By K.D. Norris
Selfies can be good; they can be, ah, not so good. But in these times of self- and imposed-isolation, selfies — self portraits — can be a means of communicating one’s place in this strange new world in humorous, poignant and even stark ways.
Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique, of Grand Rapids, in mid-April, created a self-portrait challenge for female-identifying persons which would “inspire … the community to exist in photos.”
Mod Bettie, a studio which specializes in “pin-up and boudoir to professional photos and glamour shots for the whole family,” is focusing its challenge on photos taken by age 18-plus “female identified, LGBQT and non-binary” persons.
“These are wild times,” Elise Kutt, Mod Bettie owner said. “Though things are uncertain and things are stressful, there is one thing Mod Bettie is sure of — We are not alone.”
The goal of the challenge is to “show our resilience and our camaraderie. Community members were encouraged to share their daily routines, whether at work or home or somewhere in between. To show their fears and hopes, how they are being helpful and how they are being supported.”
According to Kutt, the submitted images will be curated in an exhibition and printed in a book that will be for sale with proceeds going to female small business owners, artists and performers affected by the closures.
Mod Bettie studio plans on continuing to host challenges throughout the COVID-19 closures.
“It started when the quarantine started and will continue through May 15, or longer if the quarantine gets extended,” Kutt said.
For more information on the challenge, visit the #squadbettie Facebook page. For more information on Mod Bettie Portrait Boutique visit Modbettie.com.
