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Metamorphosis



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March 2, last week marked the passing away of my beloved aunt, who lost her brave battle to cancer. I am so thankful that I get to know such an amazing person. ...
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March 2, last week marked the passing away of my beloved aunt, who lost her brave battle to cancer. I am so thankful that I get to know such an amazing person. Growing up I remember her being in every single school activities and happenings, with a camera in her hands, trying to document every single event that my brother and I were in, so she could have them developed. She would always make two copies, so she could put everything in a family album and send the extra copies to my Mom, who was working overseas. Losing her was painful.

A year after her passing, my boyfriend gave me my first camera as a birthday present, and told me that I needed an outlet. I was hooked right away! I would take long walks after school and take photos of basically anything I see haha. I would take photos of landscapes, flowers, and would often bug my parent’s cat to model for me hehe. It was like seeing the world from a different perspective. Who would have known that taking photos of grasses blowing in the wind would be so comforting and relaxing?

A couple of years after, I moved on to taking portraits. I made a goal. I would try to be as good as I can in a short amount of time, and took a 6 months break from school last year. I mustered the courage to talk to designers and collaborate with makeup artists and models. Then I did my fist published editorial as a tribute to the person who made a profound impact on my life. This “Metamorphosis” editorial portrays my transition from being this sad and depressed individual to the person I am today. It’s a depiction of myself being at peace and finally accepting what happened.
She will always be a part of my life. Without her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I am forever grateful for the love and care that she has given to me. Always missed but never forgotten. heart-humørikon

Model: Emma Jane Johansson
Designer: One of One by Maibritt Kokholm
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Views

1259

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Classic Beauty Photo Contest
Peer Award
billmartin_2615 Tudorof davidjprosser ileanaandreagmezgavinoser NancyFlemingPhotography JuanGiraldo 2001vermont +75
Absolute Masterpiece
davewx Soeno CrisPatrick Balogh_Gabor WilliamJordan84 erichruczkowski lawrencehookham +15
Superb Composition
xxPhotography by Marcusxx Antoniobarrios Lauran davidmakinster joesingleton Loekie leonmcjunkins +13
Top Choice
patrickwhalen_0122 geoffreynash marialuisadicostanzo Litestone hannawagendorp agendean vbsrconway1155521 +7
Outstanding Creativity
Miro4582 Farhanaj deenieoc Bensphotographykiwi andrewshattellsnr markreyes
Magnificent Capture
LeslieMCrawley alexkur Mntnapoet steveyancey
Superior Skill
Davidastello timmedora ataylor1379
All Star
mabbimages shaundasmithroberts
Genius
Albert-Serra-Photography

Emotions

Impressed
Antoniobarrios

Top Ranks

Classic Beauty Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Classic Beauty Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Classic Beauty Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1

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2 Comments |
Joanna101
 
Joanna101 June 14, 2016
Beautiful portrait - and beautiful story. Congratulations.
gracealmera
gracealmera December 28, 2016
Thank you Joanna :)
DebbieKMiller81 Platinum
 
DebbieKMiller81 January 03, 2017
Beautiful picture. Sorry for your loss. In time God heals our broken hearts. First year is always hard going through the first holidays without our loved ones.
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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in my living room. As a student I do not have a lot of place to set my studio lights to take my photos. That is why I move my furnitures around to be able to make place for my strobes.

Time

It was taken at night. Inside my living room.

Lighting

I wanted this image to have a classic painterly look. So, I set two different lights, a beauty dish and another light with a diffuser to light the background. Then I placed a small reflector in front of the model in order to avoid harsh shadows under her chin and face.

Equipment

I used my Canon 5D Mark II. Handheld

Inspiration

"Metamorphosis" is a part of a series that I made as a tribute to my beloved aunt who was diagnosed and lost her brave battle to cancer. She was only 35 years old. We were very close. She was like a second mom, a sister and my best friend - all in one. I could tell her everything and she would always brighten my mood whenever I was struggling with something. I was so depressed and felt lonely when she left us. I lost confidence in myself. The “Metamorphosis” photoshoot is my transition from being this sad and depressed individual to the person I am today. It’s a depiction of myself being at peace and finally accepting what happened. It’s me being a stronger person and trying to achieve my goals and dreams. There is a poem by E.E. Cummings that comes to mind whenever I think of her: “I carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)” I know she is in a better place now. She may have left us, but the memories I have with her, and all of the things that I’ve learned from her, will remain with me forever. We may not have travelled the world as we had planned, but wherever I go and whatever I do, I carry her in my heart.

Editing

Yes, I took this photo on a white background and intended to edit a muslin background afterwards as I wanted to achieve a classic painting style.

In my camera bag

I don't like to bring a lot of things with me when I go out shooting so I usually just put my camera, extra batteries and a reflector in my bag.

Feedback

As mentioned earlier the way I lit this image was very simple. I just made sure that there are no harsh shadows on the model. I wanted it to have a clean and classic look. So two lights, one close to the background and a beautydish as the main light.

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