For her latest series, 'Becoming Mel,' Chicago-based photographer Mel Keiser took a series of paired self-portraits. The first photo was taken upon waking, and the second after she'd readied herself to face the public. More than a "Before-and-After" beauty feature, Keiser's series explores the ways in which we conceive of our own identity.
The differences between "private Mel" -- the sleepy-eyed, messy-haired woman who squints into the camera with a sneer on her face -- and "public Mel" -- the cheerful, confident woman who stares back at us with clarity and certainty, are performed in Keiser's daily routine. We recognize this fact because we, too, have a routine in which we "become" ourselves. Keiser says it best when she says, "The second picture is taken after I begin to feel like ‘Mel,’ usually after my physical self begins to reflect what I believe ‘Mel’ looks like."
The project reveals a sense of anxiety over the fractures in our own identity and the way it is perceived by others.
Daily Transformation Portraiture
Mel Keiser Explores Self-Image in Her Latest Series
Trend Themes
1. Self-image Exploration - Exploring the conception of self-identity through photography and daily routine.
2. Before-and-after Beauty Narratives - Moving beyond traditional beauty transformations to explore the complexities of identity.
3. Identity Anxiety - Highlighting the unease surrounding fractures in one's own identity and its perception by others.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Opportunity for photographers to offer unique perspectives on self-identity through visual storytelling.
2. Beauty and Personal Care - Creating products and services that focus on enhancing personal identity beyond superficial appearance.
3. Psychology and Mental Health - Developing tools and strategies to address and alleviate anxiety related to self-identity and perception.