When I was working on my thesis, we had to research on photographers we drew inspiration from. We needed to define the backbone of our art - mine in particular was aspiring to create breathtaking and inspiring work for the commercial realm that has an intimate meaning for women everywhere. Photography is the marriage of experience, artistry and technique. Portraiture has always been influential to me in terms of creating images of natural beauty. That being said, I have three main influences which include Rus Anson, Camilla Akrans, and Petra Collins.

Rus Anson is a contemporary photographer who graduated from the Academy of Art University and is currently working in New York. Her work has inspired me to create images in light of being able to do two things: 1. have an emotional expression of my art and 2. cater to the commercial and fashion industry. She is aware of the product - clothing, make-up, etc; however, the photos themselves are masterfully crafted and expressed in an artistic realm. Her use of soft light brings a depth and beauty to her photographs that I wish to exude in my work. She uses out-of-the-box props that show her influence from fantasy and dreams. During the Spring semester of 2013, I had the amazing opportunity to have her as my mentor. I can contribute the shift in my work to a more professional standard due to her guidance and honing of my style.

Photos below by Rus Anson http://www.rusanson.com/

Fashiongonerogue.com describes Camilla Akrans as “… a Swedish photographer best known for her work in Numéro and Harper’s Bazaar US. She began shooting in 1999 and has a aesthetic that can be described as soft and romantic.” I think that she has influenced my style in terms of the palette –which is a major qualifying factor. Her work tends to be a bit more saturated than mine but it has a similar aesthetic in mood and overall color.

Photos below by Camilla Akrans http://www.lundlund.com/photographers/camilla-akrans/

Petra Collins is a young photographer who works mostly in New York and Toronto. She was featured in Nylon, I-D magazine, The Oyster, Vogue, etc. Her aesthetic focuses mainly on the emotional quality exuded by the subject. Her portraits are well composed, with a great understanding of the relationship of color. However, the most of the influence I get from her work is the emotional aesthetic from her subjects.

Photos below by PetraCollins www.petracollins.com

The type of photographer I want to be is one who makes a ‘calculated’ splash into the industry – for my audience to know my awkwardly graceful subject as well as appreciate the clean, professional technique. My images are sound and styled, yet deep and moving. I capture moments of truth and beauty in youth by using a sophisticated palette – to create a mood that is romantic and dramatic. The light I use is natural so that the images are soft and intimate. My photography communicates beautiful, candid experiences wherein my subject is beautiful because they show their humanity.
Thanks for reading. Happy snapping!

D