I’ve spent much of the
last two years photographing events (parties and festivals), a couple of
independent film production sets, some sports, and re-enactments at
an historic landmark. Most of the time I was shooting candid shots.
I was learning photography and having a great deal of fun, but, I wanted
to create something different…something emotional.
I came upon the Portuguese
term “Saudade,” which is a word with no direct English translation.
It describes an overpowering feeling of longing or yearning for something
dearly loved. Something that is gone. It may be accompanied by
a hopefulness that what is loved will return but there is also a deep knowing that it never
would. Its origins are from the days when Portugal was a
leader in world exploration. Sailors and explorers set out in ships on
long voyages of discovery, often never to return home. Families and loved
ones left at home would never know of their fate. They only knew their
loved one was gone. They hoped for his return, but somewhere deep in
their hearts, they knew the truth.
I had my concept. I decided
to create a series of photographs that told a story of Saudade turned
dark. Hence, “Saudade,” along with the Portuguese word “Escuro” (dark).
Escuro Saudade tells the story of a talented and beautiful
woman living a life illuminated with love and happiness. One day she
suffers a great loss. She tries to hang on. She tries to go on
with her life, but she just can’t seem to cope. Her life is turning
dark, the pain is unbearable. Will she ever find the
happiness, the love, the light, she once knew, or is the Escuro Saudade just too
overwhelming?
I’m working with Tucky
Williams on the project. Tucky is a yoga instructor and an actress. We
met while I was shooting for Mark E. Poole, the creator/director of the
independent zombie horror / romantic comedy, “Dead Moon Rising.” When I
first came upon the Escuro Saudade concept, I knew immediately that Tucky
was the model for the project. Along with being stunningly beautiful, she
has an ability to lure you in with her smile as well as with her knack for
dark expression.