Photomanipulation nominee

2020 was a brutal reminder of the devastating effects of ignoring the still stigmatised topic of mental health. I lost both Simon and Conrad to suicide last year. On the 31st May I was consumed with an excruciating sadness. The pain surfaced, together with years of suppressed emotion. Nature, continues to reinforce that change is the only constant in life.

1 - Danger in Deflection Meets Mixed Feelings
"Uprooted by your death, I am struggling to find solid ground"

2 - Uprooted And Fading Meets Heads Or Tails
"Tears run freely. I am reminded I am not in control"

3 - Reign Me In Meets Tapestry Of Life
"Self sabotage still a mystery in its obvious insanity"

4 - Dropping Masks Meets Wild Whispers
"With nothing and nobody to hide behind; 
I strip, layer for layer, dropping the masks, exposing the real me”

5 - Drowning in Decisions Meets Layered Resilience
"Resilience, strength and courage all symbolic of the Protea flower"

A. All self portraits were shot on the 31st May 2020, in Cape Town, South Africa.
B. Each one of the natural elements was shot in Cape Town, South Africa during the Covid -19 lockdown. The individual locations vary.

South African born, Nicole Vittoria de Jager, trained in Fashion Design and spent 20 years in the Film Industry Costume Department before crossing over into photography late 2019.

A story told through eyes in portraiture or spontaneously capturing the unexpected in street photography are both food for her soul. She is driven by moments which stir something deep within. A great passion is working on projects relating to humanitarian and social issues. Her intention is to expose and initiate change through her visuals, in hope of making a difference in the lives of those who do not have a voice.

Nicole has also found self-portraiture to be beneficial in her process of self-discovery and healing.

Nicole’s work has been awarded in the 15th and 16th Black & White Spider Awards, 19th International Photography Awards, 16th Pollux Awards, 17th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, 14th International Color Awards and the 7th Fine Art Photography Awards receiving 3 nominations and 13 honourable mentions. She won 1st and 2nd place in the Segregation & Human Rights Amateur Single category, 1st place in the Segregation & Human Rights Amateur Series Category and 2nd place in the Children Amateur Series category in the 16th Pollux Awards.