ULTRA:EXTRA is an online platform for discursive conversations on visual art and culture in the digital age. They talk one-on-one with artists, writers, curators, critics, academics, and the public to create a forum for open and thoughtful discussion on what our eyes see in this world.
And when they asked me to take join in the conversation, I happily said YEAH!
If you want to see the interview and all the images featured on the ULTRA:EXTRA page, you can find it here.
‘THE BURDEN’ – a portrait of unrealistic beauty ideals
This is not a portrait of a girl. This is a portrait of all girls, who are suffering under warped expectations. A portrait of the burden of unrealistic ideals.
I’ve kept this place in the back of my mind for two years. At my first encounter I was blown away by it’s beauty and knew I had to make a portrait here one day. But I wasn’t prepared. And as we all know, the cherry blossom don’t last for too long. And when it’s gone, of course another year has to pass on by…
April came again. On my way from a meeting I took a detour to this park with my bicycle to check it out once more, and I got the exact same feeling again. Still I had no specific story in mind, but I felt a sudden urge to just go ahead and do something spontaneous. I started to ask around on my Facebook page for someone to model for me on short notice and Amanda, who is now attending the same photography school I did, volunteered. The timeframe was short, but with the wise words “GO JUST GO” as a tagline we jumped right at it.
the STORY
It so happened that Amanda only a few days earlier had posted a self made short film on YouTube that truly struck a cord with me. It’s called “För mycket hud i pannan” (in English “Too much skin in the forehead”) and is a very personal, very strong, message from Amanda about the effect the distorted beauty ideals can have on young women of today. But also about choice, willpower, and to be totally fed up with it. An issue that I, as so many others, have a personal relation to and feel very strongly about.
Sketching on the story for the image I couldn’t help but get inspired by Amanda’s story. It trickled down into my own tale, starting to crystallize a story about the price for the strive of beauty. In Japan, cherry blossoms are a true metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. They bloom out with such extreme beauty, and then they die within a few days, the petals floating like snowflakes to the ground. With this phenomenon and symbolism as a base the idea of a girl, or rather an entity, heavily weighed down by her task, started to form.
“To me, this image is a comment about beauty ideals, the pressure from the world around us, and the toll it’s taking to keep up appearances. But also, in this image lies a bit of hope, that the burden of unrealistic ideals one day will be lifted by our collective choice and willpower. Maybe even defeated.”
the PREPARATIONS
We decided to shoot the image just three days after me first bringing it up, not to risk the flowers to disappear. On the question of how early in the morning Amanda could imagine to come to the location her answer was “Everything for the arts – as early as needed”. Oh how I just love that attitude!
The day before the shoot I set the alarm to 05.30, grabbed my bike and went to check how the light looked at this hour.The light was how I wanted it to, but it was absolutely freezing cold and I was a bit worried that Amanda would be really uncomfortable with sitting still in a thin dress in that cold morning air. But again, Amanda just laughed at me worrying. And her enthusiasm couldn’t make more excited.
I also spent the day asking around for an old painter’s ladder, and happily, getting hold of one by the kindness of my former teacher Kalle. I also looked up a recipe for home made, environmental friendly… and hopefully more skin friendly… paint and went at it. It actually turned out better than expected! Creating my own paint bucket out of a strawberry jam container, going back and forth across town to get hold of the ladder, ironing the dress, packing some warm socks and a blanket… and we were good to go.
the (quite cold) SESSION
The shoot itself went very smoothly. Amanda was such a trooper in that dress, even with me splashing cold wet paint all over her and treating her like a baby, pulling ragg socks on and off of her bare feet to try to keep her warm between set ups.
It all took about 30 minutes from rigging the equipment until it was packed again, and then Amanda surely was well deserved to change into something more comfortable. Even though her skin to some extent was still covered in that, now dried up, pink paint… But she was still smiling 🙂
good work deserves a GREAT BREAKFAST
After the portrait was shot we went to the fantastic nearby, american diner inspired, Egg & Milk for breakfast and we spent a couple of absolutely great hours of chatting about hopes and dreams, upcoming shoots, and most things in life.
