Branded By Fire

She was 21 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The first photo It is a representation, of how cancer affects the victims mind, moving through them like fire and smoke suffocating their mind. The second photo it is a representation of the body, how pieces are physically missing. How the women sees herself.

The rational behind these images is a personal one. I stood on the sidelines as I watched it not only affect her body but her mind. People say “she beat it”, did she? The scars on her skin run deep but the ones in her mind run deeper. You can only watch and offer support. Its their own struggle to overcome as much as you wish to carry them through it.

To create this effect I combine 2 photos in post production. Photographed a model, then used incense smoke and photographed it with a slow shutter speed to create the fire.

A special thanks to the beautiful model Alexien DeMontezuma.