They’re My Memories

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Cliff

I’ve photographed a lot of people, more women than men of course, who have tattoos.

Everyone seems to have at least one. My wife has ink as well, and I have learned to appreciate the art, as well as why the art exists.

My friend Hannah is one who seems to be in front of my camera whenever she gets something new, or has something finished. The one on her shoulder that’s seen in an image here is on the wall at my studio back before the color was added. It’s even more beautiful now. But why?

Here’s what she told me about the art she wears. “They’re my memories.. all of them are things that make me smile and remember important things.. my sister, my family, and my faith.” Her sister is Kaitlyn. Older than Hannah, and with Autism. Hannah says, “She’s been in my life for the entirety of it.. I never thought I’d be able to understand my big sister more. Until, that is, Hannah decided to major in Special Education.

Hannah’s big sister, the “light of her life” has inspired her to make the world a better place. She’s a senior in college now, and truly with her life, as well as the ink on her skin, she is Woman as Art.

Infamous

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Cliff

Like many young and single mothers, Emily struggled following the birth of her daughter.

Karlee is now three and a beautiful and happy child, and I anticipate photographing her soon. But the stress of caring for Karlee took a toll on Emily. Having a place of her own, paying bills, working 40+ hour weeks and soon the stress was taking its toll. Throw in the loss of a dearly loved brother and a few other things and soon Em weighed less than 100 pounds.

98 pounds, to be exact.

Emily came to me for photographs because she’s happy where she is now. In a good place in her life, remembering the special moments.

She is perhaps, just starting to realize that she has a long way on the road in life, but will always be, a beautiful Work of Art.

Oh and by the way, “Infamous” is a tattoo that graces her lower torso.

Time Flies

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Cliff

It wasn’t very long ago that I did Elyssa’s senior pictures when she graduated high school. Now she’s about to become a mother for the second time. Makes a photographer feel old.

Cassie at 33 weeks

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Cliff

Cassie has been featured on Woman as Art before, and I was happy to have her here in the studio again this week.

She’s about 33 weeks along, and is expecting to see her new son in about 6 weeks. He will join a big brother and two big sisters. They all got in the action during the session!

Someone might question the pose in the 3rd photo – with basically Cassie sitting like a man. She did say it was quite comfortable, but the artistic vision behind this is: this is historically a pose of power – and what’s more powerful than bringing life into the world.

And that’s just another way that a woman becomes a masterpiece.

Kelli

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Cliff

Frequently when I ask someone if I could make their photographs, they’ll say, “I don’t model.”

My answer to that is that I don’t photograph models – I photograph people that I find interesting.

Such is the case with Kelli.

From all walks of life. Different backgrounds, interests, and appearances – the common theme to be found in women is of course that they are all beautiful. And they give the world LIFE – Kelli’s daughter is 13 months old.

Thanks to Kelli for allowing me to once again to show that a Woman, is a Work of Art.

A Little Confidence

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Cliff

Today’s beautiful woman I first photographed 6 years ago, and I have a couple of times since then.

What you may not know about her, is that she suffered from the same affliction that so many other women I have met also do – the MIRROR. When she saw herself in it, she was looking at a different person that what you and I would see.

If I had ever wondered whether I was changing the minds of the women who posed for me, I got assurance from her in this note that I am:
“You really did help me feel so much better about my body. More than you realize, and that confidence is just irreplaceable. So, I thank you thank you thank you! It makes me happy to see many more women discovering the same thing!”

Beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes, and their insecurities do too. Please don’t compare yours to theirs – either your body or your insecurity.

Incidentally if anyone is interested in posing for Woman As Art, please contact me. I’d be happy to have you in the studio. Here’s some words about how your session might go:
I would never request that you do something that you’re not comfortable with certainly.

I have references LOL – including my wife who’s fully supportive in what I do.

You can remain anonymous.

As far as what the photographs would be – hard to say exactly. I can send you some examples – the website already shows that I work more with light, shadows and curves – than with nipples (LOL).

Brittany

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Cliff

I first photographed Brittany 4 years ago this week. She was probably also the first person who I ever walked up to as a stranger and said, “I really WANT to make photographs of you.”

Fortunately she’s not shy about meeting new people, and I have worked with her several times since then.

Fortunately it was warm weather when I saw her in Walmart, and the top of her ink was exposed. That was of course what brought her to my studio.

Most strangers don’t know that she’s brought life into the world twice, and her body shows the love she has given to her children. She’s also a student, and from what I hear, works hard in the gym, working out the frustrations of a difficult job as well.

These images are from are latest session:

Woman as Art

"Be open to the experience that could change you."

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