April 2023.

“Emma…she calls to me” (Pt.1-5)

A series I *accidentally* shot about my relationship with my mum {and myself}.

I wanted to experiment with flowers after being heavily inspired by an artist on instagram I look up to who often uses flowers in her work (@bymandadawn ).

I had no real ideas for this shoot and only AFTER I developed and scanned the rolls did I realize what this shoot was about. I was putting together the images from the various rolls and the storyline just flowed so effortlessly. Originally I believed I was just playing around with something casual for this shoot….only for my subconscious to surprise me with the unfolding of this story :)

For greater context: “Emma” is the nickname my mum calls me and the “she” in “she calls to me” represents both myself and my mum.

Pt.1: i only exist in your darkest parts— the core/root dynamic of my relationship with my mum

Pt.2: imbedded forever, right?— a continuation of our root dynamic with a focus on the codependency phase of our relationship

Pt.3: Self Sufficient, Unafraid…Miss Out of The Way.— representative of my sister and title based on her favorite song as a little girl….Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent”

Pt.4: Position to Witness— representative of when I met Eben, moved away from home, and was finally able to step back and witness the dynamic as an outsider…. just as Eben was, as he was a stranger to the relationship that existed prior to him coming into my life

Pt.5: i finally see myself in someone other than you— finding space for myself to exist as a self who was never safe before that moment