Fashion

Birthday of a Muse

Copyright Jeff Ball 2006

Today is the birthday of  my friend Felix. I met Felix for coffee today and we talked about photography, our history as friends and our futures.

For years, Felix was my main model. Any time I wanted to shoot photos, he was there, ready and willing.  He was open to new ideas and often had ideas of his own. Since then, Felix has been shooting many photos himself. He’s grown so much as a person and as an artist over the years. This post is dedicated to him.

Social Construct

Copyright Jeff Ball 2005

Gender is a subject that many people look at in terms of black and white. I have always questioned our societal views of what it means to male or female, masculine or feminine. Much of my work deals with the blurred lines between these ideas. I truly believe that gender is a social construction created through thousands of years of reinforcement.  Until we can break down these barriers keeping us from seeing people simply as people, we will continue to marginalize those that don’t fit our ideas of “normal.”

Lonnie

Copyright Jeff Ball 1998

This is one of my early fashion pieces. I worked with designer, Armando Guerra on creating this haunting look of our friend and model, Lonnie. I’ve always love the severeness of this piece. The stark black and white of the garment as well as the lighting and makeup. There’s a certain level of desperation in this piece.