Women I shared time with felt safe in being open and vulnerable with me.

It reached a point where I didn’t really need to create an Intimate Portrait and yet this was the whole point.

I have been studying Faces and Portrait Photography for about three years and I noticed something; my Portrait Sessions left me feeling flat and uninspired.

I created good images and yet so what?

I discovered what the problem was.

A Camera is an INTIMIDATING big black ugly box designed to do one thing very well. They are designed to contain light for fractions of a second to record an image. I noticed how quickly people changed their whole vibe and expression when they get in front of my camera, it was like a completely different person.

I needed to learn how to create images that communicated the true essence of people.

Authentic, Honest and Real.

These images inspire me, even more so if I created them.

Being deaf means I have had to work harder at my listening skills, empathy, rapport and creating a space of trust and safety. I felt if I could achieve this, my Portraits would be truly magical.

So magical, my Ladies would be blown away by how I saw them.

Dare I say, they would fall in love with themselves.

This would be a wonderful outcome.

I have been on this journey for three years and with each Woman I have spoken to, it now feels……easy and effortless.

Creating an Intimate Portrait is the Jewel in The Crown of My Photography.

I dedicate this post to all the Women who trusted me.

Thanks for reading xx

P.S.

If you would like to read some of my case studies visit:

https://www.themagicalphotographer.com