A Bare Portrait

Our consumption of images today has been hugely effected by social media. It has dramatically changed the type of images that we see and share, particularly of ourselves. For some, it has encouraged them to always show something that represents a definition of them at their best. If imagery is an international language, those images should be honest and true.

Capturing raw and personal portraits of people without any of the common filters, hair, poses, expressions, makeup or styling which has become traditional. I discovered that capturing a bare and honest portrait would require more than simply removing those layers.

Portraiture is a complex collaboration between subject and camera. As a photographer there is always a deal to be struck. What you want to express and what the subject is willing to give away.

On a scale of happiness, 100 being the happiest you can imagine, 1 being the worst. What number best describes you in this moment?

The portraits allow an audience to witness a true expression of each answer. It takes courage to show ourselves for who we are. Even if it is only temporary. Honesty doesn’t differentiate us nor make us weak, it reminds us that there is more that we share in common than separates us.

We consume nearly all of our images today through screens of a sort. I wanted to engineer the prints so they would reflect modern communication. Creating smart lightboxes, no thicker than an ordinary frame. I wanted them to be portable and be self supporting. This way they could be viewed outside of traditional spaces.

I wanted to explore lighting a gallery space using only the work itself. To envelope an audience in only what was being transmitted from the prints themselves. It is an experience to walk into a space and witness all of these portraits communicating their stories.

 The first exhibition was Monday 15th April 2019 at The Green Rooms, London.