I began this series in 2013, during a transitional point in my life. I needed this series just as much as it needed me. In many ways, I used this work to break free from my past; it helped me reconstruct my identity.
Prior to starting this project, I considered myself strictly a fashion and portrait photographer. And while fashion photography will always influence my work to some degree, during this time I began to realize how unhappy I felt contributing to the entertainment industry. The conversations I had with peers felt vapid; it seemed like people would speak with little thought or intention behind their words. It left me feeling empty and alone. Looking back now, I see my past as a reminder of the mirage I had created.
$.99 Experiments are exactly what they sound like—an exercise in challenging myself to create artwork using only products from the $.99 store. This series became a study of form and how materials, when applied correctly, can transform a person into a living statue. It’s my homage to the freaky sculptor within me, long trapped by religious and conventional expectations. There’s a spiritual element woven into these photos; each session was an exercise in manifesting the abstract and surreal. Although these images may appear serious, the process of creating them was often filled with laughter and playful experimentation. In those ephemeral moments, we were each other's greatest collaborators, getting lost in the subtleties as our realities twisted and morphed. These people became my muses, and perhaps, in those moments, I was theirs.
The first two rotating images you see are the most significant of the series. The first, featuring a person’s face covered in milk, marks the beginning of this project. The second is a self-portrait of me, naked and covered in Vaseline. This image, in particular, felt deeply personal because the idea had been trapped in my mind for over a year. I avoided shooting it for a long time, fearing judgment. Yet, when I finally did, it felt as though a dark messenger had been vanquished. That day will forever stay with me, immortalized through the image.
When I look back at these images, I see someone blossoming into their own unique being and creative spirit. I also see the pain that person was enduring at the time. These images represent a profound rediscovery of myself—a visual expression far more meaningful than simply creating pictures. I believe we all need some form of catharsis to make sense of our suffering. I deeply empathize with those who have not found the courage to express themselves in this way. For I know all too well what it feels like to be trapped in your own mental prison.
It’s important to remember that we all have the capability to discover our truest self. We alone have the power to hold ourselves back or to push forward and embrace change. May we all have the courage to choose the latter.