Pole Photography Project
Russian Fish
Sneaky V
Albatross
Superman
Pencil Ayesha
Flag Split Variation
Banana Split
Jasmine
Umbrella Variation
Project Statement
Strength. Vulnerability. Injury. Recovery. Stability. Community. Art. Freedom.
Four months prior to the start of this project, my good friend Veronica Kott (the subject of this shoot), suffered a challenging shoulder injury that would bring into question her ability to substantially continue her activity in pole dance. First and foremost, Veronica is an artist. A classically trained jazz vocalist and pianist, as well as a licensed therapist, pole dance is something that she has included in her repertoire for the purpose of her own personal development and sustenance from a physical and emotionally nourishing standpoint. Just prior to her injury, she even showcased in the world-renowned Pole Sport Organization Great Lakes competition, so this made having the injury all the more devastating on a deeply personal level.
Fast-forward through months of physical therapy and inspiring determination, one day, she and I were on a Zoom call, and were having a conversation about my photography work, and discussed the idea of collaborating on an artistic pole photography shoot. I loved the idea, and I emphasized that I wanted this to be a celebration of her strength and recovery, and we agreed that the focus of this project would be less on the societal connection of pole dance to the erotic.
We were excited to begin working on this, and Veronica booked a pole studio space right away, and I immediately started coming up with ideas of how to use color combinations, and incorporating mixed light through the use of natural light and artificial colored lighting and the subtle use of shadow to create individual colored “scenes,” so to speak, for each of the number of poses that Veronica was going to display in the shoot, in addition to the interplay with the color of her attire. I also wanted to intersperse the project with individual portraits of her, as well as individual shots of the pole with the brick background that came out beautifully with the colored lighting to incorporate an understated narrative throughout.
This was my first time attempting a relatively ambitious on-location shoot of this nature, and it was honestly a joy from start to finish from its conception to completion, technically and personally. From getting to collaborate with a dear friend, to going to the store to purchase the supplies, thinking through concepts, seeing them come to fruition when taking the shots in real time, editing the photos, to my own deeply emotional reaction when seeing the prints come out…. This is yet again another example of personal confirmation that the decision to take this path was not in vain.
“When I injured my shoulder four months before the photo shoot, it was more unnerving than I expected. I realized how pole had become such an important activity in my life, not only for the exercise, but also for my mental health and a feeling of both ownership and freedom in my body.”
“Pole has helped show me that all bodies are beautiful; that my body is beautiful. I still struggle with this, but it is important to honor my body for what it can do over what it looks like. I think this is especially important for women to experience in a world that glamorizes youth and unrealistic physical expectations.”
“Pole dancing is an important community experience for me. As an introvert who is almost 40 years old, it sometimes feels overwhelming to socialize and make new friends. Being able to attend pole classes every week gets me out of my house and talking to other people who also enjoy the sport. It feels good to have some regular small talk while simultaneously cheering on your comrade while they hang upside down!”
“This is also a celebration of friendship. I was so excited to work with Charles because we have been friends for a while, and I know he creates quality work in whatever artistic endeavor he takes on, and I trust him. Participating in pole dance requires a level of trust – trusting your abilities, your instructors, and anyone else you invite into that circle, including photographers. Charles is trustworthy on so many levels, it only added to the celebration of sharing where we are both at in our lives at the moment.”
“Don’t compete with anyone but yourself. In fact, don’t compete at all. There really is no finish line if you’re doing it right.”
- Veronica Kott