Artist Interview With Krystle Easter Photographer Of Wasilla, Alaska
Enjoy this artist interview with Wasilla, Alaska based fine art, fashion and glamour photographer Krystle Easter of of Kreative Photography.
These interviews always uncover an often unique and interesting reason why someone becomes interested in photography and how visual arts and self expression can shape one’s life … this Q&A is no exception so read on …
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: lol..Well I get excited about projects and I am very focused on producing images BUT if I see something that will look amazing with the setting/clothing that wasn’t in the plan, I’ll bring it up and say WAIT!!! I got an idea : )
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: It mostly depends on the questions. I love to explain the story of the photograph and why I chose to photograph it the way I did.Most of my photos have meanings behind all of them. If they are questions done in a catty way I really don’t like responding.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: I started out in makeup and hair and started photographing my work because I couldn’t afford a photographer and then one year my dad bought me a nice camera for Christmas and in the middle of not knowing what to do or where to go with my life I discovered a deep love for photography. I LOVE creating colorful, out of the norm settings and capturing a person at their most vulnerable moment.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: It means freedom of expression. Freedom of choice. Freedom of time.. Its my freedom in the middle of chaos..whenever I want to get away, I just get lost in photography.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Yes I can..it was taken in this fantastic mansion in Tulsa, Oklahoma with model/mua Erica Eby and she was sitting in front of a leopard painting with this fierce expression on her face. It was the first moment I thought wow..I can do this!!
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: No I do not. I am self taught.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: Not very technical at all..its mostly artistic skills. I go with how I feel about it..the lighting, the model, the look, the feel of the room..and so much more. I put my whole heart into it..anybody can learn the technical part..its the artistic part that takes skill, passion and determination and most of all -dedication.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: I don’t mind it.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: San Diego, CA..the models are fantastic to work with. Everybody there is friendly and eager to know you and help out.The weather is perfect for outdoor shooting if no studio is available.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Beauty to me has nothing to do with the outer appearance..tho it is nice to look good its not totally what is important. To me if somebody is beautiful on the inside, they are beautiful on the outside no matter what society deems them as. In my field it can be hard dealing with beauty because society has its idea of what beautiful should be..but I find beauty in all things..and I try my best to capture that beauty the way I see it and the way I feel about it or that person not what society feels is beautiful.
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: Least favorite phrase would be “she/he’s hot!!” Favorite phrase would be “This photo is beautiful because…” least favorite word “normal” favorite word” Fabulous”
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: It doesn’t change too much but what I am seeing does affect how I act. It moves me,angers me,lightens me, thrills me and in my images you see what I felt at that moment. I tend to be very quiet during my shoots because my camera and my lights and my models are my words.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: Devastated..I have 2 in my life I always think about and wish I could have captured.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Always but I have faith.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: I have a lot.. my main influence is God..he gave me this talent.
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: There is a picture I recently did with Dirk Middleton and Renee Daw in a artistic nude shoot titled ” man/woman harmonious” and hes leaning forward doing the classic thinking man and shes got her body laying across his with this expression that just says he is her strength..he is strong and she is fragile..the image grabs me every time I see it.
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: I spend 4-8 hours editing photos I have done a week or two before.. Or I spend the entire day marketing, sending out photos to mags, sites, agencies etc I am constantly planning a new project. I have 4 collections being showcased this fall and a book being published next year.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Living in Alaska..the lighting, weather and the people are challenging but worth it.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Finances. I don’t always have the money to do the projects I need to do in order to move forward.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: People.
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: The Model, Mua and I were walking back to the house after a day of shooting outdoors in the freezing cold and the model was feeling a little playful and said hey guys look!! and as we looked over she pulled her skirt up to moon us and I began laughing as I realized my landlord was parked in his truck right behind us and caught the whole entire thing so I let the model know who all she mooned and she immediately turned red and took off into the house laughing..lol it was great. She was a fantastic model.
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: I have stopped before and I couldn’t take it.. I had to pick it back up again. I love it too much. Its my passion. I could never quit.
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: OMG yes!! I am having one right now..*sigh* I have to walk away from the project and go outside or go do something in order to get inspired.
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: High Fashion or really artsy fartsy type photos. I love images that make a statement and are different..not those that are about how the model looks. I like stories.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: Class. Beauty. Timeless… Just absolutely amazing.
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: Yes I am an artist. I don’t do this for the money (tho I have to in order to eat) I do this because I love it. I love creating images that people will adore for a lifetime. I love the word artist. It means freedom to me.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: A Vintage feel with modern clothing/style.
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: How fast people have jumped on board with me to support me and encourage me..it amazes me when I hear people talk about my work in such a good way. Makes me feel good.I always hear about the colors I use. They always love that my photographs are very vibrant and that you’ll almost always see pearls, diamonds and leopard in my photographs.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: Its my secret :) lol..
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: I would love to shoot for Vogue someday.
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: I would have kept my confidence and stood firm in my abilities and pricing. Don’t let people walk all over you. They will try and get everything they can for a dime. Your time is valuable!!
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: They irritate me. They give photographers a bad name.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I love it but I also love the raw image. The natural setting. I feel people take it too far and then it isn’t really photography anymore..its more like digital art. I use to do basic editing and sometimes I’ll change a background but mostly I keep the image pretty close to how I shot it.
Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: Dreams are amazing. Never let go of your dreams no matter how hard it is and how distant they may seem. Continue on and work hard. Be professional and courteous. Friendliness goes a lot ways.
Visit Krystle on MySpace and ModelMayhem.