SELF EXPOSED

Kim Bunermann meets Jake Kehar Gill to discuss the art of self-portraiture and the challenges of being both the subject and the photographer at the same time

- Kim Bunermann

As self-presentation has become an integral part of the online digital world, self-portraiture is a topic which seems more relevant than ever. However, the 'selfies' we see usually have a different quality to those visible in previous eras.

Creating images of oneself pre-dates the invention of photography and can be traced back much further into art history, where esteemed artists, such as Rembrandt or Frida Kahlo, created their self-portraits on canvas. Additionally, we might remember how the world of photography was fascinated by the reclusive Vivian Maier's self-portraits, which were only discovered after her death.

Self-portraiture is not only a way to get to know yourself better and learn how to express yourself, it's also a brilliant genre to hone and learn new photographic skills.

That's why many photography courses these days include elements where the students are given self-portrait tasks and coursework. It was and still is a way of expression and creativity.

Today, I'm visiting Jake Kehar Gill in his London studio to find out more about his self portraiture work. Jake is no stranger to the pages of Digital Photographer, most recently having written an in-depth tutorial on how to shoot cinematic portraits with a timeless style back in Issue 269.

Jake Kehar Gill

Jake Kehar Gill is a London-based photographer. He studied art and design at the City of Bath College, followed by photographic arts at the University of Westminster in London and, in 2019, he won the CSR Emerging Talent award from Travers Smith.

On the surface, Jake's work varies between the perimeters of fine art and fashion photography, with an emphasis on the human body. However, it focuses on body, posture and garments, showing that communication is far more complex than we initially perceive it to be.