Let me be your fantasy: master 2019

This is part of a series where I explored other people’s fetishes, garnered from talking to dominatrices and a number of other people who were brave enough to submit their fetishes, anonymously, to me via email.

Although it’s a deliberately playful series of mises en scenes, I’ve tried to articulate a deeper empathy towards my subjects. As I continued my research, more and more I found that people’s fetishes were about empowerment and catharsis, rather than simple sexual gratification. The image most people have of fetish is often sordid and unhealthy; but I found my subjects have an image of themselves that, paradoxically, moves beyond the body and desire, into a realm that’s almost religious or saintly. It’s the sense of transcendence that I’ve tried to capture: the use of light, the ‘saintly’ poses, the combination of vulnerability and power – and the humour, too.

Let me be your fantasy: dogging 2019

This is part of a series where I explored other people’s fetishes, garnered from talking to dominatrices and a number of other people who were brave enough to submit their fetishes, anonymously, to me via email.

Although it’s a deliberately playful series of mises en scenes, I’ve tried to articulate a deeper empathy towards my subjects. As I continued my research, more and more I found that people’s fetishes were about empowerment and catharsis, rather than simple sexual gratification. The image most people have of fetish is often sordid and unhealthy; but I found my subjects have an image of themselves that, paradoxically, moves beyond the body and desire, into a realm that’s almost religious or saintly. It’s the sense of transcendence that I’ve tried to capture: the use of light, the ‘saintly’ poses, the combination of vulnerability and power – and the humour, too.

Colossus 2019

This is from a commission for an electronic artist for his album cover. It is yet to be released so I am unable to give you more details on the musician.

He wanted a retro futuristic feel so I shot is at Bletchley Park using the famous Colossus computer that helped end world war 2.

Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by COCA.

Vanessa Fairfax-Woods

United Kingdom

http://www.vanessafairfaxwoods.com

With my work I try to give women a chance to play: a chance often denied to women, who, instead, from a young age, are encouraged into roles of mothers, lovers, daughters, etc. In my work I like to create a unique space for women to explore, celebrate and even gently mock their own identities – not for the benefit of the male gaze, nor to conform to stereotypes, but simply for the fun of it all. My subjects play with the camera, and subvert expectations, appearing simultaneously glamorous and funny, strong and girlish. Women have a sense of humour, an appetite, a sense of play, a ‘cheek’, can be sexy, can be ugly, can be powerful, can be vulnerable. Women are a full spectrum and not these pigeon holes that they have been boxed into for so many generations.

I am a nominated heroine for the Royal Photographic Society 100 Heroines campaign.
I am currently in my final year at Falmouth university, studying Photography BA Hons.