Portraits Through the Plate

Portraits Through the Plate

Lonergan, Ryan

My work is driven by a deep passion for studio portraiture. I invite friends into my creative space, using a 4x5 film camera to transform them into models, despite having no prior experience in front of the camera. This project aims to celebrate the beauty and authenticity of my peers, giving them a unique opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and experience something new. By putting my friends in unique and carefully considered poses, I aim to challenge both their own perceptions of themselves and the viewer’s expectations of portraiture. The goal is to create an environment where they feel comfortable exploring different aspects of themselves, whether it's trying out a new persona, embracing a side they don’t usually show, or experimenting with how they express their identity. The project is as much about the interaction and the trust between myself and my peers as it is about the final image. Ultimately, it’s an invitation to challenge the boundaries of self-perception and experiment with the visual language of portraiture, creating images that bring out the beauty in ordinary people.

2025