We free ourselves from within
A portfolio project that continues to resonate.
This month’s photo essay was created in Austin, TX in 2014 on the traditional homelands of the Tonkawa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche peoples.
In this image a woman of color, with long loc’d hair, gold accessories, and a turquoise dress, looks on right into the camera lens. The angle of this image was made from below, giving the appearance that the woman is taller than the person who made the picture. This framing suggests a regal dignity, which illuminates Dysha’s powerful presence.
This image, which was made eight years ago, evokes a powerful memory of time and place. Dysha and I first met in 2014 in Austin, TX while I was in graduate school studying Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. I had the great privilege to be the photographer for her first modeling portfolio. Under the heavy heat of the August sun we trekked around the city to create, and along the way an instant connection blossomed. This project has an evergreen quality to it, where so many of the images we made together continue to serve as lessons and gentle reminders. As the photographer, it was my first collaboration, and I’m still so thankful to Dysha for her trust, and allowing me to give support in this way.
Two years ago, at the height of the pandemic, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dysha for Cordella Magazine. In revisiting this image, as well as others from our photo session, I was reminded of our time together. There was, and is, a dynamic intimacy to our friendship that continues to surprise and delight me. Next Thursday, I will be sharing the audio version of our conversation, which centers themes of anger, healing, and freedom.
One additional photo
Last month — The dream is in the body
This image reminds me of freedom. At the time this photo was made my cousin was just graduating high school. The feeling this day was one of rejoicing. He had crossed a major milestone, and was approaching a new phase in life. There was a buoyancy to his spirit, and this image really holds that essence well. I believe that photography can help retrieve memories that have been lost, forgotten, or even stolen.
Read more: Read last month’s photo essay, The dream is in the body.
Go further: Read the full interview and view more images, in print! Available on Cordella Magazine.