It’s so fascinating when you connect so strongly with someone you just met, forgetting about time, and just keep on talking about and sharing passions. It was such a lovely morning and I truly hope we get to do that again some day Amanda!
And I hope the good people of Egg & Milk forgave the strange pink stains we possibly left in the restroom…
Amanda Falkman is also a very gifted photographer with an interesting career on her way. Check out her work here and for Pete’s sake… GIVE AMANDA SOME LOVE for her participation in this portrait!
‘SHE WALKS WITH COLOURS’ – Changing summer into autumn
“When Rania showed me the dress I knew instantly where to shoot her portrait. I had been walking by this forest path so many times, loving it but knowing that this place required a medieval or fantasy theme. And oh how that theme suits Rania.“
The dress have been in Rania’s possession for quite some time and it means something special. We had been talking about capturing a story for her with her dress for a while and suddenly we felt a sense of urgency. Why wait and not take the opportunity to capture the memory of a beloved garment, representing a special time in life that might never come back?
Also, Rania’s hair is a true symbol of this time, right now. Her dreadlocks feel so natural with her and her personality, and hair can truly be a strong expression of identity. Who knows what will happen. Some day the dreads and the dress will be gone. Why not immortalize them now and keep the memory of this time intact forever?
“The story took a while to develop, but when finalized, it feels so right, natural and obvious. Rania is a true autumn lover. Her whole appearance goes hand in hand with that wonderful time of year. And when that time appears, she truly shines.”
I still can’t help but get a huge grin on my face when thinking about the discussion we had when Rania almost… aaaaalmost… convinced me that autumn IS better than summer. And oh, I love my summer time…
So the hair, the dress, the location, the theme, the season, it all came together. Rania, with an essence of nature, of warm tones, of heart and spirit and earthiness. A person who spreads warmth and colour to everyone around her. Here it is. ‘She walks with colours’.
MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING Get Behind the Scenes of the making of the ‘The storm starter’, another fantastical portrait of Rania where her hair truly is the focus of the story…
Behind the Scenes of ‘SEEKING NEVERLAND’ – a sister portrait session
“The strong bonds of sisterhood inspired the sisters Kristin and Ellinor and myself to go into the forest one sunny summer’s day. We wanted to capture moments that speaks of memories and closeness between sisters, and combine that with celebrating the imagination and innocence of a time past.”
This is a tribute to all of you that at some point were split between adulthood luring in the distance, and at the same time didn’t want to grow up. That found comfort in the idea of a never-ending childhood, protecting you from the world beyond. To you who let your mind be occupied with imagination and dreams of magical, more exciting worlds filled with adventure and innocence.
“This is a reminder that that magical place is still out there. It is never too late to visit that fantasy land, protecting you, even for a little while. This is to you, who is Seeking Neverland.”
‘Seeking Neverland’ is part of my in progress series ‘Parallels’ where the stories unveiled are parallels to the ordinary world we all can see. I would recommend to check the images out in their full glory and full size at the site of the series.
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Last, but not at all least, I want to give my love to you Kristin and Ellinor. Not only are you remarkably sweet, kind, and funny, but your positivity, generosity and helpfulness has no limit. I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Love, Jenny
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DEAREST SISTER
MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING Curious about futuristic fashion photography from Göteborg? Check out this “alienesc” editorial, taking you to The space that is and isn’t…
I had two cheerful announcements about getting published last week! First up, in the lovely Golden Age Magazine I was featured with an interview and images from my portfolio and my series Parallels.
