Starting a photo book is always a great challenge. The pictures for my books are created specifically. It is not simply a print of a "best of" from my portfolio. Instead, I look for a common thread. An overarching theme that holds everything together without seeming forced. And most importantly, a good flow when leafing through and browsing between the picture stories.
As I make illustrated books, there are no page numbers or text in between. My text is limited to my foreword because I know that the vast majority of buyers don't like to read. Those who do will find a story about the individual pictorial stories in the book every Wednesday from now on — here in my blog. How things came about, what I was thinking and what happened during the shoot.
Foreword
While the average age of the models in my last book was 23, which is pretty damn young, this time the 27 women are on average 28 years old. At 28, they have more life experience and know their bodies better. I sensed that. And I myself have also become older and more mature.
Someone who is mellow is often described as relaxed and easy-going. The person doesn't get too worked up about things that are out of their control. They are content with their life and don't feel the need to prove themselves to others or constantly strive for more.
I like that.
When people are slightly and pleasantly intoxicated, they often say that they feel mellow because they have reached a relaxed and pleasant state. That's the feeling after a glass of wine. I rarely drink alcohol and I don't want to compare my book to an addictive substance, but the description of such a slightly intoxicated feeling fits somehow for me, I have to admit.
Just like people, fruit or wines become more mature and can be described as having mellowed when they reach a full and pleasant taste without any sharpness.
And also to the way I photographed this photo book. I photographed a lot with diffusion filters. Almost always, in fact. To remove that digital look and make my images look softer. For me, it suits the genre of nude photography enormously well.
When I write that the women "allow themselves to shine", what I want to say with this figurative expression is that they express their unique qualities and talents without holding back or hiding. Of course, since they are naked, this always takes effort. So it's about being confident and self-assured. It's also about being the best version of yourself and sharing that with the world and inspiring others. Being unadulteratedly genuine and radiating positivity, self-confidence and authenticity is somehow also in line with the current zeitgeist.
The description "embracing life" implies a warm and accepting attitude, which fits the Mellow theme. And it immediately creates a beautiful image in my mind.
In my foreword, I also suggest that the women shown inspire others to do the same by letting themselves shine. By that I don't mean that everyone has to take their clothes off, but that a relaxed life and living together means a better world for us all.
Ultimately, life is a journey for each of us. We experience ups and downs. Good and bad things happen. »Mellow« implies a thoughtful, unhurried journey through life, and the invitation to "pause and let your dreams wander" fits perfectly with the idea of a gentle and contemplative exploration of life.
But the basic attitude is there and I'm not a snapper, but a very thoughtful and sensitive person and photographer.
Tezz already appears in the foreword, because the deep conversations with her made me think so much and get into this emotional world. The "mellow leap" I am talking about is intended as a contradiction. And "feeling alive" or "craving for vitality" like I put it is certainly one of the big dreams that lies dormant in many of us.
So, let's begin.
Every Wednesday from now on, I provide background information in my blog on one of the 35 pictorials in my photo book »Mellow«. Please buy your copy before all the books are gone.
