Jessica's Favourite Photo's of 2022
The images I have chosen are a mix of self-portraits and client images.
Self-portraiture is a form of self-care and exploration of identity. It allows me to look inwards and access how I feel being seen by a camera, to challenge myself to face my insecurities.
I know how intimidating it can feel to have the lens pointed at you and see all your flaws magnified in high definition. I also know the power of embracing this feeling, of seeing my rawness recorded and finding beauty in it, the confidence a great image can provide.
It is not even about the photography, it is the importance of feeling seen for who you truly are, to have your journey validated.
It can be escapist, transforming myself into characters from fantasy and elevating my everyday look into something more beautiful and magical. By seeing myself changed in this way I can begin to feel like magic is almost real, that creative possibilities exist, and I am in control of my journey.
This process is what I also want to provide for any women who comes into my studio, we work together to create images that tell her story, that give her power, that helps her love herself just that little bit more.
Zest was my safe space, The studio is full of people who are so supportive, loving and patient. 2022 was all about reconnecting with myself, growing out of a small shell I had built and find Joy in my life again.
I find I can relate to our women so much more this year, having gone through my own life defining changes. My favourite moment during the Zest experience is when a woman feels safe enough to share her vulnerability, to show raw emotion and bare their soul in the studio.
I love incorporating fantasy into my glamour shoots, I find it allows women to transform themselves, play out their fantasies and unleash the hidden power within! These can be transformative sessions for women, allowing them to transform into the powerful characters they have hidden inside them or exploring their darker emotions in a symbolic way
We ask our clients to bring along special items to their photoshoots, these objects are visual clues that help to create the story. For me there is nothing more important to me than stories.
Books have always been special to me, as a child you could always find me nose down in some book, my mind full of epic battles, romances and adventure. They helped made me realise that with the right tools you can create almost anything and transform yourself into anyone. By reading the perspective of different characters and figuratively walking in their shoes, my mind can expand and learn new ways to see the world.
It is a joy to spend studio time with someone who loves stories just as much as I do and a pleasure to bring her fantasies to life through Portrait photography. She was dressed as her favourite character Poppy from ‘Blood and Ash’ during the session we took time to sit on the studio floor chatting about our favourite characters and Authors, sharing recommendations for out next bookstore visit.
I love to drape gauzy fabrics over women during photo shoots, It transforms them into ethereal ghostly figures from some mysterious fantasy realm. It creates a sense of veiled mystery, of otherness and in between. The fabric can be used to reveal, hide, cling and tease parts of the body in intriguing ways.
Combining this sheer fabric shroud, dramatic hand gesture and red lighting this image reminds me of a graphic horror movie poster from the 60’s. a mysterious image that fills you with suspense while drawing you in, like you are under a vampire queen’s spell.
We have recently installed some new gel lights in our studio, allowing us to change the mood of images using coloured lighting. Colour plays a large part of creating emotional tone, whether its cold blues and greens or warm golden glows.
This image with its backlit glow giving her a warm halo, combined with our angel wings and crown makes her look like an angel lit from a golden sunset. Adding that pop of colour to this classically posed nude to give the image such a vibrant and artistic aesthetic.
Body painting is a fun additional to any nude photoshoot, literally turning your body into a piece of art. For this session with Alice I painted her body with Glitter, she was a cross between a shimmering mermaid and a sparkling disco ball.
I often look to artwork from the past for inspiration for photoshoots. These self portraits were inspired by the unicorn tapestries from the late Middle Ages. I tried to recreate the mille-fluer effect with the patterned background. The golden horned skull representing the unicorn.
There is something special about the combination of beautiful women, flowing golden fabric and moody Rembrandt style lighting that I find so beautiful in glamour portraits. I imagine these women are goddesses from Greek mythology, with their golden togas and crowns, they are feminine, artistic and powerful.
Wanting to explore her darker side as an esoteric shamaness, This photoshoot was all about showcasing strength, unleashing wild spirit revealing her true self. Rejecting the normal. Fantasy can give you an outlet to express parts of your inner self, it can provide safe escapism from the ordinary everyday world and add a little magic into your life. Wings and crowns can give you an unbelievable sense of power and confidence.
If you are interested in booking a Zest Photography family, couple, modern glamour, boudoir or nude portrait photography experience, call 0862453150 or email us at info@zestphotography.com.au.