A picture is worth a thousand words. 


One image can communicate a multitude of sentiments. For example, a photo of a landscape can immediately reveal a setting, time of day, colors, objects, spatial relationships, and enough information that would otherwise require a thousand words. Some images, like diagrams, are intentionally descriptive: they are produced for informational purposes. On the other hand, a portrait— a painted portrait, a photographed portrait, a self-portrait— is covertly descriptive. Your family’s Christmas card, for example, communicates the relative age of your parents and siblings, the amount of immediate family you have, the photographer your family hired, where you live, what you wear, how close and comfortable each of you are around each other. A selfie, a digital self-portrait, also discloses personal data without any words or numbers. While some images overtly broadcast technical information, other images discreetly store emotional information that is better left in a nonverbal, unwritten, visual form. 


The medium in which an image is presented also reveals information. A medium such as an iPhone screenshot typically captures an informative image. While one might screenshot a receipt for book-keeping, one wouldn’t consider taking a Polaroid photo of a crowded balance sheet. On the other hand, film as a medium connotes a certain preciousness: the user sacrifices a frame of film to generate a physical memory of the moment he or she is experiencing. An Instagram post as a medium discloses that the author wants its subject to be shared publicly. In essence, a medium is also worth– if not thousands– a couple hundred words. These mediums also establish time. No photo taken on an iPhone can pre-date 2007; photos taken on digital cameras rarely pre-date the 80's. 


Given the number of ways in which images can nonverbally communicate thousands of words, it’s also interesting to consider the amount of messaging available in juxtaposing different image mediums from different time periods and intersecting that with other forms of media, such as music.


This collaboration explores different ages and forms of media, from dated film pictures to Polaroid formats to contemporary digital masterpieces. Further, the artwork reconciles photographic media with a period album cover. Lastly, Dea and Campbell&Kramer tease the idea that if a picture is comparable to a thousand words, then a portrait could be comparable to a poem. Some images provide no relevant expository information, but they reveal emotional, subjective, and sensual details. 


We continue exploring the informational and emotional power of images through our interview with Dea Avdulla. The star influencer has developed an original and extremely covetable aesthetic through her use of period photography tools that create images reminiscent of the 2000’s. 


Let’s get to know Dea.

 

 

C&K: 

What inspired you to become an influencer?


Dea: 

Posting always came super natural to me. My old Instagram (@official_dea_) has all of my posts where I was in my Tumblr era where I edited collages together and constantly made sure to post daily updates.

I’ve always had a love for photography, and Instagram was the easiest app for me to display that love. During Covid, my junior year of high school, I had an unlimited amount of free time and decided I better take advantage of it. I started posting on my feed daily and began growing as I posted pieces that I purchased on Depop and thrifted. The algorithm was on my side at the time as each of my photos had such a high reach. It all felt so surreal. It was everything I could’ve dreamed of. Being able to share my love for fashion and photography all in one while gaining the best fan base really kept me motivated. 


C&K: 

In your words, how would you describe your aesthetic? 


Dea: To be honest I wouldn’t say I have a specific aesthetic. I wear what I love, and I wear pieces that push me out of my comfort zone. I’m so lucky to be able to work with so many brands that have such a variety of styles and aesthetics, allowing me to express myself differently each day. That’s the best thing about fashion. You don’t need to have one aesthetic. I always get asked this question, and I truly do not know how to answer it. Each day I am able to wear a new outfit and put on a different persona. Fashion has allowed me to gain confidence within myself since I’m able to explore such unique styles and pieces.


C&K: 

To what people/places/brands/artists do you attribute your inspiration for your image?


Dea: 

Every single day I am inspired by 14 girls that live around the world that I was able to meet online. These girls feel like my sisters and, although I haven’t been able to meet all of them, their presence online and within our group chat has helped me navigate the world of influencers tremendously. 

