Firebending with Ra
For all the people that follow me on social media, you might have seen the behind the scenes of this shoot in action and I have unintentionally delayed putting it out. But waiting to release has given me a new appreciation for the photos. In talking to veteran photographers that started in the film era of our craft, have expressed a lack of desire to keep up with our instant gratification generation. We lose a lot of the luster and emotion of these photos by attempting to "Keep up with the Joneses" or feed our egos through an Instagram feed. A photo was once so much more than the click of a shutter, the immediate satisfaction of a 'Like' but viewed by more Native & indigenous people as the capturing of souls. With the camera, we hold the ability to transfer energy from a moment or of a room and carry that spirit to each and every viewer of each individual photo; this ability seems to have been lost throughout the generations. Taking the time to cherish the memory gives each image the power it deserves.
Meeting with and shooting Ra was a culmination of that concept. With her being both a pyrotechnician & a creative, we both entered with a similar understanding, a respect for each other's crafts. Not only do creatives harness a powerful energy but the prowess of a flame is unchallenged. No being, no other element have such a vast contrast in its innate properties and in that singular space, fire hold its own position. Warm & bright as the sun, the flame is a healer. Whether it's through rage or passion, fire teaches us how to fully grasp the concept of emotion. The warmth of the flame can be soothing to the soul and the brightness of its light can be a guide but can also be overwhelming if utilized incorrectly. It is in this duality that fire speaks, that the flame shows us how relatable she is to human connection.
Check out the photos that we captured that night and stay locked to view more from the connection that we built that night.
