Eight of my images placed in this quarters International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers contest ( ISPWP )! This was my first time entering anything so I’m pretty happy with that! Thank you to all my amazing clients who give me these awesome moments to capture.
To my surprise I was recently notified that several of my fine art images were recognized in the International Photography Awards last week. Although I was not awarded a grand prize, simply being recognized in this competition is a huge honor for any professional photographer and artist, as all of the most talented, innovative and recognized leaders in the industry worldwide were also being considered.
The 2010 International Photography Awards received nearly 15,000 submissions from 103 countries across the globe. IPA is a sister-effort of the Lucie Foundation, where the top three winners are announced at the annual Lucie Awards gala ceremony. The Foundation’s mission is to honor master photographers, to discover new and emerging talent and to promote the appreciation of photography. Since 2003, IPA has had the privilege and opportunity to acknowledge and recognize contemporary photographers’ accomplishments in this specialized and highly visible competition. Visit www.photoawards.com for more details.
My series ‘In Her Image’ was recognized in all three of the following categories:
Fine Art Still Life
Fine Art Nudes
Fine Art Portrait
In Her Image – Artist Statement: These narrative images focus on the mannequin, a common prop in retail stores and a manifestation of the idealized female form. Stripped of their original purpose as displayer of material desire, the mannequins are left nude in order to expose the surgical-esque fissures which joint their appendages, exposing the tension between their lifelike and artificial qualities. These fetishized figures speak to the power of sexuality but also to the physical impossibilities that are so widely accepted and exemplified by the flawless plasticity of the mannequin figure. These Stepford-like scenes juxtapose the glamorous appeal of celebrity with the mundane and stereotypical activities of domestic life. Within these images I examine some of the tools used within the commercial industry and question how they might effect our everyday perceptions of beauty and normalcy. In doing so I create bizarre narratives, seated in a fantasy of Western media-driven ideals.
I also submitted my MFA thesis work which was Recognized in the Fine Art Portrait category as well:
Collector:
COLLECTOR – Artist Statement: This body of work represents my investigation into an individual and societal preoccupation with collecting and the narrative or symbolic power of objects. In creating these images, I consider the personal and social conditions present in Western society that inform an inherent need to possess, create order, gain status, knowledge and to preserve. The images speak to the creation of a persona through possession, but also question to what extent one’s identity is dependant on those possessions.
To see more of my fine art work please view my other site here: http://larissaphoto.com/
Here are a few images from Martina and Steve’s gorgeous wedding at the St. Regis in San Francisco, CA. These two have been together for a long time, although you wouldn’t know it by how excited they were to see each other the day of the wedding! They had a wonderfully emotional ‘first meeting,’ and for the ceremony they wrote their own vows, which were some of the sweetest and most heartfelt I have ever heard…I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room! I love to see couples that are so head-over-heals crazy about each other…makes me love my job all that much more. Plus they were awesome dancers! Congratulations to Martina and Steve!
Location: St Regis
Coordinators: Lisa Blake of Bellissima Vita and Barry Peterson of St. Regis
Florals: Huckleberry Karen Designs
Lighting: Creative Lighting Design
Shoes: Kate Spade
Dress: Melissa Sweet
Here are a few images from Jane and Arthur’s gorgeous wedding at Viansa Winery in Sonoma CA. I couldn’t have asked for anything more….Stunning couple, amazing venue, fun family and friends and nice weather. It really was a perfect day! Jane and Arthur are such genuinely kind people – they were a pleasure to work with. Congratulations to you both!
I was excited to find that Monica and Patrick’s awesome Nautical themed Fisherman’s Wharf Wedding was featured on The Wedding Chick’s Main page this morning!
SEE THE FULL ARTICLE HERE:
All Images & Content © 2010 Larissa Cleveland Photography 
