Amoureux Zine Issue 02: "Coming of Age"

AMOUREUX • ISSUE NO.2

COMING OF AGE

Cover Page By Chloe Luters

DECEMBER 2020

do what you love.

Chioma Ejimofo

Marion Kamara

Letter From the Editor

Hello all! I know it's been quite a while since our last issue, so if you're reading this I want to thank you for sticking around. I'd also like to thank the Amoureux Team: Aiyanah Barnes, Chloe Luters, Kyle Miller, Mariana Marquez, Rose Dixon Poole, Fred Whitley, Kyra Ten-Brink and Bow Young.. Coming of Age is a special time for everyone and I hope this issue makes your coming of age even more so!

xo Marion Kamara

Coming of age crowd

by Holly. B

Brooke Olson

‘coming of age crowd’’ acquaintances and friends of convenience will fade like light below the horizon at dusk, but those who are truly important will remain. these are the friends to treasure and build new memories with- memories that will defy life’s struggles and bind you through every problem you may encounter.

it’s vital to remember who was there for you in times of need: who had your back and whose backs you hadfriendships are not one-way streets. in your journey to the end-goal, don’t lose sight of your starting point, and who was beside you cheering as the starting pistol was fired.

let's always be fifteen

Nina Parrotta

let’s always be fifteen ariana eftimiu but in all the movies, all the songs, all the stories they talk about the kind of love you have when you’re young and everyone who’s already transcended into an adult mindset laughs and reflects and tells you it’s all just a phase something about hormones something about being a helpless teenager clinging to any sort of sensation that makes their lungs feel empty and their heads burn and their legs want to race you’re only so young it doesn’t mean much you take it too far why do we only love like it’s the last time we will when we’re barely fifteen why do we make love a passerby as the years continue forward he texts me hello “i want to give you the universe,” i reply. why do we stray from our feelings why do we not love with every inch of every fiber of our beings why do we not love as if it is the sole reason for existence the reason we do not shatter and fall to the floors every second every moment something happens that pulls at our heartstrings why do we make it grow gentle why do we pour it through glass canisters soft why do we dull why do we coat our insides with glue why do we forget why do we forget why do we forget what it feels like to be hopelessly in love and willingly miserable and intoxicated for love let us always be fifteen…..or at least let us never forget how much we meant tosomeone when we were

Nostalgic Nostalgic Haze Haze with Chioma Ejimofo

First, how would you describe your style! \"I think I would describe it as nostalgic and hazy! I've always liked capturing things that feel kind of sentimental, dreamlike, and sometimes surreal, and my photography style kind of reflects that.

"Ah yes, what do you think inspired this style?

"A lot of my inspiration comes from films I used to watch when I was younger! I was really obsessed with the style of Sofia Coppola, especially the way she captures the fleeting beauty of being young and memories so well. My other source of inspiration is from dreams I've had or places I've been to, I really love the spontaneous nature of seeing things and the way our brains reinterpret them. I love looking at old music videos, indie movies, and film photography and I think that really influenced the style I have now."

I absolutely love Sofia Coppola and I think you capture her style really well? What would you say are your favourite movies?"

So hard to choose but some of my favourite films are Mysterious Skin, the soundtrack and visuals are beautiful. Coraline, Blue Valentine, Ex Machina, Marie Antoinette, Cinema Paradiso and Hereditary!"

How did you first get into photography?

I got into photography kind of randomly! I was at university, and I started going on walks and noticing there were some really pretty images worth capturing, so I decided to bring my camera along with me. I started following photographers on Instagram with aesthetics that I really loved, I had a lot of ideas for portraits and series that I wanted to create too, so even though I was nervous I decided to try it out myself.

Ah, that’s super cool!You do a lot of intimate closeup portraits, is that on purpose or for any specific reason?

"I think it's for a couple of reasons, a lot of the people I've worked within the past are close friends of mine, so we're all put in a space of trust that allows us to be vulnerable and personal when shooting together. And in general, I really love people and the theme of identity. There's so many stories to tell behind someone's facial expressions or the way they dress or move, and with my closeups, I hope it gives a short story or is relatable somehow to whoever sees it. A lot of my portraits ideas come together as we're shooting, so I don't think I always aim for them to be intimate but when you and the people you're shooting with are comfortable, it can definitely become that way which I enjoy!."

What’s one thing, if anything you want people to get out of your work?

"I think it's for a couple of reasons, alot of the people I've worked with in the past are close friends of mine, so we're all put in a space of trust that allows us to be vulnerable and personal when shooting together. And in general I really love people and the theme of identity. There's so many stories to tell behind someone's facial expressions, or the way they dress or move, and with my closeups I hope it gives a short story or is relatable somehow to whoever sees it."

