These photographs were inspired by Mitski's song “Washing Machine Heart.” The lyrics “I know who you pretend I am” stood out to me and helped me create the mood behind these pictures. As an Asian American woman, I have felt what it’s like to feel like second to someone else just for being who I am. The model I chose was one of my good friends, Gabby, and I know we have both shared this experience. I wanted the shoot to include her looking at herself in the mirror, almost criticizing herself in the photographs through her poses and expressions. The cool and warm tones of the colored lights amplify the mood of what’s being portrayed. The blue lights were actually from a tea kettle, and the orange tones came from my house’s natural ceiling fan lights. The colors play a huge role in developing the mood, as the blues added a melancholy vibe and the orange adds a complimentary contrast. The strong, over-exposed highlights were done purposely to simulate a mellow, almost “high” look.
