There is one relationship in a person’s life which is so fundamental, that it should always take priority: the relationship with ourselves. Before attempting to build any kind of relationship with others, we should first build a solid relationship with ourselves, because this is the foundation for how we live our lives. This is the simple truth behind “foundation”, a series of pictures aiming to explore how we relate to ourselves. Using myself as a model and with the use of symbolic and surrealistic elements, I have tried to create images that I hope speak to everyone. These images represent my thoughts and observations of myself and of the people that surround me.

I started this series almost two years ago, in early 2013. I had not planned to make a series, but when I realized that many of my photo ideas were revolving around the same theme, I decided to work more on it and produce a series of images. The whole experience has taught me many things. It has been exciting and helpful to work on variations of the same thing, but there were also times I found it to be quite restrictive. There were moments I thought the series might never be complete, because the relationship with someone’s self is actually a never ending subject. So, I realized that I would never be able to portray every single aspect of this relationship and I chose to focus on those aspects that strike me as the most important. Throughout the series I tried to evolve as a photographer while keeping my style consistent. It has been an adventure, which I have deeply enjoyed and its conclusion gives me the strength to move on to different projects.

The series was already featured on art websites before its completion. Many of the images have also appeared on web and print magazines and most of them have been displayed in various exhibitions in Greece.

Here I have included all the images created for the series, in the order in which they were published. By clicking each one, a new window will open, taking you to the corresponding blog post, in case you want to learn more.

The first multiplicity image I created. Planning beforehand helped in making this easy to compose. I also learned how to make fog in photoshop! This image has been published in the greek photography magazine “Fotografos”.

The second image of the series is quite simple but I like its symmetry and its mood. This is when I learned how to make a dress longer and a wall taller in photoshop.

For this I went to one of my city’s landmarks on a nice cloudy day, sneeked into one of the small towers and started posing on the very uneven ground, while passers by were walking their dogs, pausing a little to see what I was up to. This one took some work in post but the result was very rewarding.

I think this is the most popular image I ever made. Right now it has over 200.000 views on 500px  and it has been featured on various websites and blogs. Lately it was also published on “Fotografos” magazine. This was the time where I learned how to erase a face and also how to “steal” your friend’s mirror because you simply must have it.

For some reason this image brings Alice in Wonderland in mind, at least some darker version. Maybe it’s the blue dress? The hardest part in creating this image, was the mirror reflections. My fingers still ache from all the detailed masking around the mirror’s frame.

I have to admit, this is one my favorites! Shot with the help of my husband, who was making faces at the camera while holding the other side of the rope. I especially like how the sky (which I added later) fits the whole mood and concept so much!

This image was not planned, although the concept was already on my mind when I saw this piece of furniture and decided to climb on it. I only wish I could have expanded my frame a bit more.

The next addition to the series came nine months later, last July and sadly it was the first picture I shot in 2015! This was a really busy year I suppose. It is also the first picture I shot while being pregnant. Though I hadn’t gotten too big yet, which was helpful because I had to fake run many times to get it right.

This concept was the most difficult for me to visualize. When the idea finally came to me, I was unable to shoot it exactly the way I originally wanted, for safety reasons. But if you can’t use smokebombs to get the effect you want, the next best thing is smoke from an e-cigarette!

The end of the journey, an encounter on an old bridge. I had to shoot myself seperately and then compose those shots on the bridge picture, because I was too pregnant at the time to be walking on old wooden bridges. So, up until the last image this image helped me learn a ton of new techniques!

All the images are available as limited edition, signed and numbered prints, on archival quality fine art paper. You can purchase directly from me or via the Saatchi online gallery.

The next few months will be dedicated to my little one, so no photography plans for me just yet. I suppose I will just see how it goes. I guess I will be more active on facebook from now on, so follow me if you haven’t already done so!

If you have managed to read all this, but even if you haven’t, it would mean a lot to me if you would drop me a line to let me know what you think!

