In Between Faces – A Film Photography Series

This series is a personal exploration of connection, emotion, and authenticity, captured through the lens of black and white film photography. Each portrait features someone important in my life caught in a moment of vulnerability or playfulness, and whether they are making a silly face or holding a content expression, each image reflects the connection between human and camera, and their willingness to help me achieve a goal.

What makes this series especially meaningful is that none of the people I photographed are naturally comfortable in front of a camera. Their uneasiness added a layer of vulnerability that I wanted to embrace, rather than avoid. These moments, where people allowed themselves to be seen for me even in their discomfort, was the inspiration for the project. The honesty in their expressions—whether awkward, joyful, or quiet—speaks to the trust between us. 

Shooting on black and white film allowed me to strip away distraction and focus on the raw human presence in each frame. It gave me authentic negative film strips of some of the people I love the most, and it allowed for special memories to be created.

This project is a celebration of the people I love and the honest emotions that exist between us. It is a visual journal of closeness, humor, and sincerity—reminding me that the best portraits often happen when we stop trying to pose and simply are.

Morgan Brandt, 2025