Focus Friday
BLOG + VLOG of AUTUMN THEODORE PHOTOGRAPHY
How long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do?
That's a tough question to answer, because I feel like the lead-up to being a "professional" photographer has been years. Where does one draw the line between critiquing iPhone photography and editing in Lightroom? I've been taking photos ever since my parents showed me what a camera was, but I suppose my first foray into the world of DSLRs and detachable lenses was about 16 months ago. From there, it's been a nearly insatiable addiction. What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? It is often someone's face when they are laughing. I think there's a fair amount of research on why this sight is so pleasing to humans, but in particular for what I do, I feel as if it's one of the rare moments where a subject isn't concerned with "how they look," which typically results in a more generically photogenic, and pleasing shot. In our world of Photoshop and Facebook it is incredibly difficult to ask someone to appear natural. We're all aware, so hyper-aware of how we look and compare ourselves to others constantly, that to see someone have an unconscious response to a word, phrase, or joke, and capture that, is perhaps the only real thing left to photograph anymore. When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did get get past it? Ah, I am frustrated almost every time I edit my photos; the lighting wasn't good, that photo is blurry, there's someone in the way, etc. Put bluntly, this is why I almost always shoot with "burst" on. I don't trust myself to take good shots. I only believe that if I take enough, a few will come out. The locations and places I find myself into to take photos are often quite genuine, but it is often the technology, or my inability to understand the technology, that gets in the way of capturing the truth of the situation. This, however, is compared with the nearly flawless photos that are displayed to us on the Internet every day; a very difficult trophy to compare our own work to. Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) I like to imagine that my best photographs are simply stills from a movie that has never been made. Thus when I look for inspiration for my photography, it is as much to look at what happened before and after the photo as it is the moment the shutter clicked. What's something you haven't yet learned how to do yet (in photography), but want to learn soon? That thing where you take a picture of someone and it looks like they weren't aware they were having their picture taken? Yeah, that. So happy to have connected with Sam. :) Check out his work! Happy Friday! Autumn
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How long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do?
Well, I got my first camera when I was a kiddo from my grandfather. It was a Polaroid SX-70. It had the leather case and everything. I loved it. My parents accidentally sold it in a garage sale. Speed up to 2014, I found one in mint condition at a side walk sale for $45. I will tell you though, my perspective on photography has changed and evolved since those polaroid days. So of course throughout my youth I was taking 35mm film, and in high school learned how to develop it. My first paid gig was photographing my friend's emo screaming band on film. I think they paid me $60. I used gels and it was awesome. My career really started when I went to Chicago in 2009 to work for Todd Baxter. I assisted, did editing, casting calls, whatever an assistant does. I loved his work. After working with Todd, I was the in house photographer at a small studio in Akron. Mainly shooting Guess Eyewear floating frames, still life and studio work (before Warby Parker was hip). Back then, I really wanted to be a photo-illustrator and create photographs in a series of storytelling and surrealism. I think mostly because I was also double majoring in graphic design so my work always had a little bit of design and little bit of refined photography. I suck at drawing so photo illustration was my best chance at being an artist. So my early work really aligned with that idea. I wanted my images make people look twice and and be slightly weird. I loved styling still life and doing portraiture. Just as long as it had a narrative or story to tell. While strictly being a studio photographer, I found what I was good at and what I loved. I had worked under a big photographer and learned a lot from him. Then, I got a call to get my big kid job at Ologie to be a designer and a photographer. But there, I had to change my perspective on photography. I was upset at first, but I realized that it made me grow to be a better photographer. All our clients were asking for "slice of life" or " lifestyle photography." I found myself doing a lot of natural light and lifestyle shoots. I grew to love it, and was able to still find moments and ways to have my style come through with composition and light. I found that I love raw human emotion, and authenticity in images. It was the total opposite of me directing and creating photographs. But, candid nature is just so perfect in itself. So now, I love it when my images are blurry and over or under exposed. Fuck it. It's beautiful. Loosing control is a part of life and makes photography so relatable. I love looking at images and being like, "Hey, yeah I get it man. I feel ya." Now, it's ice cream. I'm the in house photographer for Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. I love their approach to photography. It sort of meshes my two approaches. They want to make art with ice cream (photo-illustration), but they also want to make people feel like they can relate to the ice cream in their everyday life (lifestyle). I love it. I get to do candid work and get technical with studio work. So far, it's been a fun new chapter. And anyone who photographs food that doesn't melt - I envy you. Ice cream is tough!!! And we photograph the real stuff! What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? I love photographing people. I love talking to people, getting to know them, building relationships and making them feel special. An old coworker said once that with clients you basically have to make yourself super human even to the point of making yourself look stupid. I am OKAY with that. So sometimes I tell an embarrassing story to get a smile and to make them feel special. Sometimes I mispronounce cities or words in conversation. The session is not about me, and I think going into a session with that mentality really helps the person feel good. I also really like a lot on posing and directing. I'm obsessed with learning new conversational tips on how to get the most out of a personal session. When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did get get past it? Oh brother. I feel frustrated the most when I'm used as a tool and not used for my creative insight. It's common when you work in-house. But it's cool because sometimes I just have to photograph a product on white. That's the project that gives me the brain space to keep pushing on other projects. But I don't want to be used as a tool on a creative shoot where the client really doesn't know anything about lighting or aperture, or that they schedule a shoot at the wrong time of the day because they don't know north vs. south vs. east vs. west. Use me. Please. I'm a professional and I'm really just here to help the project. I have zero ego and just want to get the best thing out of working with clietns. Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) I'm inspired by a lot of things, but I'll just list some photographers out there that I love.
