In a poll conducted by American Photo Magazine, she was voted among the ten most influential women photographers of all times. Critics have described her as one of America’s most interesting portrayers of the human form and she is one of the most sought-after portrait photographers of the world. Joyce Tenneson is one of the most respected photographers in the history of photography and is famous for her signature style which constitutes of powerful, intriguing and ethereal images.

Fascination with the human form:
Tenneson took to photography because of her fascination for the human form – the shapes, the skin, the bodies, the gestures and the drive to bring out the abstract yet the true inner self of the subjects. She says, “I love people and I love figuring out what makes each person unique - what makes them tick.  I love talking with my subjects as I photograph them - we both reveal ourselves and that sharing I think allows a unique kind of collaboration.”

Interest in the female psyche:
This curiosity has led her to photograph countless men, children and objects but her most celebrated work depicts the spiritual journey of women of different ages and nationalities revealing their innermost feelings to the world. Tenneson explores the female psyche in a lot of her work and believes that it has a lot to do with her family. She explains, “I come from a large family of females.  My mother had 8 sisters and I am one of three sisters.  I grew up on the grounds of a convent with 50 nuns as surrogate mothers.  This I think partially explains why I have such a strong connection with and an interest with the female psyche.”

Celebrated publications:
Tenneson shares a very close relationship with her female models - a trait which helps her delve deeper into the hidden recesses of their minds and bring out their true inner self in her pictures. Even though this has been the main theme of most of her photography career, this is most evident in her celebrated book, Light Warriors. The book features compelling portraits of women between the ages of 20 to 50 from different cultural backgrounds. Tenneson has explored this theme further in her latest publication, A Life in Photography which depicts her pained life and her search for self-discovery, shown through a series of self portraits.  

Technique, Vision and Awards:
A unique feature of Tenneson’s photography is the extensive use of mirrors in her photo shoots. According to her, “Mirrors are historically fascinating as props in art - they are more than simple reflections - they are often mirrors of the soul.” Her fascinating technique and unique vision have led to some of the most stirring photographs which have been critically acclaimed and affiliated with prestigious awards.  These include the Infinity Award from the International Center for Photography and "Photographer of the Year" from Women in Photography. However, Tenneson maintains that her relationships mean more to her than any of these awards. She says, “None of my awards mean anything to me.  All I care about is my relationships with people - the close connections I have with the people around me.  That is what is important in life.”

Photography Principle:
When it comes to photography, Tenesson follows one principle - Never do anything that is predictable or a cliché. Her photography is torn between complexity and purity, two facets that allow her to add more depth and probe further to portray her subjects more intimately. She has exhibited her work over a 150 times in galleries across the globe and she continues to combine portraiture and mythology in her work to discover the archetypes of our being.

Photos by Joyce Tenneson | Fotosocial