the dark enchantress
Photographer: Taylor Cheyenne
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
My art has been profoundly shaped by the traditional values of my hometown, where external expectations often conflicted with my desire to uncover and embrace my true self. Raised in a religious environment, I grappled with existentialism at an early age. The weight of religious dogma–coupled with guilt, fear, and alienation from my peers–was a constant battleground for my ongoing search for identity and meaning.
As I navigated the boundaries of conformity and self-expression within my adulthood, my art became a space for me to explore the complexities of those experiences—topics which include isolation, abuse, and loss. This internal conflict has become a guiding influence in my work, which ultimately aims to embrace the dualities of life and honor both light, darkness, and their interconnectedness.
The natural beauty of the piedmont, with its ever-changing landscapes, has also acted as a mirror–and backdrop–to my personal and artistic journey. The intersection of identity, the beauty of the natural world, and the vulnerability of artistic exploration heavily lends itself to my style, which often delves into themes of liminality, transformation, transience, and human connection. This has allowed me to create art that is not only visually compelling, but deeply emotionally resonant.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
One of my favorite collaborations was a portrait series inspired by the religious tale of "the fallen"–angelic beings once filled with immense beauty and power, now stripped of their wings and cast down to earth. What started as a simple exploration of the concept evolved into a striking blend of both natural and supernatural elements. Fusing the ethereal essence of nature with the harshness of special effects, we were able to capture portraits that expressed both fragility and loss.
Our collaboration pushed the boundaries of the original concept, leading to a body of work that explored themes of identity, religion, and redemption in ways that were both transformative and thought-provoking. I adore collaborating with other artists for these very reasons–together, we’re able to create something much more meaningful than I would have been able to achieve alone.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
One project that truly challenged my creative boundaries involves a series of unreleased portraits. The concept was to capture an “emergence of self,” which required raw, emotional moments under intense lighting conditions. The technical difficulty was compounded by the fact that I was working in a space with limited resources. I had to think outside of the box, experimenting with unconventional angles, lighting, and post-processing techniques to create a striking, visceral emotional impact. This required moving beyond traditional poses into a raw, introspective space.
This process involved a lot of patience and adaptability, as many of the shots were unpredictable and required real-time adjustments. There were moments of uncertainty, but the team embraced the challenge. By focusing on context and atmosphere, we were able to tell a complex, meaningful story. Ultimately, portraiture is not just about capturing a face—it’s about evoking feeling and connecting with the subject on a profound level.
The takeaway: The most challenging moments often yield the most rewarding results. I learned the importance of letting go of rigidness and allowing space for spontaneity. The most unpredictable moments often bring the most emotional resonance!
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
Above all, I deeply value forming genuine connections with the people I work with. My work is rooted in capturing the essence of human connection, exploring the interplay between emotion and the natural world, while fostering acceptance and ensuring my subjects feel beautiful, valued, and truly seen. To me, photography is not just about documenting an aesthetic; it’s about telling a story, evoking a feeling, and inviting a conversation between the viewer and the subject. I believe art begets art; each creation inspires another, which fosters a cycle of creation and introspection. My approach emphasizes authenticity, seeking to uncover the layers of individuality and shared humanity that make every subject both unique and universally relatable.
Through the use of shadows and low-key lighting, my work moves away from traditional notions of idealized beauty, focusing instead on conveying raw, intimate emotions, emotional depth, and storytelling over aesthetics. My portraits aim to evoke a visceral emotional response, prioritizing depth and authenticity over perfection. Using grain, texture, and contrast to evoke mood, I aim to create portraits that feel timeless and universally relatable, amplifying the subject's inner world.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
As I reflect on my journey, my primary goal is to continue to grow both as an artist and as a person. I am always seeking new ways to push the boundaries of my work. Currently, I am in the process of creating a book that combines both my photography and my poetry, which I hope to release in the coming year. This project represents a significant milestone for me, blending visual and written expression to tell deeper, more layered stories. Beyond that, I aspire to continue expanding my creative horizons, collaborating with other artists, and exploring new mediums and platforms for my work!
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Creative Director/Photographer: Taylor Cheyenne
Model: Acadia Rose