All images by Madre De Luz. Used with permission.
A self portrait is a pathway into a photographer’s identity. It helps us understand how they see, and more so, how they want people to see them. When you blend in the double-exposure technique, it’s no longer a singular visualization, it’s a deep dive into their inner and outer world. Maria Cavazos – better known online as Madre De Luz – is a perfect example of this.
When I first saw Cavazos’ creative self portraits, I was hypnotized by what was before me. It felt like I was in a dream-like state, viewing her life through her own dream-like state. It was giving Inception vibes, and at no point did I feel like I wanted to wake either of us up.
If you look closely at her work you soon realize none of her exposures are a coincidence. There’s clear attention to detail as she shares her story through heritage, family and habitat. In each of her self-portraits, Cavazos seems deeply connected to her environment, and her own sense of self.
She very kindly took some time to speak with me so we could all learn more about her background and creative experience…
Them Frames: Hey Maria! Can you start by telling us a little bit about you? Your background, your personality type and how all of it influences the type of photographer you are.
Madre De Luz: Hi! My name is Maria. I’m 35 years old and I was born in Laredo, TX. I grew up in small towns in California, until I moved to Las Vegas in 2005. I’m a nature lover. A lot of my photography has nature mixed into it.
In 2008 I bought a digital Canon. After a short amount of time with it I came to the conclusion that I didn’t like the quality of the photos. I started playing around with Holgas and Polaroids. I wasted hundreds of dollars on 35mm film, but I feel like I’ve mastered the vision of what I aim to create.
Them Frames: What first prompted you to start turning the camera towards yourself and create self portraits?
Madre De Luz: Who doesn’t like a good selfie? I’ve just learned to make mine a little more personal. I chose to document my life this way. It started a healing process I didn’t know I needed.
Related: How Iness Rychlik Conquers Pain and Insecurity Through Self-Portraiture
Them Frames: There’s a lot of softness and some sensuality in your self portraits; why do you like to create this type of style?
Madre De Luz: My double exposures are usually with nature, a cloud, a pattern, or my family. I am a very sensual person, who tries to be soft. Life is hard these days. I capture moments in where I am most peaceful or trying to get there. It’s a meditation.
Them Frames: What type of impact does years of self portraits have on your self esteem and confidence?
Madre De Luz: Seeing myself from a distance, with different angles and settings has added to my confidence. Being able to create different stories with my images gives me life. It gives me a big boost when I need it.
Them Frames: What tends to inspire your creative ideas?
Madre De Luz: Music inspires me the most. I’ll be listening to a song I’m enjoying and a creative image pops up in my head. I don’t stop thinking about it until I create it. My emotions also inspire me. I capture the most when I’m very sad or very happy. Also taking a self portrait when I’m bored makes me feel like I’ve done something with my time. Ha ha!
Them Frames: If you had to blend a song or album into your self portrait photography, what would it be and why?
Madre De Luz: For the time frame I’m in right now I’d choose In the Moment by RÜFÜS DU SOL 🎶🎶“I’m right where I’m supposed to be
Right here, right now” 🎶 It’s self explanatory 😉
Them Frames: Please finish this sentence: I need photography in my life because…
Madre De Luz: It’s my therapy.
You can see more work from Madre De Luz by visiting her Instagram.
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