JUST PEOPLE
Photographer Cornelia Schmidt portrays stories in her project “Just People” about everyday people. They are all naked as far as not wearing clothing, but their passions are shinning strongly through imagery. Cornelia’s keywords are: humour, respect and incredible beautiful. The texts and photographs complement each other in telling a story about the magic of the individual, at the same time as they leave a lot of space for the viewer’s reflections.
Why naked?
Society judges us before we open our mouths by what clothing we are wearing. It is easy to make conclusions about someone seeing their clothing and accessories. Without the clothing distracting the viewer, Cornelia can go deeper and portray their story. Each person decides how much of their body they feel comfortable showing and Cornelia adjusts the poses after their wishes.
A documentary about our times
The project will serve as a documentation of our lives today. Nowadays people have tattoos, solid bodies that have spent many hours at a gym or large bodies that wouldn’t go near a gym. They have colourful hairstyles, certain accessories and icons in their lives. These stories from people from all over the world with different skin colours and different cultures tell us stories about how people today live, what they feel and what values they have. Some stories portray an overwhelming emotion, like sadness and longing. Others portray a strong personal trait or passion, like music or chocolate.
Cornelia humbly sees the individual and works with a complete respect for the person she is shooting. Then in her humorous and daring way she collaborates with the person and they compose an interpretation that honestly portrays the special and unique essence of the individual. Cornelia’s passion for this project will give the book energy and a life of its own.
Just People is an original concept by Cornelia Schmidt. Presented below you will find some photos from this photo project. If you are interested in arranging an exhibition or to book photographer Cornelia Schmidt with this concept please let us know by sending us a message.
Fighting against
Fabula
Flowers instead...
STOP
SILENCE
YIN YANG
Madness
GRACIAS A LA VIDA
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Fighting against
Everything isn’t always what it seems to be. That which appears to be strong may be fragile. The key to respecting other people is realizing this and allowing others to be exactly as they are, without mixing in your own set of values. There isn’t just one truth, but there are six billion ways of seeing reality. Sofia, Sweden -
Fabula
History is the closest I can get to talking to people who lived and died a long time ago. I will never meet them but looking at what they have left behind; shards of pottery, hidden coins, lost letters, anonymous portraits and treasured jewelry, brings them to life for me. Even if nothing remains of them, there have been countless people with dreams and stories to tell. Perhaps they, too, enjoyed the feel of the sun on their skin and made up stories about people they never meet. Someday, though we have lived, we will be history as well. Danika, Australia -
Flowers instead...
We waited and anticipated, suddenly you arrived, not one but two. How did this come about? We are happy to have two, but we are only following one. We’re waiting and anticipating the time we meet again. Your sister is our daily sunrise. She is brilliant and beams and you burst into bloom on our little grave. You will always be one of us. Peter & Angelica, Sweden -
STOP
Even the best days are hard days for me. Everything takes so much energy. Other people complain about how hard things are for them. They have no idea what it is like to have OCD and struggle with every simple, little thing. Luckily, I am strong. And I will walk away from this one day, with my chin up and my hair blowing in the wind behind me, even stronger. Maja, Sweden -
SILENCE
“ssshhh!! Silence is speaking. Listen to it! Daniele - Italy -
YIN YANG
Friendship is your real homeland. Finding a real friend a thousand miles away from home, finding a sister a thousand miles away from home, finding a home a thousand miles away from home … a sensation of security and belonging. You don’t have to share the same blood, sister. You don’t have to have grown up on the same street, friend. Words are not necessary, love. We have found everything here, on the other side of the world; in the middle of an unknown territory, we have found each other in each other’s eyes … so different but so equal. Parallel lives in a life that almost does not belong to us, but without it, we would not have been blessed with “us”. We exist, we listen, we help. We will always find each other … me and you, you and me. Francesca & Stefania, Italy -
Madness
The feeling you get when you are moving downhill at a speed of 40 km/h with only your body as the source of control. That feeling is the best. Patrick, Sweden -
GRACIAS A LA VIDA
We are living and we passionate about doing it right. Committed to preserve the world that has been given to us. We work to improve our own circumstances and improve the lives of those who aren’t so lucky. We are not alone! Luigi & Rosa, Italy