Michelle Casey, November 2011
Michelle Casey, November 2011
Michelle Casey, November 2011
Michelle Casey, November 2011
Michelle Casey, November 2011
Michelle Casey, November 2011
Detail of a mini book for Gillian Jansen, November 2011
This January, I was delighted to receive a series of portraits of myself taken by my friend photographer Carmin Davidson. As some of you know, I really dread having my photo taken. In the past, my sister and husband have taken hundreds of photos of me only to have me gasp: “OMG do I REALLY look like THAT?!”; “Is my skin really that blotchy?!” or “Am I REALLY that fat!!?”… the usual things we women worry about when having our photos taken. While many are blessed to look pretty decent in snapshots, I’ve always felt cursed! Believing that lighting (among other things) is the main culprit, I started hiring a professional photographer to take the photos I use for my business. Despite this, as a perpetual drama queen I still have other issues with having my portrait taken… makeup for instance.
I don’t normally wear makeup, but because I’ve been advised it’s a good idea to wear some during a shoot to define features, I also hire a makeup artist. So the next major issue I have is with the overly zealous makeup artist. You know, not too many of them understand it when you say: “Just a little makeup please!”. For this photo shoot, I implored the makeup artist…“Now, I just want a little makeup – after all, I’d like my friends to recognize me!”. She replied: “Don’t worry honey, I’ll just be accentuating your best features!” So I relaxed a little as she oo’ed and ah’ed reassuring me of the amazing transformation that was taking place on my face. Upon finishing beaming she handed me the mirror. Glancing at my reflection, I gasped inwardly while simultaneously having a mini stroke upon discovering that I was now ready for Red Carpet Night at the Oscars!!! My eye shadow was bedazzling! And, my lips… well, you can imagine! It seems silly to say this but I actually felt like a complete freak looking so, well… glamorous! At the same time, I wondered where I was under all this makeup?! Practically speechless, what could I say to this girl who’d poured her heart and soul out onto my face except: “It looks wonderful – I can’t believe it’s really ME!”. And off I went to the photo shoot…
It was an unusually warm November day (at least the weather gods loved me) and Carmin assured me that, despite my discomfort over my makeup, everything would be okay. We could adjust, soften and alter things, so no worries she said in her usual calming manner. I’d chosen a setting in a secluded park which featured a number of natural and architectural elements I liked. I was wearing a simple black dress for the occasion; my pièce de resistance: a ridiculously expensive spicy orange scarf I purchased at the Lucky Brand Jean store. Carmin walked me through a story plan she’d formulated regarding where I derived my artistic visions from. Pleased with her imaginings, I performed – appearing to daydream and search a nearby field for creative inspiration. From the photos, you’d never know Carmin and I trekked through muddy fields to accomplish this task. Lost, in her role as story teller, Carmin gently guided my movements around structures and spaces, allowing our story to unfold. She didn’t mind tramping around in the mud for me one bit! Noting she’d photographed in much dire circumstances out West – a good shot was worth braving the elements for! By the end, we were both pleased with the shoot. The next day she came round to photograph my Pieces of Me III Opening. I take great pride in sharing some of her photos with you.
You can check Carmin’s website: C Davidson Photography. It’s amazing to see how she transforms her clients: playing up their features, revealing their spirits and exposing their talents in a playful way. Going beyond the role of portrait photographer, I believe her work is special, because like the best fine artists she’s always interested in exploring new visual territory. It’s one of the reasons she attracts so many creatives to her business. It’s little wonder she was recently accepted into a prestigious visual arts program in Spain! Congratulations Carmin – I look forward to seeing your career take off in exciting new directions! Thanks for another gorgeous photo album – I’ll treasure it always.
Other Related Links:
Collage Artist Portraits by Carmin Davidson
Please Note: I’ll be away for a couple of weeks. “Talk” to you again on March 25, 2012!
Sheila Cain-Sample just wrote in: “I loved your post and the photos are just beautiful, Carmin has captured your beauty exquisitely. I especially love the fourth photo, that is how I see you…thoughtful and wondering.”
Hey Sheila, Thanks for kind comments. Yes, Carmin does a marvelous job! Best, Michelle
Hi Michelle
I know exactly what you mean about having your photo taken, but these are so gorgeous! I was delighted to see my lovely book there with you too, soaking up all of that atmosphere of that wonderful park!
love
Gillian
Hello Gillian … all the way from across the ocean! it’s so wonderful to hear from you! So, we are kindred spirits in having our photo taken — thanks for your empathy. I’m glad you liked the photos — Carmin was excited to include your mini book in the photo shoot. It’s always hard to part with a work, but her images of it are a beautiful souvenir for me. Promise I’ll get to see a lovely photo of you some time! Thanks so much for stopping by. xo Michelle
Hi Michelle, I love seeing these lovely, atmospheric photos of you. I, too, am uncomfortable with the camera on me but now that I see these, I get a fuller view of you in your world. I especially like the photo with your hands on the mini book. xo Irene
Hi Irene, Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so pleased with the photos. I haven’t shown all of them and look forward to posting more here and there. I found if you’re uncomfortable with the camera, as in collage composition, just showing fragments of body parts, like hands, the back of head, feet/shoes, can be just as telling about a person’s character. I love photos that involve artists’ hands. One of my favourite ones is of Georgia O’Keeffe’s ones taken by photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Remember all the beautiful fragments of henna hands people used in Kelly’s class?! It’s good to hear from you. xo Michelle
These are wonderful Michelle. I still haven’t found the courage to have a photo shoot of myself but I hope to one day do it.
Hi Wendy, Thanks so much for stopping by. Carmin did such a great job, doesn’t she. Wendy, you look wonderful and your work is so magical… I can see this combination making a striking series of artist portraits of you. I loved the image of your hands with some work in progress on Facebook. Plus you always blow us away with your fashionable looks in real life. I hope you find the courage to do this one day soon! Take care, Michelle