If you could meet the supposed creator of the universe for 10 minutes, what would you ask them?

"Ooh, this is a tough one! It sounds silly but I'd probably just ask what they think about the human race and life in general? I don't think I'd want to know the meaning of life or anything, I'm okay with that being a mystery. I just want to know how we appear to them and if it would ever actually be possible to make the world a really good and peaceful place. I'd also ask them to manifest the perfect playlist specifically for me with songs that don't exist yet, and then just float in space and vibe for a bit"

Where do you plan to go with your work? What’s your main goal per say?

"One of my main goals is to to take my work abroad eventually! I'd like to collaborate with artists in other countries, and shoot pics with new people and tell different stories through my photos. Even though film is one of my main passions, and I would ideally love to be a director one day, it would be really cool to be able to mix the two art forms together for something. Another huge dream of mine would be to showcase my work at exhibitions, and also make a space for young artists and creatives where they can freely present their work without feeling limited or nervous. I'm looking forward to seeing where my work takes me and hopefully others enjoy seeing it too!"

Gold in the sky Gold in the sky Gold in the sky Gold in the sky Gold in the sky Gold in the sky

By Shira Zur

Chloe Luters

“My life is made up of a million stories, and you are just one of the million.”

The moment the words left his mouth, they arranged themselves in gold lettering across the black sky, shining among the stars. If she reached her hand out far enough, she could touch them, stir the words around the black pot. He didn’t turn over to meet her eyes when he spoke, but continued to stare up at the sky, arms folded behind his head, so his hair didn’t get wet from the grass. He hated when his hair was wet. She knew him so well; she liked to imagine that one day, he’d invite her inside of him, and she’d sit in a little pocket in his chest, right next to his heart. And then, when she couldn’t fall asleep, she’d stay very still and listen to his inhales and exhales, timing her breathing to the beat of his heart.

She looked back up at the sky and reread the gold words over and over again until they all blurred together into a bright, golden circle. Suddenly, a match of anger was ignited inside of her body, deep down in her stomach. The flames rose higher and higher up her chest, traveling through the rest of her body, the scorching tips twisting and turning inside her throat. She wanted to hurt him back. The flames climbed inside her mouth, ready to form into any word, the fireballs ready to be thrown, and they were hot inside her mouth, and they stung, and she was ready, and she was sweating, and she knew that soon it would be too late, that the flames would die, and she her mouth slightly, the light from the flames streaming out unevenly like a single flickering lightbulb in the darkness.

She quickly closed her mouth. What could she say? That her life was the opposite, made up of a million stories about him, and only one of the million was about her? That she liked it that way?

She swallowed, the flames slowly dying, hissing inside of her throat and then her chest and then her stomach until they found the match they came from and turned black.

The night was still young. She could tell him anything. She wanted to say everything but was afraid she’d say nothing. She let the silence take over as it always did. They continued lying on the wet grass. She imagined herself turning the doorknob that stuck out of her chest and opening the door and letting herself out of her own body, her soul floating upwards, into the air. Up from the night sky, she’d watch her opened-up body, lying there, motionless, next to him. Is that what other people see? She thought, and nodded to herself, answering her own question. That’s what other people see. A boy and a girl, lying in silence on the wet grass, watching their gold words painted across the black sky.

HUMANS' CURSE

By Isabelle DC

Inny C.

I thought growing up Was a curse, Bestowed upon humans as revenge for Wrongdoing.

I thought Coming of age should be immediate, And innocence lasts forever.

I might be right, think, When innocence dies with death, And your age seems fitting as you age, And you've grown up and problems Multiply and grow larger until You think you must have been Cursed To have been subject to Growing pains and lost memories As you come of age

"Film 'n' Friends" | Interview with Evie Josette

So first, in as many or as little words as you want, describe yourself and/or your work!"

I am a 17-year-old going into my senior year of high school. My friends would refer to me as a resilient person because when faced with hardships, I am able to think rationally and take control of my feelings. My photography is slowly transitioning into becoming more emotional, as I am beginning to take photos that have more of a meaning behind them to me!"

What would you say sparked that change in your work?

"I bought a film camera at the suggestion of one of my friends at the beginning of quarantine and it automatically clicked in me that this is the artform I love. I began with just taking photos of my parents and of places around my neighborhood, but the patience that shooting film has taught me to have has helped me so much. It feels to me as shooting film feels more genuine than shooting digital, which allows me to show myself more through my work!"

