See through me

Story by Ami Colberg

See through me is a story that explores femininity through the technical aspects of work with light and shadows, styling decisions as choices of garments and colors, and the postures of models. The focus is on creating a feeling of freedom and connection to sensuality, which is achieved by the connection of models to their inner selves and using fabrics and textures that enhance their postures. The main element of the story is the comfort of being in one’s body and skin, which creates a connection with nature and beauty. The project raises questions about sensuality, femininity, and self-awareness, emphasizing freedom of expression and erasing any judgment. The inner world comes in contrast to the world of perception by the other, assisted by the female gaze that enables this type of freedom of expression.

The team for this project consists of photographer Ami Colberg, stylist Sakura Kokka, and models Naomi and Jade. Ami describes the work on the project, “Dressed to show, not to hide. In this story, the natural lighting falls in a sculptural silence on Naomi and Jade, investigating the contradiction of the styling and the poses reflecting an introverted sensuality.”

Photography by Ami Colberg Stylist Sakura Kokka Models Naomi at Zoe Models & Jade Clothes by Soeur Tokyo

Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

‘We wanted to explore the relationship between the postures and the garment and translate it as a state of mind.’

We aimed to reveal visual poetry inspired by the rich forms of self-realisation as a woman. We were reflecting on how sensuality is perceived from the inside from the perspective of the female gaze. The idea was to create something simple yet profound. We wanted to explore the relationship between the postures and the garment and translate it as a state of mind.

‘I like to shoot fashion with no makeup and show the skin as it is, leaving it all natural.’

I decided to emphasize the contradiction of the attitudes and the style. In most of my work, this would be a key element. I love to mix opposing features to convey a profound sense of freedom. That day, our creative process was rooted in the juxtaposition of the inner and the essence of connection as humans. The purpose was to create a space to express and understand our feelings as a way of self-awareness and use photography to capture the process.

We shot this story at my home studio in Paris. It is in an intimate and natural setting. I met Sakura in Tokyo last year, and I immediately fell in love with her work and aesthetics. Jade and I know each other from Paris. Sakura and Jade both have in common this need to express their femininity through their own handmade creations. We used these unique pieces, aerial lines, deconstructed forms, and see-through knits to highlight the body. As far as stylism goes, the creation process takes time and preparation. I spend hours researching and trying all sorts of combinations for a silhouette and I enjoy the development of an idea from scratch to finish. I like to shoot fashion with no makeup and show the skin as it is, leaving it all natural. Photographing and creating art with women who inspire me and help each other to grow personally and professionally

‘I allow raw creation to intervene in the workflow. This is crucial for my creativity, my artistic pleasure, and a more intuitive result.’

I usually shoot on film. I often switch cameras in the making of one picture, using each camera for what it provides best, always keeping in mind the end result. I use a medium format Mamiya and also a great, pocket size, point-and-shoot. This last one is a clever way to take risks and have interesting results that you may not have with a more traditional setup. I also carry an old Polaroid from the 70s.

On the shooting day, I follow my mood boards, however, I'm open to new ideas, different angles, light changes, and so on. I allow raw creation to intervene in the workflow. This is crucial for my creativity, my artistic pleasure, and a more intuitive result. I'm often surprised by those off mood board photos, giving me ideas for the next project.

Film and natural light work very well together, this is why I often love this combination. And my Parisian studio is a great natural light space. By the end of the shooting, I was thrilled and scared! It's a lovely experience of mixed feelings: not knowing what it looks like until the film is developed and receiving the contact sheets.