I have been working on completing the “foundation” series, that I started almost two years ago. It feels importatnt to me to close this chapter and move on to different things. There is one more picture that I want to make and then the series will be complete.

This concept has been in my mind from the beginning, but I didn’t quite know how to visualize it. Then came the idea about the smoke. My first intention was to use smoke bombs and shoot outside, but then I thought it might not be the best idea for a pregnant woman to be around smoke bombs. Then I thought about using flour, until I saw a photoshoot by the amazing Von Wong, where he asked a member of his crew to blow the smoke from his e-cigarette to help create a small fog. So, I asked my husband to blow his e-cigarette in front of a black sheet, took some pictures and that was it! Sometimes the simplest things work best!

Although I think it might have been better if I could have followed my original plan with the smoke bombs, I am quite satisfied with the end result. Now there is only one picture left, which I plan on finishing in the following days, since my due date is approaching and I know that if I don’t do it now, it will probably be months until I am able to shoot again. So, I suppose you will hear from me again soon!

If you don’t want to miss any new blog posts, please enter your email in the box on the left and you will receive a notification any time I write something new. You can also click the icons on the top of the page to follow me on facebook, instagram or other social networks. Thanks for your interest!

Time for another addition the foundation series! Yay!

This is the 7th picture in the series. I shot it in August while my boyfriend and I stayed at his aunt’s house for a couple of days. I spotted this piece of furniture in the bedroom and I immediately decided to shoot something with it, so I came up with this idea. After all a mirror is the go to prop when the theme is the relationship with yourself, right? I happened to also have the mask with me, so I climbed on and this is the result.

I didn’t have to do much compositing this time, only the reflection of my face with the mask on. That is actually why I decided to work on this picture, because I knew I wouldn’t have the time to work on anything more demanding right now. I am in the middle of moving to our new home, so I ‘ve been very busy packing and making all kinds of arrangements. I have been dealing with this move for a couple of months now and if you’ve ever had to move, you surely know how exhausting this process is. Hopefully it will all be over by next week and we can get on with business as usual. Right now the house is of full of boxes and it doesn’t feel like a home anymore, which is rather sad, but who knows? Maybe I can make a couple of pictures out of this situation! Let’s see what happens…

Be sure to follow me on facebook for links to my photography articles on Artcore Magazine, news and before/after photos of my pictures!

Tug of war is an ancient game, once included even in the Olympics. For me it’s a memory from childhood, when we used to gather and play. I was looking for a way to symbolize the fights we give with our own self as an opponent, so I thought this game would suit my purpose. My goal was to show that these fights can have no winners, after all how can you be the winner if you are also the loser? This image is another addition to my “foundation” series, which so far consists of six images, including this one. I have more concepts based on the relationship with oursleves and I will keep on creating images for this series, because I find it very challenging and inspiring.

 

The was shot in a field somewhere near my boyfriend’s village. I had a specific image in my head about what it should look like, so we drove around a little and spotted this field which was perfect. This was right next to the sunflower field where I shot “sleeping suns“, so as soon as I had the shots I needed for this one, we ran across to the other field so I could shoot the second picture before it became dark. I’m happy with how they both turned out and mostly I am happy that I have been able to shoot frequently in the past few weeks.

Last week I spent some days in my father’s village, which is in the mountains, and I spent every day wandering in the forest on my own and shooting. I shot many new pictures and it was a struggle to organize them, so I can begin processing them. Here’s a sneak peak for you!

These new pictures were all shot with my new 50mm lens! I decided to buy one, because I really feel it’s time for me to upgrade my equipment. And since I can’t afford a new camera right now, I thought I’d invest on a new lens. I am really liking it so far, although it took some getting used to, because so far I only had zoom lenses, so using a prime one was new for me.

I have more photoshoots planned for the next weeks and I will also be taking some time off from work in late August, so I can have plenty of material to work on! Be sure to follow my facebook page, so you can stay updated on everything!