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She shares how synesthesia warps her world.
Photographer Rebecca Storm takes pictures of the things she sees. From the dust on the windowsill to the spilt milk on the countertop, she finds a way to reinvent the mundane as a spectacle. Her work with VICE, DAZED, and online luxury retailer SSENSE directly channel her sophisticated, yet unusual view on society as a whole.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Storm nursed her interest in art throughout school which eventually bloomed into a passion for photography. Once she began to explore it, she found that she was experiencing the world in a completely different way from her peers. The condition responsible for this was associative synesthesia. Artists like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams credit this perceptual phenomenon for their ability to “see sounds.” Storm’s own variety led to a different sensory pathway that can be seen — and even felt — in the imagery she produces.
She gives us a bit of perspective on how her heightened sense adds dimension to her still-life photos and how she uses it to her advantage.
Nov 28, 2022?
I’ve been documenting my life in some capacity since I was pretty little. Bringing a disposable camera to summer camp was the most exciting thing about going away. I started to take it more seriously after university, where I studied drawing and painting. When I was procrastinating and avoiding painting, I’d take photos of all the filth in the shitty apartment I lived in and that made me realize that I had a stronger connection to photos than paint.
When did you first encounter the concept of synesthesia? How did you realize that you were experiencing it?
I have associative synesthesia, so I don’t really experience it in a visual capacity, though there can be visual triggers. I’ll get a weird taste in my mouth when I read certain words, or my back teeth will hurt if I see certain sequences of numbers. I always thought that I was just overly sensitive until my doctor suggested the possibility of synesthesia to me. It’s difficult to obtain a professional diagnosis since the symptoms don’t typically interfere with normal daily functioning, which is also why it’s not listed in the DSM-IV or the ICD.
What is some work you’re the most proud of?
I’m definitely very critical of all the work I do, but I love the way the Synesthesia story that I shot for SSENSE turned out. But whenever something is finished, I can’t help but think about all the ways in which it could have been better.
Can you describe how the shooting process is different from inanimate objects versus fashion editorials?
Shooting inanimate objects is much more relaxing. I don’t love having people on set watching me work, but it comes with the territory. Sometimes having a big team can be really rewarding when you achieve what you set out to do. I often find that portraits don’t say as much as objects do — objects provide a far more compelling narrative about people, I think.
How do you feel about the trend of everyone becoming “photographers” because of access to phones with great picture quality? Has our visual literacy suffered or improved because of this?
I think that as our visual literacy has improved, older and more traditional visual aesthetics have lost its meaning. I’m excited when I come across someone’s Instagram and their iPhone aesthetic is so off and unusual, and they’ve developed an entire personal brand around that. I think that’s exciting. I’m more intrigued by that than someone who has spent several thousand dollars on a digital camera and is documenting their trip to the Grand Canyon.
What’s in the near future for you? Any projects that you’re excited to be working on?
I’m embarrassed by how much color, I wear but I can’t really help it. I saw some behind-the-scenes footage recently where I was wearing my favorite yellow pants (from UNIF!) and it seemed like I was trying to steal the show. I usually buy vintage and then alter it, or I’ll make my own clothes. I don’t usually like wearing the same thing as everyone else, and I really like sewing.
Sex & Dating?
WE NEED ANSWERS Miu Miu shoes I have from the ’90s, which are so comfy.
What’s in the near future for you? Any projects that you’re excited to be working on?
I’m shooting some new still life images for a group show in Montreal running mid-June to mid-September, which I’m pretty excited about. I’m really hoping for a solo show sometime in the next year, but that seems like a pretty big dream.
- Photographer
- Rebecca Storm/Ssense
