Photographer Charles Moriarty has released a photo book with a collection of never before seen images of Amy Winehouse. These photographs were taken in the lead up to the release of her album ‘FRANK’, and have remained unpublished until now.
An online kick-starter was launched by Moriarty, with hopes to round up enough funds to give this project the attention it deserves. The photographers goal has finally been reached, raising more than $21,249. The raw and intimate collection of ‘Before FRANK’ presents Amy Winehouse in her element; walking the streets of London, applying her signature bold pink lips, and smiling cheek to cheek.
The contents of this book includes 50-60 photographs of the singer shot in London and New York in the year of 2003, at this time Amy was 20-years of age and on the verge of fame. Her bold, untouched and confident persona in ‘Before FRANK’ is a refreshing contrast, compared to the images that were released by paparazzi, prior to her passing; her hostile behaviour was documented and exposed to the world in a negative light.
Many glimpses of her personal life shine through in the Oscar winning film ‘AMY’, by Asif Kapadia, but not in the form of these still photographs. It wasn’t until after Charles Moriarty watched this film, that he felt compelled to share these heart warming photographs. He explained in an interview with The Huffington Post, “It was clear to me this side of Amy needed to be shown, that I needed to get them out into the open, and that a book would be the best way to do this.”
He also stated that the photos “are an important part of her life where she’s transforming from a young girl to a recording artist”.
Due to the generosity and loyalty of fans and suporters, we are now fortunate enough to be exposed to the intimate snapshots of ‘FRANK’ from Moriarty’s perspective. All the untold stories and memories that express freedom, joy and youth are all included in this coffee table book, as well as Winehouse’s rise to stardom.
A look into ‘Before FRANK’: