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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

#2

They All Left

They All Left

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dora sim
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely love this one. It has so many possible interpretations. Really made me stop and think.

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#3

My Closet

My Closet

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Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

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#4

Unexpected Visitor

Unexpected Visitor

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AmStick
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This picture is very striking to me. I feel a 'carnival' type vibe from it. I'd love to be able to find a large print and be able to have it

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#7

The Crown

The Crown

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cristy marshall
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#8

Waking Nightmare

Waking Nightmare

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Tammy Chapman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#11

The White Queen

The White Queen

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Aegea
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like a wight from Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children!

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#16

World's Biggest Harp

World's Biggest Harp

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CandyCorn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The background is actually quite beautiful. Imagine people way in the future finding these, and putting them in museums?

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#17

The Book Oracles

The Book Oracles

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#19

Bloodclot

Bloodclot

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NWB
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I almost didn't notice the person as the image is so visually interesting it almost doesn't need a person in it. But I do love old bulidngs....

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#20

Them

Them

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Magpie
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother's sewing machine. ...* wanders off into times past, back later*

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#22

Out Of Body

Out Of Body

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#24

The Littlest Dinosaur

The Littlest Dinosaur

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#25

February

February

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#29

Swarm

Swarm

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#30

Nature Vs Nurture

Nature Vs Nurture

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#31

Lucid Dream

Lucid Dream

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#32

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday Afternoon

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#33

Waking Life

Waking Life

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Magpie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see metaphores for grief> pain, balancing act, vulnerablity, ready to fall over but putting on an act of coping.

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#34

Yellow

Yellow

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#35

Slipping

Slipping

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#36

The Begotten

The Begotten

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Ozzy Delaney
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just looked at each and every photo you have created and I am in awe of your artistic work, Fantastic photography

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#37

Television

Television

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