Photo 1 of Processing the Destination
Processing the Destination
This series documents the progression of one woman's life over two difficult years as she undergoes a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. It invites the viewer into the process by sharing an increasingly common experience that is usually private, personal, and often goes unseen.Processing the Destination
Processing the Destination
As a photographer, I'm strongly attracted to sharing and revealing the parts of life I think are meaningful and important. I am inspired by humanity's resilience, brilliance, and character; especially when cast in the light of our frailty.Processing the Destination documents the progression of one woman's life over two difficult years as she undergoes a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. It invites the viewer into the process by sharing an increasingly common experience that is usually private, personal, and often goes unseen.
Using nothing but a peach backdrop, the color of the original breast cancer ribbon, Processing the Destination explores the notion of bodily invasion and loss, of absence and reconstruction, and of the rebuilding of something broken into something strong. These pictures also tell a story of the relationship between motherhood and the female body, where the 'before and after' images of mother and child represent the extent of time and change that has taken place.
My subject was inspired to capture this period in her life because, when she first discovered she would need the procedure, she saw very little imagery that depicted the reality of what her surgeries would encompass. She found it difficult to find pictures of women with her body type. She felt alone. There were lots of 'before and after' images, but a journey is more than just the beginning and the end of something. It became clear that a project that focused on the scale of the process was necessary.
Breast cancer is frightening and strikes at the core of womanhood. We wanted to de-mystify the experience, reveal the journey, and add another type of face to expand the narrative. We wanted to enlighten people who aren't dealing with this issue and to help those who are know that they are not alone.
Processing the Destination, like my past work, revolves around the human condition. It is an act of empathy and understanding. In this way we can all share in the fear, pain, frustration and subsequent triumph, another fellow human being experienced.
Promotional Photos for Yoga Studio



Photos for an Upcoming Yoga Studio
I had the pleasure of shooting some images for a cool new yoga studio! I'm having fun keeping within a set parameter to be creative and applying my aesthetic.
If you are interested in hiring me as a photographer, please email me or check out some more of my commissioned works.
© Gracie Hagen 2015
If you are interested in hiring me as a photographer, please email me or check out some more of my commissioned works.
© Gracie Hagen 2015
We Are All Strangers Print!
Yay! One of my #WeAreAllStrangers prints arrived safely!!
To purchase yours go to -
www.graciehagen.com/store
IT HAS ARRIVED!
You can have all the lovely faces of his highness, Captain Pancakes, on a shirt, sweatshirt, mug, tote bag, stickers, and many more things!
May all of your items be graced with his presence.
For these lovely items go to -
tinyurl.com/CaptainPancakes