SELF : DIRECTED

Emma Suykens

A dynamic, low-angle shot of a person with East Asian features and an edgy, punk-rock style against a black background. Their voluminous, spiky dark hair frames a face with dramatic purple eyeshadow, sharp winged liner, heavy blush, and glossy dark red lipstick. They wear a brown faux fur stole draped over one shoulder, a dark studded denim halter crop top, black leather-look shorts, and intricate floral fishnet tights. Tattoos are visible on both arms, and a hand with rings extends towards the viewer, blurred in the foreground, creating a selfie-like perspective. Multiple ear piercings and a belly button piercing complete the look.

Self-Directed is an editorial fashion campaign that merges dark femininity and contemporary street-style fashion to examine themes of self-expression and identity. The photographs in the series engage with the visual language of traditional fashion photography, while shifting the emphasis toward agency and self-directed femininity. The use of dramatic studio lighting, confident posing, and controlled compositions increase the sense of feminine presence and intentional portrayal. Each set of 3 is designed with intention and narrative to evoke a sense of confidence and frame femininity as powerful. By combining historically feminine and masculine-coded garments, the series explores the role of fashion in creating a sense of identity, while simultaneously displaying femininity as confident and multifaceted. Feminine presence is often labelled as not humble enough, not modest enough, or taking up too much space. But what happens when we stop seeking approval and choose ourselves?

About The Artist

A front-facing, waist-up portrait of a young woman with a pleasant smile against a plain light cream background. She has wavy, shoulder-length light brown hair with blonde highlights, green eyes with subtle eyeliner, and glossy lips. She is wearing a light yellow sheer mesh top with a faint reddish-purple watercolor-like pattern, featuring ruching on the torso and a tied detail on the left shoulder, revealing a small bow tattoo on her upper arm. She accessorizes with gold twisted hoop earrings and a delicate gold necklace with two intertwined rings.

Emma Suykens

Emma Suykens is a Toronto-based photographer raised in Dundas, Ontario. Her interest in photography and design started at a young age where she showed a fascination for being creative, constantly documenting the world around her and developing a sharp visual sensibility. What began as a childhood fascination with image-making evolved into an aptitude for food, product, and studio portrait photography. With a strong interest in commercial work, Emma combines artistic direction with a strategic understanding of branding and business. Her love of crafting as a child translated into an enjoyment of precisely curating product scenes, refining small details, and designing cohesive sets. Presently, her work includes a range of techniques, including modern commercial styling for products, and a range of dynamic posing, fashion, and lighting styles for portrait work.

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