Jessica Judge Photo
I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The subject was in Toronto, Ontario. Despite being in isolation for about a month now, we still made absolute m a g i c .
Thanks to the fantastic community of photographers I find myself a part of online, we’ve found solace and creativity in hosting virtual sessions. It’s something that I never thought would be taken seriously, an idea that popped into my head prior to seeing anything about it, but I thought to myself… Nah, then folks will just know how to take nice self-portraits alone.
But then I found Teri Hofford sharing this topic, and wow my eyes and mind opened up. I decided after seeing so many beautiful and funky creations on my feed, that I needed in on this action. I needed to beat this creative block, feel like my passion is not lost forever.
OK. I guess I need to stop for a minute and explain if you’re not too sure what I’m talking about. Using your phone, tablet or even laptop, through a video chat (facetime, zoom, etc…) I am able to walk you through a virtual photoshoot. Posing you, guiding you through your space, the light you have available to you, and moving me(your phone) to where the better angles will be. It’s not perfect, but that’s sort of the point!
Moving right along… I hopped onto Teri’s online course to see what else there was to know before I started, I knew I couldn’t just hop in guns a blazin’. This wasn’t about showing folks how to take a nice self portrait, this ultimately was always about providing an experience! Something fun, bold, and empowering to do while we’re all stuck inside… Have me yell some nice things at you! I’ll pose you through our video call. Grab some screenshots and edit them in an exciting, less than traditional way than I normally would. It’s the ultimate quarantine collaboration!
There is something so unique, intimate and just so authentic about the way these images feel. They really feel like stamp for this odd moment in time. Truly a moment where digital is taking the limelight, as the quality of these wouldn’t be recommended for print necessarily.
Although, there is something to be said about being able to show people what you can do just your words, a little bit of light and a lens on the other end of the internet. Imagine what some of us can do in-person once all of this is over! 😉
Jessica Judge 