Joy
Sunghee Moon, in her collaboration with Joy Choi, creates a story in which the team observes the nude body through movements, close ups and focus on distinct body parts, and contemplation on the emotions during the shoot. The story is a body dance, the quest for finding oneself and for answering deep underlying questions and obtaining confidence.
Each frame reveals an additional layer of the beauty of the body and Joy's personality. Sunghee exposes her approach to working with the model, in which the open dialogue is the main element. The conversation enables to explore the deeper layers and allows one to open up in front of the camera. Sunghee shares with us, “my way of working comes from many conversations. I think it is very influential when the model feels comfortable.”
One of the most memorable frames depicts Joy rising above the bed, curving her back as if floating in the air. Joy describes the idea behind the image, “I just thought about what I could do with my body and muscles, and I thought of an idea: to take as uncomfortable a position as possible.” We speak with Sunghee and Joy about the preparations for the shoot, their long conversations, and the main connecting thread - Joy, which comes as a person, a character, the title of the book of poems by Joy, and the tattoo.
‘Austere was planned as a very raw and minimalistic visual to create. It was set to find a strong and confident look as it was possible.’
— Sunghee Moon
Tell about the idea for the shoot and the preparations.
Joy: First, I suddenly realized that I had never been photographed until I was 26. Then I've been concerned about how to show the 'true me' in a picture. At that time, Sunghee, the photographer, suggested a nude photoshoot, and I thought, 'Wow, that's what I wanted!' We've selected the images we needed by sharing various suggestions and ideas through phone calls and messages. Along the way, I was so grateful to Sunghee because she made me comfortable to talk about the designs that I want by putting my opinion first.
Sunghee: I wanted to take a picture without a specific frame in my mind, and I shared my idea with Joy. She felt strange because she had no experience of being photographed this way. So I tried to relax her by showing my favorite photos and talking. Also, we found a filming location where we could feel comfortable and to prepare for the shooting.
‘During this work, Joy gave me a book of poems that she wrote herself before filming, and her name caught my eye as the title. It was like a symbol.’
— Sunghee Moon
Joy, the title of the story, is also a model’s (dancer’s) name and her tattoo, which creates several layers of possible views of the shoot. How were you working with this as a guiding idea?
Sunghee: She was a joy to me. All inspiration comes from her. And I've shot her tattoo in the past. When I went to her practice room, I noticed the tattoo and thought it was adorable. During this work, Joy gave me a book of poems that she wrote herself before filming, and her name caught my eye as the title. It was like a symbol. I wanted to have the title of the photoshoot in her name.
‘I just followed her flexible and vigorous movements. I focused while observing the body line and the muscles that appear when she moves.’
— Sunghee Moon
How did working with Joy, a professional dancer, impact the movements, the body postures, and the direction of the shoot?
Sunghee: Unlike other shoots, she didn't have to be directed to pose. I just followed her flexible and vigorous movements. I focused while observing the body line and the muscles that appear when she moves.
‘I tend to have lots of planning for the shoots, and almost every element of the picture is designed beforehand, but with Polaroid, I can enjoy the element of surprise.’
— Joy Choi
Could you describe your work on the iconic frame of Joy on the bed, raising her body in the air, as if levitating above the bed?
Joy: Rather than an iconic meaning, I just thought about what I could do with my body and muscles, and I thought of an idea: to take as uncomfortable a position as possible. After discussing it with Sunghee, I took the pose by supporting my body with only the tip of my head and toe.
Sunghee: It was just a momentary movement she showed. It was an overwhelming gesture as if she were rising above the bed. Joy is suffering from narcolepsy. I don't exactly understand the disease, but I felt inspired by the bed and her pose. In the second half of the work, I instinctively flipped over the photo. It's one of the iconic images of Joy, from my perspective.
‘Under the leadership of Sunghee, the conversation continued throughout the shoot. That made me feel comfortable, and it gave me a chance to express myself more naturally during the shoot.’
— Joy Choi
Which moment from this project is most precious to you?
Joy: It is my first experience to focus on a 'true me,' except for the profile photoshoot. Sunghee said she wanted to take a picture of 'me.' I think it's the most precious part of this project. Also, before, we rarely had long conversations during the shoot, but this time, under the leadership of Sunghee, the conversation continued throughout the shoot. That made me feel comfortable, and it gave me a chance to express myself more naturally during the shoot. The photographer's consideration stood out, and I think this is also a valuable part.
Sunghee: As usual, my way of working comes from many conversations. I think it is very influential when the model feels comfortable, which comes from having intimate and personal conversations. In my opinion, there is some force in the pictures that originates from this kind of work. So I think the most precious thing is the time we shared.