What or who has inspired you thus far?"

"My friend Athena, @goldrosecrown on Instagram, is a big inspiration for me, as she was the first person in my real life that I had seen shooting film. It was inspiring to see another girl in film photography that was my age and becoming immensely successful. Alongside that, all of my friends in general are a big inspiration for me. They are almost always the focus of my work, and they are always supporting me and hyping me up when I begin to feel down about my work. I have truly been gifted with the greatest friends in the world and they inspire me so much"

That’s absolutely beautiful and so heartwarming to hear!! What hopes/ goals do you have for your work?

"My ultimate goal is to be a photojournalist as my career. I want to travel around and take photos of the world and write about current events and important topics. Writing is my second passion, so to combine them as my career would be a dream come true. As for short term goals, I hope to have my photos featured in more publications and to become more well known in the film photography community here on Instagram!"

Speaking of film, how do you find it differs from digital photography?

"Film photography feels as if its more in the moment. You can't double-check to make sure your photos are coming out the way you want, you can only hope and wait. To me, this makes the photos feel more genuine. Every photo is taken with thought. Digital gives me an instant gratification, but I don't find as much joy in it anymore as I used to.--"

"-It puts me at ease during a shoot on film to not have the photos directly in front of me as I'm taking. I'm less critical of myself shooting on film."

What tips, if any, would you give to someone who’s just starting out with film?"

My biggest tip is don't spend a lot of money on a popular and fancy film camera.

You can get cheap point and shoots at Goodwill or on Depop that will work just as well as an expensive camera.

"As someone who shoots a lot of film, I definitely agree! Now for a wild card question: If you had ten minutes to speak to the hypothetical creator of the universe, what would you say/ask them?

"Oh girl, I would ask why the universe will give me a week of solid bad luck every couple of months. Literally, every couple of months I will have a week where every bad thing that could possibly happen to me will happen. It's RIDICULOUS" I can definitely relate! What, if anything, do you want people to take away from your work??"

I want people who see my work to start to romanticize their own lives as much as they can. even something as simple as getting coffee and spending the day at the park with your friends (which is an activity that has filled my entire schedule this summer) can feel as though you're living in a movie. "

1.

I’m glad I don’t have a microphone, aren’t you?

It feels so good to sit on the ground

long arms stretched out behind us

toes and tongues like garden hoses.

I love you like I love evenings

and be glad I haven’t learned yet how to love like a poet

even though I was writing you sonnets before we met.

On the way to Olympus we start to get scared

and then we start to burn up as we knock against its base I want to say we’ll never make that mistake again but

Taking a Minute to Love You Written By Fig DePaolo

You know how wanting is.

Half of a good thing isn’t ever enough.

2.

Every morning I tell god hello

and every evening I say goodnight

one day god will ask me if I want more than two eyes to see you by

more than two ears to hear you with

and I’ll learn, then, how churches are built.

3.

At home before the party I feel like a lizard whose tail has fallen off

On the way to the party I look at the street lights like an electrician Outside the party I feel like a lizard whose arm has fallen off At the party I look at the kitchen lights like an electrician After the party I vote on rivers with flat stones

Once you get here we can get swept away.

Nina Parrotta

nico y b le . n i

esu de j s

denim bra

Keta Tughushi

denim brain thin seams hold the brain together i can’t hate all the things sewn so closely to me blueness overwhelms all the cashmere all the silk i wonder if i’ll ever see past it

Keta Tughushi

when i drown i sink to the bottom denim weighs me down dragging me further with pressure the seams break black paint gushing out of cheap pockets burning the skies

materialism consumes me it eats me alive i thought i could live in a paper bag my hidden needs control my most powerful expressions deepdive into dirt feeling worms on my neck when i finally reached the cave i realised i never wanted this remnants of denim nothing dull will shine everything will be blue

Interview with Tanisha Claudae

On Beauty, Diversity and Privilege

In as many or as little words as possible tell me a little about yourself and your work!?

"My names Tanisha ClaudaÊ, I'm currently 16 years old and I am a black female photographer from the UK. I like to mainly shoot portraits editorially as that’s the where I am most able to explore my creativity within my work. I love and do my best to highlight the important theme of diversity throughout my body of work to show the beauty in all my models. This is one of the reasons my work is so important to me especially as a young black woman. I like to see the representation of women of colour and I do my best to represent that in my photography."

How did you get into photography?

"So, from a young age I was always into art and drawing, but then my parents brought me a little camcorder and I was constantly filming and snapping pics.

