There are many indignities to death. For example, the inevitable decomposition of our corpses. We can’t do anything about that, short of pricey cryogenic freezing or professional mummification, but now there is something we can do about those awful gravestone portraits. You know, the oval attachments to the cement slab above your head, the one you — as a corpse — have absolutely no curatorial authority over? Frieke Janssens, the Belgian photographer who brought us disturbing glamor shots of kids smoking, has a new project called Your Last Shot that is exactly what it sounds like.

“As a photographer, I feel that the moment when one reflects about their own death is a precious moment to be shared and portrayed,” Janssens writes by way of explanation. “Why would you have someone else choose a picture for you that you would have untagged yourself from? Your ‘last portrait’ will be finished in porcelain, so that it actually can be used when the time has come. Meanwhile: have a great life.” Indeed! Here are a few people who already forked over $1,060 to make the best last impression. … Read More

“Sandy is a confessional photographer with a thing for body fluids,” Ryan McGinley says in Dazed & Confused Magazine. “Her work is more carefree and loving than [Nan] Goldin and less contrived than McGinley,” burns a Wired writer. I bet if we dug around, someone would eventually compare photographer Sandy Kim to Dash Snow too, on account of the POV vomiting shots and similarly-toned merrymaking. When you’re young, wild, hang with bands (in this case, GIRLS), and are able to attain that elusive balance between living with grimy hedonism and being able to manipulate light so that it falls beautifully on and around exposed breasts, bloody thighs, piles of beer cans, and quiet moments, it’s picturesque. With feelings. But what are they? Here are a few compelling shots from Kim, who recently took part in group shows at New York’s Hole Gallery and TEMP. Feeling anything yet? … Read More