In late 2023, I planned to do a personal editorial project all of 2024. One photo shoot a month to stay creative with local friends and show the world we could do it without big brands or commercial set work. A creative rebellion if you will. It was extremely challenging, but I am lucky enough to be in community with talented friends who joined to make it happen. Some shoots just happened to land perfectly, some I had to pull everything out of me to get creative, sometimes two had to be done in a month.. Even asked my own flesh & blood to participate. Hell, I was in the photos during one of the shoots!
In March of 2024, my only grandmother passed away. I knew it was coming and it still hit me like a tidal wave. She was/is my whole entire heart. Every single fiber of my soul & body hurt. One day I’ll write an entry just for her. I took the month of March off from the project, and made up for it later. Hairstylists are always expected to work through it all. Especially while capitalism’s hot breath is breathing down our neck. I went into my salon to work the same day my grandma passed. I wanted to complete the work week and slip into heavy grief over the weekend. It wasn’t ideal or healthy, but it had to be done. From March of 2024 and on, all of the work you saw me create (with friends or in salon with clients) was while I was deeply grieving. I guess I still am. Some say your best work is during grief.. But I find my best work is when I am well rested, have clear thoughts that produce good execution, well nourished, and financially able to purchase supplies.
Creating when you’re trying to survive is so hard. There are so many things I wish to do or experiment with even this far into my career. Most of my life’s work is what I need to do to survive. Survival means my time is usually filled with obligations and exhaustion, leaving little time for creative freedom. One thing I don’t feel is said enough when it comes to editorial work - it is fucking expensive. Hair weather faux or not, is not cheap. Larger projects are time consuming, which takes away from paid work, and funding it is essential. To all my fellow hairdressers that are trying to survive, I see you. I am you! Our gifts are ours and our beautiful minds will always be creative, never forget that.
I’m really proud of my commitment to the project. There were times where I wanted to give up. Times I prepped at the last second. Times where I had no vision and couldn’t explain the vision to the team. Despite my struggles I felt incredibly supported during this process. Everyone brought their strengths and we really worked so beautifully together. Every single position matters to create the end result on a photoshoot.
I wanted to honor this project in writing, something beyond an Instagram post. These images deserve that. Please take a look over the photos below they mean so much. I am honored to have them apart of my portfolio. Thank you to everyone involved, I appreciate you all so much. This work is timeless.
-Selina
