Fashion Photography by Jasmine Simone
Isaiah (artist)
Natalie (watercolor artist, florist)
Kavi (street photographer)
Kesia (esthetician)
Isaiah (artist)
Natalie (watercolor artist, florist)
Melissa (photographer, dancer)
Jasmine Simone
10/25//2020
My art and photography are inspired by the elegance of the feminine essence expressed through the human figure. I seek to portray imagery that is tastefully crafted and cultivated to create the highest expressions of artistry and refinement. My work explores the technical methods of studio fashion photography in a socio-philosophical approach that aims to convey a message of equality, diversity, and sustainability of culture. I express these messages by photographing people who live at the margins of society struggling with injustices and oppression in a high-end portraiture style, rather than the established subjects of near-perfect fashion models.
Inspired by the works of feminist artists such as Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, and Martha Rosler, I seek to combine my education in feminist studies and my admiration of the fashion and beauty industry to fuse together these two unique areas of interest to create a modern approach to commercial and editorial photography that is focused on a distinct awareness of social issues. Unveiling a larger story in the stillness of a single frame, I explore the narrative of effeminate subjects, objects, and scenes—complicated by inequities, yet full of depth and tenderness.
I choose not to focus on the qualities that are oftentimes objectified and sexualized, but the subtle and genuine characteristics of the female experience, and the unspoken essences that are oftentimes marginalized and dominated in our culture. The meaning of my work can be seen in many of my previous projects. For example, Working Moms explores the tension of women who work outside of the home and remain to carry the majority responsibly of household and childcare chores at home during a “second shift.” The narrative of exploring imbalances that effects women’s lives, particularly violence towards women inside the home is continued in Soul of a Survivor [a project in progress] which aims to shed light on the dark topic of domestic violence that is often left out of conversations, normalized in media, and corrupts personal relationships.
As I continue my dedication of supporting humankind to transcend stereotypes and break down barriers, I aspire to confront the complexities of gendered social issues in an aesthetically appealing photographic style that is accessible to a global audience through printed images featured at gallery shows, published in magazines, and available to circulate on online platforms.
Jasminesimoneart.com