What's something you haven't yet learned how to do yet (in photography), but want to learn soon? I would love to rent a medium format film/digital camera and just go to town. I know they are easy to rent but I'm waiting for that big bad freelance gig to come in and pay off my credit card first. (Yes, I do freelance. Hire me! I'm fun!) I also love teaching people how to take pictures and hope to do more of that. I've done a lot of one-on-one sessions for clients so maybe a class or workshop? Everyone is a photographer, and I think that is rad! I also love design, but I'm taking a break from it. I needed a change of pace and to focus on one thing in my career. I have a problem where I want to do and try everything. I have to say that right now is the happiest and most confident I've been in a long time. Maybe I'll go back to design, or not. Maybe I'll become a tree farmer! Who knows! Happy Friday! Autumn
Enjoy her interview!
Angela, how long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do? I've been full-time since 2012. I photograph mostly weddings and portraits with a limited selection of small women-owned businesses. What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? My favorite thing to photograph is people. I know that's vague but what I love is learning about a person or a couple and see what makes them...them! And then find a way to photograph them in a way that they recognize their best selves! When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did get get past it? I feel frustrated often, I think it's part of being a creative person. If I'm not shooting who and what I want, then I plan a shoot or project to get me back on track to what I love! Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) I don't look to one person in particular. Each client becomes my muse and I use something they say - it lets me know what makes them feel alive and whole and build off of it to create their session. What's something you haven't yet learned how to do yet (in photography), but want to learn soon? I have dabbled in video but I want to do more - not to become a full-time videographer, but be more confident and competent at filming video and audio. You may or may not notice, but when I use photos of me on my website, they are often photos by Angela. :) Feel free to check out more of her work too! Happy Friday! Autumn If you use Instagram, you know that people post their "best nine" this time of the year. Here's mine: First of all, I love that Joe DeLoss is right there next to the eclipse! It also seems that folks liked the Biltmore Estate and the Cathedral of Learning as much as I did! I'm a little embarrassed that three images of me showed up in this top nine, but I am so proud that two LGBT pics showed up as well. #lovewins :) I also wanted to share my own personal top nine! I went through the tens of thousands of photos I took this year, and chose the following: These are in no particular order, and have different meanings of importance to me. First of all, I am proud of all the photos. Second, some of them are important just because I was having such a fun time taking the photos that day, or because the person in the photo makes my life special, or the products in the photo are some of my favorites.
I'm proud of the work I did this year, and can't wait for 2018! If you'd like to know more about each of these 18 photos, visit my Instagram. They photos are tagged with each client. Thank you for everything you brought to my life in 2017. I wish you the best this holiday season and through the New Year! Happy Friday! Autumn
Natalie, how long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do?
I bought my first DSLR in 2014 because I wanted to take better quality photos for my lifestyle blog (my iPhone at the time wasn't cutting it). I fell in love with my camera and with taking pictures of anything and everything, but I didn't consider turning my passion into a side business until 2016. That was the year my boyfriend and I traveled to San Francisco to visit my best friend who got engaged. She had asked me to photograph her engagement session and from that moment on, I was hooked. What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? I love photographing people. I once had a couple tell me that they hated having their pictures taken, but that I helped change that. That moment made everything worth it. As a photographer, you can help bring out confidence in your subjects, or capture sweet moments that they'll cherish forever. You can't put a price on that. When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did get get past it? I feel frustrated more times than I'd like to admit. I compare myself to others who have been in the game for years. It's hard not to. But then I remind myself to enjoy the journey and trust the process. When you work hard and practice and continue to hone your craft, you're going to get better. No matter how experienced you are, there will always be something new to learn and there will always be room to grow. Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) I find inspiration in the little things. Sometimes it strikes randomly, like when I'm sitting in a busy coffee shop or flipping through the Anthropologie Home catalog (GOALS). When it comes to other photographers, I'm always inspired by those who capture movement and emotion well. I love Lauren Scotti and Jordan Voth -- they're amazing! What's something you haven't yet learned how to do (in photography), but want to learn soon? Natural light is my favorite, but I'd love to master artificial light. So many people shy away from it, but when done well, flash can really transform and bring depth to an image. Natalie, let's spend some time playing around with studio light soon! :) Happy Friday, everyone! Autumn One year ago today, I enjoyed my very first day of self-employment, which made me feel like this... Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard I'm especially happy when I think of the past 13 years:
Beyond my hard work, I credit so much of my success to all of the supportive people in my life. Support means hiring me, referring me, talking to me, hanging out with me, getting creative with me, and reading my blog posts! I don't think you'll ever understand how grateful I am for you. <3 Happy Friday! Autumn
Rachel, how long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do?
