Self Portraiture
Brief
Commissioned to shoot a self-portrait in studio with the use of artificial lighting, makeup, props and any additional tools to communicate and evoke the subjects chosen concept within the art of self-portraiture.
Warrior Woman
I have always been a fan of self-portraiture, it provides a new and exciting way to explore your own creativity and feel limitless in how comfortable the environment you create is required to be and make your subject feel. You are the muse, the model and the art maker in this rare instance. Upon receiving this brief I challenged myself to find a story in what has shaped me into who I am today. I was determined to focus on a key feature of my life: the power of becoming. Wild, wild, woman. The tales I was told as I outgrew different stages of my life, hearing my mother recall the ferociousness and determination of a girl unwilling to give up. I learnt from a young age to be independent, to transition into a woman fully capable. Warrior mentality. If I could owe my resilience to anything it would be a warrior mentality, constantly being thrown into the unknown and facing it head on with the rigour and determination. I have always found peace in feeling connected outdoors, whether it be lost between mountain trails or submerging myself in salty waters, there has been an empowerment I owe solely to the act of being outdoors, feeling independent and empowered all at the same time. This photographic series speaks to this story, the story of a wild, wild woman with a warrior mentality. The phases and faces of becoming who I am today. This series is the beginning of a visual representation illustrating the stories my mother would spin to me about the determination and zest I have always had for life, growing up and growing into myself through the nature of being outdoors, through the act of becoming. The elements used in this shoot from the organic greens and bold necklace piece worn and styling, hair & makeup all serve a purpose in the journey of becoming more confident, independent and resilient in this journey I have cultivated over the 22 years of my life so far, despite the challenges, all the lows and pressures of life. I’m sure there will be more phases, such is life but I am more prepared to face them due to my endurance so far. I wanted to play on close-up posed portraiture. This would be difficult as it requires precise lighting and a flawless set-up to be visually sound. I took inspiration from warmer lighting setups with a focus on casting shadows in a way to empower the models features, in my case my eyes. I wanted to incorporate a natural element to emphasise the idea of the outdoors, a powerful transition in using my reality to shape me into a warrior consciousness, something which has protected me over the years.
Inspiration
I wanted to play on close-up posed portraiture. This would be difficult as it requires precise lighting and
a flawless set-up to be visually sound. I took inspiration from warmer lighting setups with a focus on
casting shadows in a way to empower the models features, in my case my eyes. I wanted to incorporate
a natural element to emphasise the idea o the outdoors, a powerful transition in using my reality to
shape me into a warrior consciousness, something which has protected me over the years
I took a lot of inspiration from one of my favourite self-portrait photographers: Sorelle Amore. She is a
fierce and unapologetic photographer who places with the element of visual power, strength and
viewer confrontation. She has been a large inspiration in my photography journey.
a flawless set-up to be visually sound. I took inspiration from warmer lighting setups with a focus on
casting shadows in a way to empower the models features, in my case my eyes. I wanted to incorporate
a natural element to emphasise the idea o the outdoors, a powerful transition in using my reality to
shape me into a warrior consciousness, something which has protected me over the years
I took a lot of inspiration from one of my favourite self-portrait photographers: Sorelle Amore. She is a
fierce and unapologetic photographer who places with the element of visual power, strength and
viewer confrontation. She has been a large inspiration in my photography journey.
Inspiration: Sorelle Amore
Model: Danté Duke
Photographer: Danté Duke
Editor: Danté Duke
