MICHAEL IVAN

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This was definitely the most difficult shoot in the series. I’m not one for self-portraits. However, since I knew I was asking people to be vulnerable in front of my lens, it felt right for me to put myself out there. The idea for this shoot had been germinating for a couple of years long before I started the TATT2U series.

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Ripping out the Bible pages and sticking them to the shower wall took quite a bit of time and effort. I wasn’t sure what else I wanted in the photo. I decided to strip down and situate myself under the pile of paper. Then I thought it would be great to throw them in the air to see them floating down on me and adding the element of me reaching up. Lastly, I added the yahrzeit candle from my dad’s funeral in 2019. And then the fun began with trying to set the camera up on a timer, jump into my spot, cover myself, throw the pages in the air, and make sure I didn’t start a fire. And of course, keep the tattoo visible.