The Female Gaze, featuring Penelope Gazin
A great portrait photographer has the innate ability to coax a subject out of their shell, a talent that Parker Day exhibits well. For her “ICONS” series, she’s compiled 100 photographs comprising creatives across fashion and art. Each image shot by the LA-based artist is an eye catching, high-contrast swirl of colour that’s reminiscent of those gone-but-not-forgotten Glamour Shots from the ’80s – minus all of the Aqua Net and cheese factor.
“If a person’s self-constructed appearance allows them to become their truest self, how can it be false?” – Parker Day
Unrestrained and full of confidence, Day’s models hold nothing back once in character. This is essential for the photographer, who tells Sleek, “I can’t deal with people who are in a shell! I need raw energy.” With a number of well-known faces including Penelope Gazin and Molly Soda, Day has scoured the web to find subjects that aren’t afraid to get a little crazy. “I came across most of the models on social media and reached out because they inspired me in some way.” As for what exactly she searches for in a willing subject, the artist says, “I look for people who show freedom and power in self-expression, people with a complex emotional presence.”
At its core, “ICONS” serves as an exploration of identity and self-expression. In an effort to figure out what constitutes real versus fake, Day plays with aesthetics to create images that help transform her subjects into their truest selves. “A lot of people feel more themselves with tattoos, dyed hair or even plastic surgery,” she reasons. “If a person’s self-constructed appearance allows them to become their truest self, how can it be false?”
An Eye for an Eye, featuring Mary MacIntyre
Barbie, featuring Alees Yvon
Though each photo serves as a vehicle for self-expression, “ICONS” requires a great deal of collaboration between Day and her subjects. She’s constantly on the hunt for new tchotchkes and costumes to add to her wardrobe, scoring most of her finds at the local charity shop. “I’ll often have the model bring over some potential outfits and props and we’ll see what inspires us. Once they’ve triggered an image in my head, I’ll search for other bits and pieces to bring everything together and flesh it out.”
“An artist might not get a magazine’s attention from their portfolio alone, but then they’ll reach 10K followers on Instagram and suddenly editors start paying attention” – Parker Day
Earlier this spring, Day exhibited “ICONS” with a series of well-received solo shows in LA, New York and Portland. This is a welcome change for the photographer, who admits to feeling creatively misunderstood in the past. “Platforms like Tumblr and Instagram allow artists to create a fan base that leads to more and more opportunities. Someone making weirdo art might not get a magazine’s attention from their portfolio alone, but then they’ll reach 10K followers on Instagram and suddenly editors start paying attention.”
Goosebumps, featuring Maddy Ellwanger
H8, featuring Ernie Omega
With such a unique creative vision, it’s no surprise that Day is just as outspoken when it comes to her personal style. “Most of my clothes are thrifted,” but I have a lot of love for underground designers like Damage, BCalla and Dilara Findikoglu.” A fashion chameleon, she enjoys switching up her style on a regular basis in an effort to avoid wearing the same thing day in, day out.
As for what’s next, Day is focusing her attention on projects outside of “ICONS”. “I’m working with a lot of musicians now, mainly on publicity photos and album covers.” She recently photographed American rock band Cherry Glazerr for Polyester zine, and looks forward to shooting her first billboard in the coming months. “I want to concentrate my energy on a new body of work, but it will still build upon the images created in ‘ICONS’.”
Aroma, featuring Femi Abon
Coupons, featuring Molly Soda
Cold Blooded, featuring Natalie James
Where’s the Party, featuring Cameron Tyme Edison
Tara Parti
For more information please visit parkerdayphotography.com