Joyce Tenneson -
"As a portrait photographer, I see flowers not as mere decorations, but as distinctive personalities. When I make a human portrait, I try to discover some inner essence that helps crystallize their uniqueness. I photograph flowers with the same respect."
Joyce Tenneson is one of the most respected photographers of our time and has been described by critics as one of Americas most interesting portrayers of the human character. Tenneson believes, Through a persons face we can potentially see everything - the history and depth of a persons life as well as their connection to a universal spirituality. Tennesons seventh book, Wise Women, a current best seller, celebrates the third phase of the female life cycle.
After completing Wise Women, Tenneson found herself drawn to flowers, a subject that has long held her fascination. Building on her recent experiences, she approached flowers with a new insight: recognizing every phase of their life was fascinating, if we just stopped long enough to really see it. Every day the flowers showed different aspects of their personality as they unfolded, bloomed, and withered on their way from birth to death. Tenneson photographed the blossoms long after they would have been discarded from the vase, discovering extraordinary beauty in their demise. The book, Flower Portraits, the Life Cycle of Beauty, is a visual testimony of Tennesons latest exploration.
Joyce Tenneson was named One of the Ten Most Influential Women Photographers in the History of Photography, in American Photo Magazines recent poll. Her work has graced the magazine covers of Time, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, Premier, Esquire, and New York Times Magazine. Tennesons photographs are exhibited in galleries around the world and are housed in many museums and private collections. She is much in demand as an inspirational lecturer and workshop instructor. Joyce is also the founder of Light Warriors, a mentorship program that helps emerging artists to establish their careers. Tenneson lives and works in New York City.