“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be seen. Not just seen with the eyes in my physical form, but seen deep down. I want someone to see through the exterior to the bits and pieces that make up my quilted existence. I want the “yes and….” to be seen. I want to be the happy face during that fleeting moment AND that strength that got me through my hardest moments AND the vulnerable softer bits that keep me company most days.
This is why I shoot self-portraits. It’s a way of exploring who I am and who I am becoming, while also allowing others to see me for me. It’s catharsis. It allows me to dig down deep and understand myself better.
It’s also why I gravitate towards portraits. Annie Leibovitz nailed it when she said “When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I'd like to know them.”
I know not everyone feels comfortable being an artist themselves, or feel like they have the tools to explore this themselves… and so I want to offer my skills as your tool to explore your journey. I want to help you be seen; by yourself and by others. I want to be curious with you and collaborate with you to explore these different sides.
I want to encourage you to decide to be yourself.
I have been a self-portrait artist long before I had the guts to call myself an artist. I have always sought to photograph what I’m feeling, rather than what I look like. It’s far more interesting to me and allows me to move past the superficial and into something far more meaningful.
I am a professional photographer and artist living in the South Georgian Bay area. I am most alive when I am outside, especially near large bodies of water, or trees that remind you you’re small. I am a dancer at heart. I would never say no to a giant salad, or a negroni. I forget to take out the trash, but can tell you who played in that movie you saw that one time but can barely remember. I have an undying love for light and movement. Repetitive lines always bring me joy. Wonder is the word I’m currently drawn to.
xo.frances