From the age of 12, they gave me a Fujifilm FinePix camera and from there my passion grew. I started to constantly annoy them and take pics of my family members. They then saw how serious I was about it and when I was 13 they got me my first Nikon DSLR and I haven’t put it down since - that’s where my passion for storytelling and capturing portraits took place."

What would you say makes your work stand apart from others??

"For that question i’d come back to the fact that i’m really privileged to be able to photograph people from diverse backgrounds but moreover in a captivating way.

Every photo has a story behind it but i love even more the power of interpretation and how others may resonate with that story."

Would you say that a lack of diversity is a problem in the editorial field?

"Most definitely! Stereotypically speaking within the media industry the majority of models used editorially are white. I feel with my work l do my upmost to showcase people from all diverse backgrounds because I feel it’s important to celebrate and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to represented.

Especially in being behind the lens as a black female photographer that in itself is unique."

Awe I love that so much! What goals and aspirations do you have for your work?

"My goal is that I continue to make work that not only pushes my confidence in expressing my creativity visually but, to also encourage more people to be comfortable in their own skin/identity when I capture them."

If you could do a shoot with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

"Hmm, that’s a hard one. I’d probably choose SZA or Solange. I just love their music and their sense of style and I feel like I’d love to capture that."

How, if at all, has your style developed over time??

"I definitely feel like every time I shoot I get a grasp of my developing style and it’s exciting to see how far this photography journey has gone. For example, I remember being too shy to even ask anyone to take a photo. Now especially with lockdown and everything, my creativity and drive are so much stronger. I just want to see how much further my style can develop.

I pretty much started off doing family portraits, passport photos and documentary style photoshoots to build up my confidence around my camera. But my main focus is editorial and portraiture now so I’m excited to see how I develop my style down that route as well !"

I noticed that you shoot primarily women, is that a stylistic choice or just a coincidence??

"I get that question a lot. I would say a bit of both I like to be able to show women in the opposite light to society’s perspective of us. They should be able to do this not only to themselves but to others around them. In the media, we are usually objectified and shown in a provocative light. My photographs show the opposite a space where women can be comfortable with themselves and I’m proud of that."

What advice would you give to upcoming, particularly women, photographers??

"I would say to just keep pushing and stay encouraged because breaking the stereotype of a white male narrative for a photographer is hard work but we are just as capable!"

Ah okay, last question! What, if anything, would you want people to get out of your work?

"I want people to feel included and represented by seeing such diverse narrative within my work and in turn be mote confident to express themselves."

Check out Tanisha's work @tanishaclaudae_photos

Coming of Age: A Fashion Story Written By Mariana Marquez

Coming of age: the glory days of heartbreaks, friendships, and most importantly fashion! When you’re watching a coming of age film, what do you notice about each characters style? It's usually a big, revealing part of the movie and each character's personality. In Perks of Being a Wallflower, for example, the tux Charlie is seen in shows that a part of him is growing up.

Another example would be The Edge of Seventeen. Nadine's famous blue, red, orange, and white striped jacket was iconic and critical to her character development. With that being said, I asked some of my friends what they would wear for their coming of age film.

Natalie's Style

Nathalie said she would wear a thick, white turtle neck under all her shirts as her signature look. Over her turtleneck, she would wear an oversized shirt with a funky pattern, mom jeans, and doc martens as her shoes.

Elizabeth's Style

Another of my friends, Elizabeth, mention her closet being based off the anime sailor moon. She told me she would wear a long blue dress with a cute white shirt underneath. Elizabeth would wear red sandals with a red hair bow wrapped around her hair. Both of these outfits go to show that even if your outfits don’t show a big meaning, you can always have an iconic outfit people will remember.

Finally 17, A Playlist

Growing up is hard! Let's make it a little easier with some good tunes.

Marion Kamara

New Flesh by Current Joys

The Love Club by Lorde

Heaven or Las Vegas by The Cocteau Twins

Show me How by Men I Trust

Good Days by SZA

Jealous by Eyedress

Youth by Parks, Alleys & Squares

This Charming Man by The Smiths

Endorphins by Tobi Lou

Blushing by Between Friends

Saturday Night by HUNNY

Midnight LOve by Girl in Red

COMING OF AGE IS A WHOLE LOT EASIER IF YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE AROUND YOU WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE YOUR BACK. SO, IF YOURE EVER IN NEED OF THAT SOMEONE:

US/CANADA CRISIS HOTLINE: TEXT HOME TO 741741

Kyle Miller

Thank you!

AMOUREUX • ISSUE NO.2

COMING OF AGE

Be on the lookout of Issue 03 @amoureux.zine on Instagram!

JANUARY 2021

Tanisha Claudae