It's All a Ruse

It's All a Ruse

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It's All a Ruse
It's All a Ruse
Behind the Scenes
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Behind the Scenes

BTS photos with Anne Marie, in New Orleans.

Michael Ash Smith's avatar
Michael Ash Smith
Apr 16, 2025
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It's All a Ruse
It's All a Ruse
Behind the Scenes
May contain explicit content
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Lately, I’ve been questioning my photography—not just the photographs I make, but the medium itself. There’s a restlessness, a kind of dissonance between intention and outcome, vision and execution. Because of that, I flew to New Orleans to photograph Anne Marie, hoping the change in scenery might spark something or offer some clarity. But the room we used didn’t hold feeling I desired; it was uncooperative, and the shoot itself turned out to be far more challenging than I’d prepared for.

Now, I’m thinking about stepping away from the series format I’ve been using over the years—at least for a while—as well as photography, at least as the primary medium. There’s a pull toward something more uncertain, maybe even chaotic. The truth is, I feel lost, which isn’t new for me, but this time the feeling is sharper. Maybe, right now, I need to sit with the unknown and let the confusion speak louder than the plan.

Who knows what will come of this, perhaps nothing. I’m currently developing and scanning the film and while I’m confident there is “good” amongst the negatives, I would be far more satisfied with “great.” Below you’ll find some iphone photos and video of the session…

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