A late summers day I gathered a fantastic team to make an image for my conceptual portrait series ‘Parallels’. I had been inspired by Rania’s (previous studio portrait) dreadlocks and her dark features for some time…
“…I wanted to create a portrait alluding to greek mythology characters and their features, like Medusa and her hair and the sirens and their manipulative powers. Being from the windy southwestern parts of Sweden the image was created on the concept of the ocean and storm, and the power to control it.“
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Photographer | JENNY JACOBSSON Make Up Artist | MARTINA SÖDERLUND Model | RANIA RÖNNTOFT Assistant | ANDREAS SKOGLUND Behind the Scenes footage | JENNY, MARTINA and ANDREAS ____________________
Martina got the task of keeping Rania’s natural beauty but at the same time turn her into a vicious sea creature. I had the task of making Ranias dreads stand up like they were floating and moving by her powers. To do this I needed to twist steel wires round every one of her approx. 40 dreadlocks and then sew sewing threads to the tips that we later connected to a wire ring crafted by Andreas.
We attached the wire ring to a long stick that Andreas used to lift up the dreadlocks above Rania’s head. Thank you so much Andreas, for patiently performing the odd task of standing out in the cold wind holding a stick attached to hair.
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A huge thank you to you Rania for your radiantly positive attitude, even when getting wet and cold. And to Martina for your creative vision and also shooting BtS footage. We sure had a fun time, fighting against the sunset!
‘The sentence’ is part of my series ‘Parallels’ and was shot in Sälen, Sweden. We were there on a skiing holiday with my family, but being me I just couldn’t let this breathtaking landscape be out there without being photographed.
“The cold got me thinking about for how little time you would actually survive out there without any cover or extra warmth. And this story came to me about an entity, light as snow but with a deadly darkness, executing a sentence leading to certain death.“
It was oh so cold outside (about -15° Celsius) so to be standing still or to take off your protective clothing was not a nice experience. So the day before the shoot I planned the story carefully, making my doodle sketches with the composition, placement of the woman and in what direction she should be releasing her butterfly.
On the day of the shoot we set out to find the right location. I wasn’t completely happy with the first test shoot location so we went higher up on the mountain and found this desolate vast expanse of snow. The sun was shining while setting up, Andreas being very helpful in letting me know when I was at the planned position, but before I even got my protective clothes off the clear weather changed to overcast. And actually, I liked the mysterious feeling that was created in the shift. All the planning in the world can’t master the weather so instead I let the story form around what was provided.
I hope you enjoy the portrait! X Jenny
PS. I must say this hot chocolate and waffle treat was well deserved after getting back into a warm house!
I was happily surprised, and proud, to have my piece “The fall” chosen as Picture Of The Day (October 19th) over at the fantastic One Eyeland! Not everyday that you see yourself next to a portrait of John Malkovich…
MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING A great way to learn more and see selections of images, and if you’re interested in me getting fried for answers, is to check out the features and interviews in the Features & Publications category!
The summary for the awesome year of 2012 continues!
1 – This was the year of interior shoots…
2 – …and architectural shoots…
3 – …and photographing animals in the hostel Strandflickorna together with wonderful photographer Rania Rönntoft, a collaboration with Copywriter Axel Johansson and Art Director Andréas Silverblad.
4 – It was the year of doing an assignment for Passivhus, a collaboration with Copywriter Anders Malm and again with Art Director Andréas Silverblad, taking us all the way to the finals of the competition Pitch 2012.
5 – I did the profile image for Mollbyrån and Andreas Gustafsson, and continued to work on my self portrait project.
6 – I got the honour of photographing some of the cutest children ever…
7 – …and I visited exhibitions of some of the best photographers and artists, e.g. Sally Mann, David LaChapelle, Paul Graham, Christer Strömholm, Helmut Newton, Arnold Newman, Gerard Richter… and more.
The design and web development bureau Mollbyrån in Gothenburg (Göteborg) asked me to shoot the profile image for the website’s About page (Om byrån) (visit the page for a larger image) and excitedly I jumped on board. The assignment also included to develop the image concept in collaboration with Andreas Gustafsson, the creative director of Mollbyrån.
Brief:Creative, active, conceptual, artistic, without borders…
Making man fly – how to create levitation in Photoshop
This video is a Before & After as well as an accelerated showcase of my post-processing of a several files to a finished conceptual image. Here I’m making man fly by creating levitation with a few Photoshop tricks.
