More Portraits of Agoraphobia: The experience of being photographed....

» bellspirit - The experience of being photographed....

I'd like to make this post about the experience of being photographed, as an agoraphobic.  (For those of you reading this who don't know me, my name is Robyn and I'm the one in the photo with the long blonde hair, holding the little bird statue).

First of all, I have to say how impressed I was by Corinne, by her professionalism, her kindness and respectfulness... she was very sweet and it was a great pleasure to meet her!!

As far as being photographed... I never thought of my space, as an agoraphobic, as being any different from anyone else's space because interior space is important to everyone, and most people have objects, chachkas, things that mean something to them around their homes.  Perhaps because agoraphobics spend more time in their homes, it might seem as if our interior spaces have more meaning than most people's do, but I'm wondering if that is true.  Some of the photographs Corinne has taken... one man had practically nothing in his home, it was so stark.  That one stood out in my mind so much.

I hope that my space didn't give a false impression of what all agoraphobics' interior spaces are like.  Even before I became agoraphobic, I had cats and lots of objects around me of significance, just as I do now.  

I did really like the photograph Corinne took of me, but it had a feeling that I don't feel about myself... perhaps it was her perception of me as an agoraphobic.  Although it was a beautiful image, it was a bit haunting, dark, somber. I do have my somber moments, but... as beautiful as her work is, I feel that the photograph, so dark, didn't represent me as much as it might have represented what Corinne imagined my life to be?  I feel much more light in my life... mine is not such a dark world clinging to objects for comfort... but that is what I would see in the photo she took of me if I didn't know me.  I wished so badly that we had taken some photos outside because I have a very strong connection to nature and love being outside... I just can't get too far from home.

Anyway... I did enjoy meeting Corinne very much, the experience of being photographed and I think this project has a great deal of significance, as it helps shed light upon those of us who not many people are aware of.

Thanks Corinne!!!!!!! And thank you Katherine for hosting the article and photos!!

Robyn

-- posted by bellspirit