After testing positive for HIV and diagnosed with AIDS, Seattle-based photographer Adrain Chesser knew he had to tell his loved ones at some point, but he writes, " I had an extreme physical reaction whenever I thought about having to tell my friends and family." To get over this painful hump, Adrain Chesser decided to turn the news into a powerful photo series that captured his friends and family's initial reaction to such life-altering news.
Set against curtains from the house he grew up in, Adrain Chesser started each seemingly innocent portrait session with 'I have something to tell you,' which inspired the series' title. The reactions ranged depending on the person's "own experience of loss, illness and death, creating a portrait of unguarded, unsettling honesty," as noted by Adrian Chesser.
AIDS-Revealing Portraits
Adrain Chesser Captures Loved Ones' Reactions to His Tragic News
Trend Themes
1. Emotional Response Photography - Photographers capturing candid emotions in response to shocking news.
2. Documentary Portraits - Portraits that convey raw and unguarded emotions.
3. Personal Narrative Photography - Photography that tells a personal story or experience.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Photographers using innovative ways to capture authentic emotions.
2. Art Therapy - Using art to express and process emotions.
3. Mental Health Services - Using photography as a therapeutic tool for individuals facing life-altering news.