The Black Couch

Digital infrared original

In 2001, with Cassandra and then Victoria, I made a series of images on a white leather couch; almost a decade later, for a model’s first (and only) session working with me, I had the chance to work with another leather couch. In this case however, the couch was black, which worked beautifully with the model’s pale skin.

Digital infrared original

The entire focus of the session was on providing the model with images celebrating her body; with a whole life of experiences behind her, and a recent focus on reshaping her body later in life, she wished a classic image to have for ever to remember reaching a personal milestone.

Digital infrared original, 3 frame stitch

As the model desired anonymity, I couldn't make images that were parallels to the earlier ones on the white couch, but in many ways this session drew directly from the images made seven years earlier.