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I started shooting portraits in 2009, after having spent years dedicating my time to strictly photographing music-related "stuff" (concerts, album covers, band promos, etc). I was a poor artist with no direction and certainly no money for a studio.
Luckily, my lack of funds forced me to get creative and to use the world around me. I had seen a photo of a theater in an abandoned asylum via an internet search and was immediately enamored with the image. I was obsessed with finding this abandoned place, as it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I had no clue that places like that existed. That was the wonderful start of my marriage with "finding cool locations". But, admittedly, something was missing. Visually, my creative ideas were ok. Not TOO terrible, but I was never truly proud or satisfied with them. To me, it just seemed like something wasn't clicking.
In 2011, my father passed away unexpectedly. The whole experience was gut-wrenching. Heartbreaking. I was extremely close to him (I was an only child) and I struggled tremendously to cope with what had happened. For years, I struggled. I hit some scary, scary lows. I remember thinking "Why go on when every day is just as miserable as the next?" People kept pushing therapy on me.
"You need help."
"You need therapy."
"You need medication."
But what I REALLY needed was to connect with my photography art. And I did.
The bittersweet thing is, the death of my father was the birth of my photography career. Suddenly, my creepy photos displayed emotion. They displayed stories and purpose and a sense of beautiful dismay, which was a direct mirror of how I felt on the inside. I poured all of my feelings and struggles into my fantasy worlds. I learned how to control how I felt and funnel it all into my ideas. I finally learned how to make the connection between imagery and emotion, and for once in my life, I was satisfied and proud of what I was creating.
More info: karenjerzykphoto.com
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#1
Rails
Final score:
93points
RELATED:
#2
They All Left
Final score:
78points
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
All I can think of is "poor thing". And I LOVE how the 'golden ratio' concept of the staircase is used in this photo.
#3
My Closet
Final score:
73points
Yvonne Bernal 8 years ago
My Closet?? I'm glad I didn't see this as a child... I would have been frightened to ever open that closet door! Interesting composition for sure!
#7
The Crown
Final score:
63points
cristy marshall 8 years ago
Wow! Words can't describe how these photos make me feel... you do an unbelievable job at mixing terrifying and beauty. Your dad would be proud of you and, I'm proud of you too! Go make some money off of this talent you have.
#8
Waking Nightmare
Final score:
62points
Tammy Chapman 8 years ago
Oh WOW....not sure what to say on this one. It would scare me to wake up and see that. But it looks really cool too
#9
The Farmer's Daughter
Final score:
60points
#12
Nautilus
Final score:
46points
#13
Ferngully
Final score:
36points
#14
The White Witch
Final score:
33points
#15
Mothership
Final score:
32points
#17
The Book Oracles
Final score:
26points
#18
Abduction
Final score:
25points
#21
Transcending
Final score:
23points
#25
February
Final score:
21points
#26
Amniotic
Final score:
21points
#27
The Wish
Final score:
20points
#28
Home
Final score:
18points
#29
Swarm
Final score:
17points
#31
Lucid Dream
Final score:
17points
#32
Sunday Afternoon
Final score:
16points
#35
Slipping
Final score:
13points
#36
The Begotten
Final score:
11points
Ozzy Delaney 8 years ago
Just looked at each and every photo you have created and I am in awe of your artistic work, Fantastic photography
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Prashant Karnath 8 years ago
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 8 years ago
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
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Prashant Karnath 8 years ago
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 8 years ago
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
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