I think everyone becomes a photographer the moment they have a camera in their hands. My journey with my camera began when I was 18. I went on a school trip and held a chaperone’s DSLR and fell in love. At that time, I had been working at my dad’s restaurant for several years and having stashed away most of my tip money, I bought myself a camera as a graduation gift. After high school, I nannied for a year in Amsterdam. Working for a family from Ohio who was far from their close friends and family, every day I’d post photos from our life together with little snippets of text. Quotes from the kids, glimpses of our life, what we were cooking. What seemed like innocent storytelling turned out to be a huge hit back in the States. So much so that when I came home, those family and friends started hiring me for family photos. A couple of years later, after eagerly second-shooting a few weddings, my dear friends Rebecca and Teddy asked me to photograph their wedding. It changed everything. They still are some of the best humans I know. They had a January wedding and other than slipping on some ice, it was my dream day. I shot 11 more that year, 25 the next, then a couple of years in the 30s. Now I’m climbing back down that mountain, capping next year at 15. What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? Over the years, my work has evolved to meet the needs of my community, so for quite a while it was all about the weddings. Now I’m getting to take lots of maternity, baby, and family photos! I love continuing to work with the same families year after year. Some of my couples without kids come back for anniversary photos too! Having studied anthropology in college, I find this work to be important because there’s nothing better than creating a time capsule that will help a future teenager or adult rediscover who they were when they were 5. It’s nostalgic. Which is why I encourage families to let me come into their home and capture the mundane moments of childhood. What book does your toddler make you read them all the time? What toy is always left out for you to step on? When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did you get past it? I feel frustrated by the bulkiness of running a business. For years I enjoyed wearing many hats and keeping it fresh by doing a different aspect of the business every day. Now my problem is that my inbox weighs me down. Thankfully, I just hired a studio manager who will be amazing at the role. It’s hard for me to give up control, but there’s nobody I trust more. She’s one of my brides from 2013 and went on to start her own feminist wedding magazine called Catalyst Wed Co. When she moved back to Columbus after a couple of years in other places, we both professed our desire to work together. Now we are! Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) Oh my gosh, kids! They tell the truth in the most beautiful ways. Some of my proudest work happened when I was a nanny, and the kids I lived with would collaborate with me on projects. I like kids that are a little older. Recently, an 11-year-old told me her life plan, and her backup plan, and her backup-backup plan if the economy isn’t good. It was amusing, helped us connect, and made the shoot ridiculously fun. What's something you haven't yet learned how to do yet (in photography), but want to learn soon? Hmmm. I’d like to get better at using Photoshop. For now, I call myself a truth-telling photographer–aka, i won’t swap heads–but it would be nice to be capable of that. When I first started, I knew more of those things, but I’m rusty! Rachel, you're an inspiration...in SO many ways. <3 Happy Friday! Autumn
Happy Friday! Autumn
Onto the interview!
Allie, how long have you been a photographer? What kind of work do you do? This question is always difficult for me to answer. I took my first photography class when I was nine. I shot film until college. Then went digital. Then went back to film. Then started charging money for my photography in 2012. Right now I shoot strictly commercial. I photograph a lot of food, some alcohol and lots of products! What is your favorite thing to photograph? Why? Anything that's not tied to money. Money changes everything for me. When was the last time you felt frustrated about your work as a photographer? How did you get past it? When I was photographing people and a lot of personal shoots like weddings and family sessions. To get past it, I had to stop taking on work like that. I remember announcing my last wedding of the year and feeling such a wonderful sense of relief. Now, when I truly want to, I will photograph an engagement session because I love the people involved and it feels like a gift. Do you have a muse? (This can be a person, a city, an Instagram account, anything!) Jamie Beck of Ann Street Studio. Her art, her writing and her travels captivate me! What's something you haven't yet learned how to do yet (in photography), but want to learn soon? I can't name it but there are thousands of things I have yet to learn. I am not super technical and I don't even usually know the right terms for what I'm trying to learn but I'll know I'm stuck when I hit a roadblock tomorrow and the next day and the next. I'm inspired by so many photographers in this city. In related news, I'll probably write soon about why I don't believe in competition. :) Happy Friday! Autumn |
Writing and vlogging to entertain, educate, expose, and encourage.
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