Together the 15 of us have a conjoined account called @1nternet.gf in which we post photos that are extras and bts of photos that we would normally post on our personal accounts. Each of us have our own styles that reflect off of one another. Just like how pins on your Pinterest board inspire new outfits, these girls each put on their own outfits, and I will reflect on what I love and get ideas for my own images. Along with being inspired by each of them everyday, I am able to have a support group online that has allowed me to feel comfortable and at peace with asking questions I would otherwise be afraid to ask. It’s hard learning how to navigate your presence online especially since there is no schooling or way of learning most of the information needed to be a content creator. 

 

C&K: 

You’ve been able to craft a very digital and almost nostalgic image that older Gen Z can recognize from growing up in the 2000’s. What media— TV shows, movies, music, magazines— have left the most impactful impression on you and your style? 


Dea: 

Ever since I was little I would grab my mom‘s Canon digital camera out of her hands and take a photo of anything I could find. At the age of six I was able to navigate the camera and take a photo of my family that would come out crystal clear. My love for digital cameras has always been one that has stemmed from growing up and watching tv shows and movies that included these cameras. At the age of 10 I’d always make sure to pick up a Tiger Beat magazine and get so excited to cut out images and hang them up on my wall. Photos of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez that were taken on digital cameras were ones that I viewed daily and admired. 


C&K: 

What messages are covert within your image? What messages do you intend to communicate to your following? 


Dea: 

This may be one of the most important questions asked within this interview. It’s interesting going about this as a content creator who has honestly questioned this herself. Each day, I’m creating images and posting them online for others to see, and they don’t have the backstory or knowledge of what went into each image. Social media is not real life. And at the end of the day, I forget that as well. Comparison while scrolling through my feed is very real and difficult to overcome. 

I hope that when my followers view my images, they notice my confidence within myself and the love I have for what I do. I wouldn’t be expressing myself daily without them, and I am so thankful for this.

Following and surrounding yourself with confident and loving people has truly made a difference within my life and what I view online. I try to stay true to myself within what I post and I hope my followers recognize that.


C&K: 

What do you imagine your career trajectory to look like?


Dea: 

Every day I wonder what my career trajectory will look like. It’s honestly scary having a job that isn’t super reliable in terms of having it always be a career. I am currently in school, entering my sophomore year of college as a marketing major. Although it isn’t something I am super passionate about, I am hoping to graduate, get my degree, and then put all of my focus on my online presence. Being a first generation of immigrant parents going to college was a decision I made easily. I knew I would have to put my attention towards my education while focusing on Instagram on the side. I hope within my future I am able to expand to other platforms such as TikTok and create a podcast of my own which is something I’ve always wanted to do. Although I don’t know what my career trajectory will look like being at the age of 19, I hope it’s one where I am happy and being able to create content I thoroughly enjoy.


C&K:

Where are your favorite places to find unique clothing pieces?


Dea:

Savers, a local thrift store, is a place where I have been able to find some of my favorite closet staples. An apple red pair of Coach kitten heels are ones I wear every single day that I thrifted last year in my exact size. Thrifting is truly addicting and allows for you to find unique clothing pieces you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. 


C&K: 

Who do you look up to as a style or cultural inspiration? 


Dea: 

Dua Lipa is one of my favorite artists who expresses herself amazingly within her style and music. Dua Lipa is also the same ethnicity as me. We are both Albanian and very proud to have immigrant parents who decided to raise us in foreign countries. Anytime I watch an interview with Dua, I am always amazed by her presence and by the way she carries herself. She is such a style icon. She’s always got vintage Versace pieces that are to-die-for. Dua is constantly posting on Instagram photos of her life and outfits that she wears, and I take such inspiration from what she posts. She is definitely someone I would love to meet and have a conversation in Albanian with. “Te dua shume” is an expression in Albanian which means I love you so much, and it's one I always tend to comment on her photos. She is truly an inspiration to me, from her music to her style to her attitude, and I think she does a good job reflecting her talent and values through her presence online and in person

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