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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
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Rails
Final score:
93points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
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!
Aleshia Tarr 9 years ago
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?
Christian Didonna 5 years ago
I do believe that this is the grim reaper and it is take your daughter to work day.
RELATED:
#2
They All Left
Final score:
78points
Yvonne Bernal 9 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 9 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!
#4
Unexpected Visitor
Final score:
71points
AmStick 9 years ago
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
Susan Forbes 9 years ago
If you go to her website it shows sizes and pricing. The link is at the beginning of the article
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#5
Since The Flood
Final score:
69points
#6
Black Queen
Final score:
68points
#7
The Crown
Final score:
63points
cristy marshall 9 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.
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
It took me a moment to see the figure in the corner. Another grim reaper??
#8
Waking Nightmare
Final score:
62points
Tammy Chapman 9 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
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
The rooms and other backgrounds used in your photographs are pretty wild. I love how you place your characters into these places.
Ivy Lyster 9 years ago
It might not be on purpose, but maybe the photographer wanted it to be like that? It makes an interesting contrast in the photos. I personally like it!
Load More Replies... #10
Sailing Ships
Final score:
56points
Megan Cantwell 8 years ago
I saw this and another you took in that same room and knew they were from JW Cooper!
#11
The White Queen
Final score:
48points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
Oh WOW!! This one should be higher up on the list. Beautiful, eerie, and frighting all at once. Her eyes, the ice, and the darkness on her arms and hands. Her hands look like claws. Frightening, yet beautiful. Love it.
#12
Nautilus
Final score:
46points
Bobbi Newell 9 years ago
Beautiful composition, and I love the expression on her face! More than the makeup, she looks like she got into the headspace of the creature living inside the shell <3
#13
Ferngully
Final score:
36points
#14
The White Witch
Final score:
33points
#15
Mothership
Final score:
32points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
Wow...love the dress. And the character definitely looks alien. Stilts??
#16
World's Biggest Harp
Final score:
30points
#17
The Book Oracles
Final score:
26points
#18
Abduction
Final score:
25points
#19
Bloodclot
Final score:
24points
Ym Vladimir 9 years ago
Where are these taken? They're stunningly beautiful, and incredibly visceral.
#20
Them
Final score:
24points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
The angle of the room is incredible. Both my grandmother and my great-grandmother had those types of sewing machines. The dress is also very old-fashioned. She looks like she's floating, I can't see her feet. Lonely and ??bored??
#21
Transcending
Final score:
23points
#23
The Butterfly Effect
Final score:
22points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
Wow...I love this. I don't know where to start. The color is fantastic, especially the colors of the butterflies. The dress is amazing, the train looks as if it could clothe another 4 or 5 people......lol. The perception is awesome. Stilts?? The background feels as if it is wounded. That may sound strange, but that's the feeling I'm getting.
#25
February
Final score:
21points
#26
Amniotic
Final score:
21points
#27
The Wish
Final score:
20points
#28
Home
Final score:
18points
Tammy Chapman 9 years ago
I agree...despair and grief. Also loneliness, retreat into self. Incapacitated, fearful, inner demons, fetal withdrawal. Mental healthcare needed. In the not to distant past this was what it looked like in my head. I was the woman in the photo. I am very grateful for my psychiatrist. If it wasn't for him, my mind would still be in a place like this. He is awesome doctor. It took forever to find the right one.
#29
Swarm
Final score:
17points
#30
Nature Vs Nurture
Final score:
17points
#31
Lucid Dream
Final score:
17points
#32
Sunday Afternoon
Final score:
16points
#33
Waking Life
Final score:
15points
Sarah Miller 9 years ago
The human body is art. Don't like it? Don't look. Move along troll.
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#35
Slipping
Final score:
13points
#36
The Begotten
Final score:
11points
Ozzy Delaney 9 years ago
Just looked at each and every photo you have created and I am in awe of your artistic work, Fantastic photography
Christian Didonna 5 years ago
Well it not like guys take off most of their clothing in public.>sacasm implied<
arkady brown 9 years ago
It's called art. The human form it art. Have some dignity for it or don't look at it.
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Add New Image
What do you think ?
Prashant Karnath 9 years ago
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 9 years ago
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
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Jennifer Meierotto Stich 9 years ago
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!
Bianca F. 9 years ago
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... 
Charlene Mead 9 years ago
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!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 9 years ago
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...
Katinka Min 9 years ago
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.
Prashant Karnath 9 years ago
Your photos remind me of Guillermo Del Toro's movies... the visual details are very similar.. well done!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 9 years ago
Wow that's a great compliment, I love Del Toro- thank you!!!
Load More Replies... Jennifer Meierotto Stich 9 years ago
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!
Bianca F. 9 years ago
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... Charlene Mead 9 years ago
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!
Karen Jerzyk (Post author) 9 years ago
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... Katinka Min 9 years ago
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.
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