honorable mention
Larissa Weston united states
title
Here With Me
The work is meant to be familiar and relatable as a way to connect all viewers. Through a portraiture and fine art approach, I am inspired by the landscape in which I grew up in. I enjoy spending time in and admiring nature and love the tranquility that can be found in these landscapes. Being a woman, there is a sort of empowerment that comes from spending time in nature and I am drawn to the various forms and natural lighting situations that can be found there. When taking photos of my subjects, I try to create a moment of stillness and reflection both for myself and the subject. I communicate this stillness and reflection in various ways, whether it be through the gaze of the subject, the gestures and body language of the subject, or the familiar yet unfamiliar locations in which the photos are taken, all of this is done is to achieve the actuality that we are all here together, growing and feeling our way through our existence.
From a young age, Weston was drawn to the process of photographing people. She was gifted her first compact digital camera at the age of ten and started photographing the things around her. Her younger twin sisters were her first subjects and are still common subjects in her work today. Her fine art work over the last few years has focused on the flawed humane moments of fragility, vulnerability and reflection. During her photoshoots, she creates an atmosphere of stillness for her subject(s). She urges her subject(s) to connect with themselves in a sincere and vulnerable way, in order to capture them in a moment of reflection and growth. These moments in Weston’s own life are ones she has drawn near to the last few years, as her own life has shifted and changed. As a wedding photographer, it is important that Weston is able to create a welcoming environment for her couples to be in. One in which, the couples are so focused on each other that they forget about the camera and the photographer and are just able to be fully with each other in the moment. In doing this, she is able to capture genuine emotions and connections. Weston is a senior in the photography program at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
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entry description
In my body of work, “Here With Me”, I explore ideas that communicate my perspective on day-to day moments as a flawed and growing female in a chaotic world. The moments I draw inspiration from are the moments of stillness and reflection we as humans, find ourselves in. The point in time where we feel most ourselves and most vulnerable. Whether it be time spent alone or with other people, moments in nature, in a car, in cafes, or in our beds. My work reflects these moments that declare our existence and I reflect on my experiences with internal thoughts and feelings. Whatever and wherever the moment, there is a stillness to be found there and unsaid thoughts and emotions that occur during that time.The work is meant to be familiar and relatable as a way to connect all viewers. Through a portraiture and fine art approach, I am inspired by the landscape in which I grew up in. I enjoy spending time in and admiring nature and love the tranquility that can be found in these landscapes. Being a woman, there is a sort of empowerment that comes from spending time in nature and I am drawn to the various forms and natural lighting situations that can be found there. When taking photos of my subjects, I try to create a moment of stillness and reflection both for myself and the subject. I communicate this stillness and reflection in various ways, whether it be through the gaze of the subject, the gestures and body language of the subject, or the familiar yet unfamiliar locations in which the photos are taken, all of this is done is to achieve the actuality that we are all here together, growing and feeling our way through our existence.
about the photographer
Larissa Weston is a photographer from Weatherly, Pennsylvania. Her work focuses primarily on portraiture and fine art practices. Weston specializes in weddings, headshots, senior portraits, and fine art photography. Her work can best be described as authentic, warm and natural. Her photographic processes consist of both digital and film. Weston is influenced by a variety of photographers such as Nirav Patel, Gina Cholick and Laurken Kendall.From a young age, Weston was drawn to the process of photographing people. She was gifted her first compact digital camera at the age of ten and started photographing the things around her. Her younger twin sisters were her first subjects and are still common subjects in her work today. Her fine art work over the last few years has focused on the flawed humane moments of fragility, vulnerability and reflection. During her photoshoots, she creates an atmosphere of stillness for her subject(s). She urges her subject(s) to connect with themselves in a sincere and vulnerable way, in order to capture them in a moment of reflection and growth. These moments in Weston’s own life are ones she has drawn near to the last few years, as her own life has shifted and changed. As a wedding photographer, it is important that Weston is able to create a welcoming environment for her couples to be in. One in which, the couples are so focused on each other that they forget about the camera and the photographer and are just able to be fully with each other in the moment. In doing this, she is able to capture genuine emotions and connections. Weston is a senior in the photography program at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
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