Sean Scheidt is a photographer working in Baltimore, Los
Angeles and New York. Originally trained
as a painter, he began incorporating photographic elements into his paintings
until they became the dominant feature.
He believes in making photographs not just taking a picture; a level of
control that can more accurately render ideas and narratives. Relationships are essential. An image is not only a dialogue between
itself and a viewer, but a conversation between the photographer and
subject. That’s why he insists on upbeat
and light-hearted shoots with great care and attention to detail.
For his series Burlesque,
photographer Sean Scheidt captures the
transformative process of ordinary people into larger than life performers. Each
portrait reveals how, with a little makeup and a change of clothes, a person
can become someone else entirely. From unassuming portraits of ordinary men and
women to bold and provocative stage performers, Scheidt sees the series more as
a transformation than merely a ‘before and after’ photo shoot. He uses a basic
black background and a simple light setup to keep the focus on his subjects. He
asks each person to arrive looking as they do on an average day and has them bring
an outfit that encapsulates their burlesque persona. He finds that his subjects
tend to be more reserved in their first portrait but they completely come out
of their shell and own the place once they have put on their stage personas.
I really enjoyed the transformation these people went
through. They seemed more lively and
enjoyed being transformed into a completely different person. To think that a little makeup and an outfit
change was enough to liven up their spirits dramatically is incredible.
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