To Capture The Emotions of Childhood

Loretta Lux1, a fine art photographer known for her surreal portraits of young children, is a very talented photographer who portrays children who don't seem to like childhood much.  Still poses and dreamy expressions seem to be her trademark (dreamy, not as in 'Christmas-is-coming' dreamy but more like 'I'm quite bored with life' dreamy).  Her images are simple with simple colors and negative space. And they are quite captivating and interesting to look at. 

Katie Watson2 has a similar style, but where Loretta's images are muted and painterly, Katie's are more like a real life version of Lorretta's. With a twist of non-reality. Again very interesting to look at. 

Hellen van Meene3 captures like Loretta and Katie, but advanced to the teenage years.  Specializing in teenage girls with the same sort of still and dreary appearance.  All of them tell a great story. 

Wendy McMurdo4 is like Loretta crossed with a bit of abstract.  Something lovely and purposely off at the same time.  Also wonderful storytelling. 

I don't mean to suggest Loretta as the inspiration of all the others, as I truly believe similar ideas can be born to multiple people, that is just the order that I viewed them in and therefore my own personal connection of them. 

I enjoyed studying all the above photographers, and I very much enjoy and appreciate their talent and unique styles, and am inspired by their work.  I find a connection to them in my own work but in a surprising way.  In capturing the emotions of children I want to capture the opposite.  One of the reasons their work is so captivating is because they go against the natural disposition of children- which is something we are not used to seeing, particularly in photography.  In my photography I want to capture a child's light and fight for joy- amidst difficult life circumstances.  This too can be captivating and interesting.  But I want to bring to life those difficult circumstances as well. 

My plan is to consult with the children themselves about their situation.  Their frustrations and fears as well as what brings them hope and joy.  I want to create an illustrated image to represent their darkness, and then using the same base, transform it into an illustrated image that represents their joy and hope.  These images, in juxtaposition will illustrate both sides of childhood struggles.  Anxiety filled life experiences, and the natural disposition of children to smile and dream. 

1 Lux, Loretta at:  http://lorettalux.de/
2 Watson, Katie at: https://www.katiejanewatson.com/
3 van Meene, Hellen at: http://hellenvanmeene.com/photos
4 McMurdo, Wendy at: https://wendymcmurdo.com/