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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Rails
This is what I see: The train appears to be really old, and it looks likes it's carrying the people to some sort of an after life. Some have been on the train a long time. The ladies on the right are both wearing white gloves, and the gentlemen on the left (both the one facing forward and the one with his back to the camera), look to be from another time. The little girl on the left seems to be the newest passenger. Now the girl in the middle is a bit harder to place, it looks like she is in a christening gown or a maybe a shroud. The woman in the middle in the is a real trip, It looks like she's floating. She's carrying a lantern, again showing the age of the train (before electricity). Her face, or mask is the hardest thing in the whole photograph. The face of death or a female grim reaper? No idea. The photograph be itself is very well done, tells a wonderful story. It makes you think and use your imagination. My interpretation will be different from everyone else's. Well done!
I would take this photo as though everyone is there to ride the bus and sees things as normal except one person who sees it for what it is so why would they be all dressed the same?
I do believe that this is the grim reaper and it is take your daughter to work day.
I'm a bit confused since every person is wearing so different clothes. Like they are not from the same decade. I guess art is often confusing. It's pretty nevertheless.
They All Left
All I can think of is "poor thing". And I LOVE how the 'golden ratio' concept of the staircase is used in this photo.
My Closet
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!
The Crown
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.
Waking Nightmare
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
The Farmer's Daughter
Ferngully
The White Witch
Mothership
The Book Oracles
Abduction
Transcending
February
Amniotic
The Wish
Home
Swarm
Lucid Dream
Sunday Afternoon
Slipping
The Begotten
Just looked at each and every photo you have created and I am in awe of your artistic work, Fantastic photography
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
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I love her work so much that I had to get a binder for the prints I have bought, in just the past year alone! Her creativity is endless. Absolutely amazing work!
Since you are a fan, have you figured out why she chose to white out the eyes in these photos?since i am a novice with this series . I truly would love to know. This art and these photos are lovely. ^-^
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As a fellow photographer who's been flailing (there's a mouthful) these are so inspiring. The tone, poses, and the way the rooms change, or stay the same as the models change - there's so many stories. Thank you for sharing your work!
Thanks! If you ever need help or have any questions feel free to contact me (I think my email is listed here somewhere)-the struggle is real
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Great ideas but sometimes the elements don't quite seem to connect to a cohesive whole. Maybe because of the very different textures - some costumes element look very plasticky compared to their stunning surroundings. I think with a bit more postproduction these pics could look like a whole. Also: I think the surroundings are so strong that a little less in terms of costumes and people might have been more. Not sure, though. Still: Great project.
You are such an amazing photographer and one of the most imaginative people I've ever heard of. Love your photos.
Your beautifully terrifying photos are like the love child of Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Burton and Terry Gillian's works. I could totally see a bit of them in your works at which it only lose in the translations to the fact it has became yours. The ''abandoned places'' setting is a powerful add to the themes of ''isolation'' that all the pictures already are. The feeling and vibe I had gained from reading some fairy tales like those of ''Christian Hans Andersons'' such as ''The little Match Girl'' and ''Snow Queen'' have definitely came into life here. With all the fun, all the scare,all the fear, the sadness and all the beautiful forgotten things, You just make the little heart of those old fairy tales beat again . Amazing! (I actually have much more things to say).
I really enjoyed looking at these. Creative, interesting, creepy, sad, beautiful and unique! Great job!
What sort of camera did you use to take these shots?? They're amazing;y vivid and every detail is clear! I ask because I have projects to do myself and these images and clarity are a huge inspiration for my own work. Absolutely amazing, great job!!
I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a 16-35mm L lens (always at 16mm)
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Unusual but quite good in the composing of each photo scene. I enjoyed viewing them very much. Thank you & God Bless.
Absolutely phenomenal work. Finally something out of the ordinary.
How much do I love this work? Some of these are just genius. I wish I could own the nude at the bottom of the spiral staircase. Fabulous.
its crazy how There is a NSFW warning that you have to click to bypass. and yet after doing so this Claire Kid person comments negatively on them regarding nudity. XD
Amazing is an understatement. I am blown away by these. I started into photography from Urban Exploration, and it eventually lead to model photography. I have meshed the two together, but never into this perfection! Ahhhh love it.
I'm curious what precautions were taken to protect the models from the more-often-than-not hazards of such close contact with the dirtier abandoned locations. Not as criticism, just curiosity. These are incredible.
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
Load More Replies... I love her work so much that I had to get a binder for the prints I have bought, in just the past year alone! Her creativity is endless. Absolutely amazing work!
Since you are a fan, have you figured out why she chose to white out the eyes in these photos?since i am a novice with this series . I truly would love to know. This art and these photos are lovely. ^-^
Load More Replies... As a fellow photographer who's been flailing (there's a mouthful) these are so inspiring. The tone, poses, and the way the rooms change, or stay the same as the models change - there's so many stories. Thank you for sharing your work!
Thanks! If you ever need help or have any questions feel free to contact me (I think my email is listed here somewhere)-the struggle is real
Load More Replies... Great ideas but sometimes the elements don't quite seem to connect to a cohesive whole. Maybe because of the very different textures - some costumes element look very plasticky compared to their stunning surroundings. I think with a bit more postproduction these pics could look like a whole. Also: I think the surroundings are so strong that a little less in terms of costumes and people might have been more. Not sure, though. Still: Great project.
You are such an amazing photographer and one of the most imaginative people I've ever heard of. Love your photos.
Your beautifully terrifying photos are like the love child of Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Burton and Terry Gillian's works. I could totally see a bit of them in your works at which it only lose in the translations to the fact it has became yours. The ''abandoned places'' setting is a powerful add to the themes of ''isolation'' that all the pictures already are. The feeling and vibe I had gained from reading some fairy tales like those of ''Christian Hans Andersons'' such as ''The little Match Girl'' and ''Snow Queen'' have definitely came into life here. With all the fun, all the scare,all the fear, the sadness and all the beautiful forgotten things, You just make the little heart of those old fairy tales beat again . Amazing! (I actually have much more things to say).
I really enjoyed looking at these. Creative, interesting, creepy, sad, beautiful and unique! Great job!
What sort of camera did you use to take these shots?? They're amazing;y vivid and every detail is clear! I ask because I have projects to do myself and these images and clarity are a huge inspiration for my own work. Absolutely amazing, great job!!
I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a 16-35mm L lens (always at 16mm)
Load More Replies... Unusual but quite good in the composing of each photo scene. I enjoyed viewing them very much. Thank you & God Bless.
Absolutely phenomenal work. Finally something out of the ordinary.
How much do I love this work? Some of these are just genius. I wish I could own the nude at the bottom of the spiral staircase. Fabulous.
its crazy how There is a NSFW warning that you have to click to bypass. and yet after doing so this Claire Kid person comments negatively on them regarding nudity. XD
Amazing is an understatement. I am blown away by these. I started into photography from Urban Exploration, and it eventually lead to model photography. I have meshed the two together, but never into this perfection! Ahhhh love it.
I'm curious what precautions were taken to protect the models from the more-often-than-not hazards of such close contact with the dirtier abandoned locations. Not as criticism, just curiosity. These are incredible.
