Evidence of another evening playing dress-up and taking photos. It started with exhuastion, boredom and confusion and then lead to a quiet moment that allowed for a creative flow. This is what resulted.
This self shoot was to old reggae classics like "Cherry Oh Baby" by Eric Donaldson and "Pressure Drop" by Toots and the Maytals. As always, once the creativity came, the music kept it flowing.
It is incredibly freeing to let yourself wear whatever you want and stand/pose however you want, without holding back. For me, this has always been a private pleasure, if I allowed it at all.
Society, having been formed on the axis of race/gender/class (...) restricts this expression or confines it to socially acceptable, disempowered performances of self. For me, in this environment, while exploring the formal aspects of photography, "letting myself" dress and play on my own terms has brought much sweetness to my life.
If you haven't ever done so, this week, wear one item of clothing or accessory that you own but never dare wear. Wear it at home if nowhere else and take a photo to remind yourself of your own beauty/power/sweetness, not circumscribed by anybody else.
Or ponder Tanya Stephens song, "What a Day":
"I'm tired of the hunger I see on people's faces/Tired of the animosity between the races/Tired of corruption in high and low places/And pricks with money but no social graces/Tired of being judged for the style in my hair/And the music that I listen and the clothes that I wear....What a day when...[self] love aint just a concept we preach..."(sic).
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