Curtis Hughes

Modern Love

The series "Modern Love" delves into the intricate interplay between love, technology, and the ever-shifting society we inhabit. Going beyond mere observation of how dating apps and digital spaces transform human connections, these portraits provoke reflection and contemplation into a world in which dating apps have become common ground for most. By capturing the complexities of modern-day love and its impact on our emotional lives, the photographer urges viewers to critically examine how technology can create positive change in our rapidly transforming world. While documenting couples in their homes, "Modern Love" explores the impact of dating apps on contemporary romance and the delicate nature of human connection in the digital age. In deconstructing the traditional myth of romantic love, the series showcases the diverse range of possibilities and paths to love that exists in our technology-driven era, all at the swipe of a screen.

Opening up and sharing personal stories and experiences with a virtual stranger became an integral part of the online dating process. Through this process, individuals often gained a deeper understanding of themselves and developed a stronger sense of empathy towards others' life journeys. For most individuals, it seems that online dating has offered a connection with others that they believe would be absent if dating apps did not exist.

What was your motivation for documenting relationships that begin online?
"Modern Love" is my personal response and representation of my own love story. In 2012, the world was introduced to online dating in a new and, some would argue, cooler way through Tinder. Since its launch, Tinder has significantly transformed the traditional dating landscape. Moreover, dating apps in general have witnessed a substantial increase in users and continued to gain popularity. It is estimated that in 2021, more than 38% of new relationships blossomed through online dating, and this figure is expected to surpass 45% by the end of 2023.

In late October 2021, I became a part of that statistic when I matched with my partner, Toosy, on the dating application Hinge. We now live together happily in Berlin, Germany. During my time at university, my love for portraiture deepened, as did my fascination with the concept of love itself. It didn't take long for the idea to form in my mind—to document people's online love stories—while my own was still in its early stages. I desired to connect with and understand the journeys of other couples.

People often ask about how I sought to find the couples featured in the series. Ironically, I reached out to find other couples online, via Facebook groups in different countries. When I met Max and Mel, the first couple I photographed, I immediately sensed that this was the beginning of something beautiful.

How has your own experience using online dating helped you with creating this series?
As a self-proclaimed nomad, I've always struggled with the concept of settling down in one place. The idea of long-term commitment and rootedness has often felt daunting. However, through my own experiences on dating apps, I discovered that many others share similar fears and anxieties about life's uncertainties. This realization fostered a deep appreciation for the ways in which modern technologies can bridge gaps and unite people in their shared vulnerabilities.

My personal experience with online dating has played a pivotal role in the creation of this series. It all began when I ventured into the realm of dating websites as a young adult, back in the days of MSN and Bebo. The idea of forging connections in the virtual realm fascinated me and ignited a sense of excitement within. As I witnessed the increasing popularity of online dating among younger generations, I became even more intrigued.

Being someone who craves connection and embraces meeting new people, dating apps provided me with a unique opportunity to explore diverse relationships. They allowed individuals from different backgrounds to come together, transcending geographical limitations and traditional dating norms. I was drawn to the power of these apps to connect individuals who might not have crossed paths otherwise.

How did each couple photographed for “Modern Love” highlight the various ways we experience seeking love through online dating?
By meeting and photographing the couples featured in this series, I have come to understand that the experiences of seeking love online are not too unfamiliar to one another. It appears that the human instinctual desires for searching and finding love are collectively made more accessible through the creation of online dating apps. Each couple in this series shared an openness to meeting someone in an unconventional way.

For those who are more introverted, dating apps have provided a sense of comfort and control, allowing them to choose who they speak to without feeling overwhelmed. This increased confidence has empowered them to meet someone outside of the app. As I began to meet and photograph more couples, a prevalent theme among them was a sense of vulnerability and self-discovery. Opening up and sharing personal stories and experiences with a virtual stranger became an integral part of the online dating process. Through this process, individuals often gained a deeper understanding of themselves and developed a stronger sense of empathy towards others' life journeys.

For most individuals, it seems that online dating has offered a connection with others that they believe would be absent if dating apps did not exist.

Can you share why you have chosen to include screenshots of their potential partner’s conversations?

This was a decision I made early on in the project. As a student, I was always encouraged to consider how my work would be seen and disseminated; would it be seen via a photobook format, perhaps an exhibition? These questions became crucial to me, and I quickly realised the potential power of incorporating screenshots of conversations between the couples. We are all familiar with the layout of a message, whether it's from a dating app or a text message on our smartphones. I wanted that instant recognition, for people to be able to relate.

By juxtaposing a message alongside a portrait of the couple, I wanted to acknowledge the smartphone user and create a merging of the virtual world and tangible reality. How we communicate through messages and how we interact in person can sometimes be two different realities. By showcasing these messages, I believe it adds a deeper dimension, a layer akin to a matrix. This layer exists alongside the delicate and often complex nature of real-life love and relationships.

It's through this visual combination that I aim to evoke a deeper understanding and appreciation of the couples' experiences, highlighting the intersection of virtual communication and the intricate dynamics of genuine human connection.

How do you approach photographing each couple? What factors do you consider when creating a portrait that displays a sense of comfort and intimacy between people?
I'm consistently pondering my approach, and I firmly believe it's one of the most pivotal aspects of being a portrait photographer. "Modern Love" marked my first sustained experience of photographing people within their homes. The openness that people have shown in allowing me into their most intimate spaces has been something I'm truly thankful for. This process has yielded a truly beautiful collaboration between each couple and myself.

Through the work, I have strived to create an atmosphere in which everyone feels in many ways; connected. Before I set up my camera we often talk, sometimes for hours before any picture is taken. I like to play soft music and very often the intimate mood evolves very organically as a mutual trust is built. I will sometimes shift some things around and follow the play of light but more often than not I leave the direction and poses down to the couples as they become more comfortable with me and the camera.

As time passes during the shoot, I sort of fade into the background as they sit or lie together. It's at this juncture that I peer through the viewfinder and capture a fleeting moment. This approach affords each couple space, creating an extended moment in time for them to share. This extended window offers a chance to step away from the pressures of life and connect. Providing this dedicated time and space for them to be present together, secluded from the outside world, has been my way of saying thank you. 

In your discussions with those you have photographed, have you come across any negative repercussions dating apps might have on one's perspective towards dating? Sometimes I wonder if it hinders our abilities to see the beauty in our relationship, since there is a database full of potential matches.
That's a very interesting and thought-provoking question, one that recently arose within my own relationship. Surprisingly, it hasn't been extensively discussed with the couples I have photographed. There's a great book called "The End of Love" by Eva Illouz, where she explores contemporary relationships and how people today often lack the endurance to work through difficulties when they arise. In my conversation with my partner, we pondered the dangers of how disposable individuals have become and how many relationships seem unable to weather challenging and fragile periods.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that dating apps, when used properly, can be wonderful. However, I also believe there's a risk associated with having an app readily available for download within minutes, offering a database of potential matches. Furthermore, there continues to be a stigma attached to finding love online or attempting to seek it there. It used to be more of the norm when websites like eHarmony first emerged, appealing primarily to a mature audience. It wasn't as prevalent among younger generations; it was something we often joked about with our friends, like, "Oh, look, my mum is on one of those 'find a lover' apps."

Since those early days, technology has advanced, and along with it, there has been a growing social acceptance of dating apps and the way people seek love. It's an interesting topic for debate, and I hope to engage in further discussions with more couples as this project continues to evolve.

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