Final Project-Shaylee Smith

Brown Paper Bag

Often times we push our feelings aside and we put on this brave face. We pretend that everything is “Okay”, but really isn’t. We judge people when we don’t know what is hiding behind the mask. In this project the paper bag represents the emotion that we feel inside. However, we theoretically put this paper bag over ourselves to hide those emotions. We are afraid of showing our true emotions. I wanted to keep my subjects identity a secret to let their actions speak louder than words.

Body language is a huge element in these photographs because they represent what emotions we show on the outside may not necessarily be what we feel on the inside. If you think about it, we all do this at one point or another. We hide our emotions. We pretend to be strong, courageous and happy, when in reality we are weak, scared, or sad.

Insecurities exist. We all have them. I ended the series of photos with my subject starting to take off the bag. Take the brown paper bag off and let people see your emotions. Let people inside and feel what you feel.