19/09/2018
Now him...
[this was supposed to be a caption but I'm literally writing a book].
Exactly one year ago I was giving up on photography, on the fight, on everything. I couldn’t make sense anymore of all stupidity advertised around the world, plastic meaningless images created to fool self-esteem and make money out of insecurities. I was trying to focus on emboldening women while their stories would help me unshackle myself, but that's not an easy task when you’re a bit damaged inside.
I’d been following his work for a while, my tired eyes dragged by the depth in his textures, strength and colors. The way he would explore sexuality as the basis of human identity, naturalizing and connecting it was definitely something else. The way he would photograph bodies in nature creating a sense of belonging, expressing sometimes even intensely painful emotions, clicked something with me.
I started paying attention to his words as well. All this male photographers bragging about capturing true female beauty (what?) nauseates me to the point I can’t even talk about. But he was nothing like that. Always being respectful, open to debate, caring in placing emphasis on the art he was creating, unbelievably photographing fe**sh without fetichizing his subjects. It was there: raw, simple and beautiful.
I traveled to Iceland just to meet him. He was having the II workshop there, so I made an agreement with myself: I’m gonna try this one last thing. I had this idea in my mind that if I could find myself in Fine Art photography, I would be able to get some distance to finally create meaningful projects. And it was incredible, a true revolution in my life. I met the most amazing people (I'll still write about them) exactly when i needed the most, but he was still the reason all of us were there together. Later, I went on my own journey with my heart lit and my beliefs renewed.
After the breakdown of losing all images I was so f*cking hard creating, I came back home shattered to pieces. A couple months later I was still completely destroyed when I got a video call from him and his awesome talented wife Nicole Vaunt (partner and muse) inviting me to go back to Iceland this year.
It was the most beautiful gift I had ever received and maybe they won’t ever know the importance of having something to look forward to, or a hand to grab when you’re completely lost and alone. He was no longer my favourite photographer in the world, he was a hero saving my life one more time (and he’s gonna absolutely hate that I’m calling him that).
Iceland, this time in the summer, was extraordinary again. The feeling of healing and being important is indescribable when you’re around people you admire, look up to and love. The plan was also to work on my project afterwards and try to cure last year’s trauma, but of course anxiety and insecurity after everything that happened were right there with me too. I was already about to give up out of fear, when his sweet sayings helped me overcome everything “it's always worth it to stay, something magical could happen” and it did.
So last month the unimaginable happened (I was gonna say “dream” but the things going on in my life since I met him, weren't even present in the most amazing of my plans): for almost a month I was in a tour hosting the most unbelievable artists in my home country, traveling across dazzling landscapes around Brasil, having lots of fun, learning and working on creating beautiful art with my beloved idols. See? That is even MORE than a dream.
Thank you Corwin Prescott, for being such an inspiration, encouraging myself to get things done, being this sweet loving artist and friend. I’ll be waiting to see you soon.
Btw, if you’re a photographer, you should pack your windproof pants and book this workshop immediately - [email protected] - but if you’re not that into freezing temperatures i guess they are having workshops in the States and other places as well - this and next year. Of course I recommend this with a little jealousy (cause now I’m jelly tielly) but I warn you to be ready to be blown away by the talent of everyone involved.
![Now him...[this was supposed to be a caption but I'm literally writing a book].Exactly one year ago I was giving up on p...](https://img3.photlo.com/852/747/1382423158527470.jpg)
