The key ideas for this work were to capture the action of movement within a space of stillness. I was trying to communicate the theme of life juxtaposed with death, and the themes of sadness juxtaposed with celebration. I aimed to convey a photo-diary of my experience during my grandmother’s funeral, in the form of a joiner. I explored the questions of the taboos of taking photos in a solemn space, as well as the imagery of flowers and how flowers are used in both joyous and desolate occasions. 

My subject matter deals with life and death, and the trauma that unfolds within the individual that feels as if they are crawling out of their own skin when something bad or sad happens. I tried to capture the movement of facial expressions, hands, and bodies as a way to create a deeper sense of time and space in my piece. I also played with lighting and opacity to enhance different parts of my work. I used my Canon Eos Rebel T6i and a tripod, as well as some lighting from lamps and lights in the two different locations I shot in. I used human subjects as the focal point of my work, as well as plants and flowers. This project was of interest to me because it helped me to mourn the loss I experienced through photography.