The sky is the limit…
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location | LANGKAWI ISLAND in MALAYSIA model | ANDREAS GUSTAFSSON
2011’s Christmas and New Year we took a trip around the world to something very very different from a windy and dark Gothenburg. 17 days in Malaysia were just what we needed to thaw our frozen winter spirits and to relax, just enjoy life, each other’s company, and experience new things everyday. Of course this beautiful country offered many opportunities to pop out your camera and shoot things that you normally don’t find back home. The image above, “Man of passage” was one of those. And I just want to share with you a few behind-the-scenes shots around the session.
This gorgeous view is of course from the plane when going in for landing over the archipelago around Langkawi. Langkawi is actually made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast where the bigger Pulau Langkawi is the main island.
The beaches were covered with white sand and this spot is part of the beach lining the wonderful resort we were staying at. During daytime it got really hot, but even so I asked Andreas veeeery nicely if we could go and do a shoot that I had been thinking about for a week when constantly watching palm leaves lying around. And of course he approved :). I promise you, after 3 minutes on the hot beach sweat was pouring down our spines (even though we prepared by taking a long soak in the pool beforehand…) so the session was actually really quick and effective, maybe 10 minutes in total. Counting from when the other tourists (some more tanned than others) had left the crime scene… Luckily I had a very planned image in my head and I knew exactly how I wanted Andreas to hold the “wings” and what pose I wanted his body to have.
Andreas did an excellent job, giving me exactly what I wanted. Although… the jumping was not ALWAYS graceful…
…but we surely can blame that surprisingly heavy palm leaf that were the size of me! That’s our resort in the background.
Afterwards Andreas got some well deserved rest in the shade. Oh how I miss that place…
And finally, a goodbye from the partners in crime. I think I’ve never looked more beautiful 🙂 Again, keep your eyes open for my planned upcoming blog post with a bit more processed shots from both the island as well as Kuala Lumpur. Until next time, enjoy life!
The portrait “Rania” above I created in a photo studio project a few weeks into our first term at Fotoskolan i Göteborg. It began with a studio workshop at DDR GBG that are run by Magnus Cimmerbeck and Magnus Johansson here in Göteborg (Gothenburg). Magnus & Magnus are two awesome and talented dudes who were nothing but nice, fun, and helpful and they both made the day a total blast. Starting with several cups of coffee, buns and cakes, we had a long and good discussion about the lives of photographers, how to make it in a tough business, and M&M gave us tips and tricks and their point of view…
We were amazed by their studio/office space and I must say that it was close to exactly how I would like it myself… Also, we got the opportunity to practice our studio skills with a lot of good help from M&M.
We were given a task to choose an image that we found interesting and that was shot in a studio, and later in the school studio try to replicate the lighting that were used in that shot by shooting a model of our choice. I knew straight away that I wanted to photograph my classmate Rania who is not only an awesome girl but also has an amazing look that I find very interesting. And she chose to shoot me, and if you want to have a look at the result here it is over at her blog: “Jenny” and also at “Jenny again”. We had lots of fun in the studio. Until we managed to break one of the lamps…
A week later M&M came to our school to review what we had done and to discuss our work, comparing the original photo with our own version. Another great day with a lot of good laughs.
Johan Ekström who is awesome at lighting and photoshop had created a shot that caused the class to break out in chattering and turbulence and everyone wanted to study the photo up close.
The absolute favorite of mine was done by my classmate Helena below who recreated one of the famous portraits of Tyra Banks from Italian Vogue, with another classmate as a model… a guy called Morten. And she had done it so beautifully. I fell in love with the portrait straight away. Click the image to see it bigger.
Kudos to Magnus & Magnus for giving so much of their knowledge and making the studio workshop so much fun. Check out their work at DDR GBG.
MY TIP FOR FURTHER READING If you like this portrait of Rania with her gorgeous dreads, don’t miss the conceptual portrait ‘She walks with colours’ where Rania lets them out and truly got to be in her true element in this medieval/fantasy image!
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