I’ll Cry If I Want To

This fashion photography series tells the story of a grungy, sad clown unraveling on her birthday, inspired by the song “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To.” Shot outdoors at night with flash and ambient light, the photos use props like cake, balloons, and a giant mallet to heighten the chaos. Red and blue tones emphasize anger and sadness, underscoring the emotional collapse. Conceptually, the work critiques the pressure to perform happiness in moments when joy is expected, using the clown as a metaphor for societal expectations. Through unhinged expressions and destructive actions, the character becomes a rebellion against those pressures, exposing the tension between outward appearances and inner reality.