A photo shoot session
So one day I had this idea to hire a professional photographer to take pictures of me painting outdoors. I feel like I need to share some of the feelings I experienced during this whole process. So I will try to put in words as best as I can.
Cory Raven from https://www.coryraven.photography spent an evening and an early morning with me in May. We picked Englishman River Falls for the evening and Parksville Community Park for the next day at sunrise. I am not sure how long the sessions ended up being. Time flew by for me.
Camera, lights, reflectors…action!
As for myself, I packed my paints and brushes, a couple of wood panels, my signature smock and found a spot to set up at each of the selected locations.
I had never been the centre of attention like this before, and although it was my choice, it was also scary, challenging and definitely out of my comfort zone! I did not know what to expect! I was very nervous as I had to actually begin painting as soon as I found a comfortable position, and a blank canvas is so overwhelming. The fact that I felt I was being “watched”, added more tension. I felt distracted, on the one hand I wanted to create, on the other I felt the pressure of posing for the picture even though my goal was that the photos should be natural and candid.
I decided to let go of my fears and trust the photographer, forget that he was walking around me taking pictures of me, tune out each click of the shutter, and focus on my art making process. It was a challenge for sure! Time went by and it was time to go home after that first evening.
The next morning, at the beach and with the sunrise light, I felt in my element. Could have been the familiarity with the ocean breeze or that I knew what to expect. My work wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I soon surrendered to the moment. It was almost as if I too was observing my process, and I lost track of the camera and the shutter. That morning also came and went.
Once it was over, now came the waiting period and the anxiety to see how did this turn out. Even though I could feel all of the camera movements, I did not know what the photographer was looking at. The suspense was overwhelming.
Finally the photos came in! What a fantastic job! I was very pleased with the outcome, yet it is important to point out that one of my biggest challenges is looking at myself in pictures. The image I have of me in my mind, is not what I see in the photos others take of me. This was no different. I focused on how different I looked, how I aged, or how much weight I’ve gained.
There was and still is plenty of self talk: Silvina, this is not about how you look, this is about you as an artist, you being creative, you in the zone, being who you love and being at your best. Let me tell you, it takes courage!
I love the photos, they are magical and, given that my work is playful and whimsical, Cory Raven was able to capture exactly that essence. The pictures are enchanted as if from a story book. He nailed it! I realize today, after having had sometime to digest the outcome of this wonderful experience, that the series describes Silvina Lanusse with detailed accuracy, not only graphically, but spiritually. My world through his eyes and for you to see.
This is me, this is my spirit.
