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.
Laura. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens. Spotted via Nerdcore
Laura. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Johan. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Johan. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Jeanny. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Jeanny. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Marcia. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens
Marcia. Photo credit: Frieke Janssens