About (the project)
“Even broken our light is beautiful.”
— Jason King, Photographer
Photo: Abandoned , circa January 2022
Beauty where others have abandoned…
We are the products of our experiences. Our love, our trauma, our joy, our pain, makes us who we are. Some of us hide who we are behind our bodies, clothes, hair, makeup, wealth, and success. “If they focus on my perfect gym body, they won’t see the broken imperfect me.” From that comes the shadow. But all of us are more than our shadow, we are also lights.
LIGHTS in the SHADOW is a collection of photographic essays where models have put forth their shadow while also allowing their lights to be seen. This project aims to capture beyond the superficial and to show beauty where others have abandoned. The project also includes photos of abandoned spaces. Within these spaces we find messages left by others that convey sadness, hope, joy, and pain in a post apocalyptic environment. The two concepts (Stories and Abandoned) are meant to invoke thought on how we ignore deep caring emotion based on outward appearance.
Photo:
Barracks , circa November 2021
Inspiration
For years, freelance photographer Jason King has been capturing people and abandoned places. After a powerful afternoon capturing a series of abandoned barracks near Monterey, California, a song started playing by one of Jason’s favorite artists and personal friend: Lights in the Shadows by JØAN. The lyrics so perfectly articulated Jason’s thoughts of abandonment beauty, he became inspired to create a collection of photo essays that visually communicate strength in people, as the song does.
A very special thank you to Chelsea Davis and her musical partner (JØAN) for the creation of this powerful piece, which you can listen to below.
Listen
Please explore the amazing music of JØAN on Apple Music and Spotify and share it with others.