The 24-year-old Kaylee Verschure from Vlijmen is working on a unique art project: a calendar in which a goddess is central every month. Thanks to a contribution from the Erwin Olaf Foundation, she can realize her dream, just from her own house. “The design is in my head, now it’s a matter of bringing to life,” she says.
Together with her father, Kaylee sets up her photo studio. Furniture is pushed on the side, the curtains close and the lamps go on. A model poses in the middle. “Every photo shoot is exciting, because the result often depends on the moment. Sometimes it is ready within an hour, sometimes it takes three hours,” she says.
The project originated from Kaylee’s passion for Cosplay, dressing as characters from games and films, and photographing them. “I came into contact online via social media with models that Cosplay do. For example, most of my models are involved in this project,” she explains.
This Sunday Kaylee is working on the photo for September. “This month is all about a goddess with volcanic forces,” she says. Her model is put down mysteriously, dressed in black, with long nails and red eyes that radiate fire.
The idea of making a calendar stems from her desire to make art more accessible. “A photo on the wall is nice, but a calendar also has a function. People use it daily and watch it every day. I think that is important,” says Kaylee.
De Vlijmense can carry out this project thanks to a price of 1200 euros, awarded by the Erwin Olaf Foundation, named after the deceased top photographer. “I hadn’t actually given myself a chance,” admits Kaylee. “My work is so imaginative and different from what you usually see, but apparently that appealed.”
“I want it to be perfect.”
Since her price win, she has received many responses, especially from classmates and teachers. “I have had a lot of congratulations, that feels very special.”
The coming weeks are still dominated by busy shoots, because two more models have to appear in front of the lens. But the real magic often takes place in the post -processing. “I will certainly spend hours working on that. I work with Photoshop, low by low. I usually spend hours working on one image: the colors, the light, the details. People pay for it, so I want it to be perfect,” says Kaylee.
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The calendar appears in October, but can already be ordered.