Photography Project

carlyr

I am looking for subjects who would like to be photographed.

6 years ago, my mother was diagnosed with an aggressive Stage II breast cancer. I was 17, and she and I embarked on a photographic project as a way for both of us to process her cancer. I photographed my mother through her chemotherapy and her multiple reconstructive surgeries, over a period of a few years. She had SGAP Flap surgery. I also began photographing other women in our community who are affected by breast cancer.

I am opening up on this forum, which is a place I have come to for support myself as I am BRCA1 positive, to find women who would like to be photographed.

My goal is to empower women, to have each of my subjects choose how she would like to be portrayed, and to illuminate each woman's beauty.

The project is just in the beginning stages, but I have plans to make a large enough body of work (in a book and exhibition form) to be able to use the work to raise awareness and to funding for research. With some good connections and very strong will, I want to make the project financial success for research, with the dual aim of increased awareness of the emotional and psychological impact of cancer. The photographs are traditional black and white photographs.

I live New York City. I have a car, and can travel around the East Coast. I also visit Chicago once or twice a year. You can get a feel for my other photography at http://www.carlyries.com. I don't have the breast cancer portraits that I have made on the website, for respect of my subjects. I can email examples to anyone who is interested, if you email me at carlyries@me.com.

I would love to hear feedback from women in the forum, if they are interested in this type of project but have reservations. It is my intention to make women feel recognized and dignified, and in control of how they would like to be portrayed.

Thank you,
Carly