It is human nature to be curious creatures. We like to be the center of attention when given the chance. However, human beings may want the attention but are usually afraid of the camera when it’s pointed at them. More of us tend to hide or shy away from the lens rather than be in front in it. Those who get in front of the camera are brave for doing so; they are not afraid of how they will look and how they need to act.
I am the one with the camera in hand and also behind the scenes. I am curious about the world and if a subject sparks my eye I go after it. In this work, I aim to remove the cheesy/happy and depressed portraits by having my models look straight into the lens and display a natural look or a blank stare of interrest.
Aside from looking straight into the lens, the models were also asked a question that required deep thought. This got each model thinking and focused so I could capture an expression that followed their interest and thinking process. The journal, which all the models wrote in, is the cover image of this book. The journal was given to me as a gift and has remained empty for years. It is now full of self expression and contains the vivid words that are portreyed in the images.