Funny And Personal Interview With Photographer Caitlyn Bom
Enjoy the following quite personal and pretty funny interview with 21 year old Syracuse, New York based photographer Caitlyn Bom.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: Photography is really an avenue in which I can explore my creative side, but it also means much more then that. Each subject I photograph has a purpose, whether inanimate or not. I try to show others this magnificent way of looking at the world around them.
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: Trick question, yes and no. I talk about my photography which is now such a huge part of me it’s very hard not to throw some of myself into the conversation. I try to avoid talking about it much though because I feel my work really speaks for itself. These photographs are of moments, items, and people. While my creative style comes across, what really shines through is the subject.
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: This really depends on what I’m trying to pay attention to :)
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: The summer of 2008. It’s a crazy story really: I decided one day that I missed my creative side so I bought a camera. Okay, maybe not that crazy…
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: This had to be one of the photographs I took of a model in Toronto. Her name is Porschia, and she’s a great gal! We decided to set the photo shoot up at around 12 noon, which most photographers would really rip into me for. Since I have never taken any formal schooling, I really didn’t know much better and didn’t think about it until after the shoot. None of the colors were washed out and I must say, once I realized what I had done I knew from that moment on that I could really make dreams come true.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Negative. I am 100% self taught with a lot of support from friends and family :)
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: I can’t really say it’s “technical” other than the obvious things like having to know what aperture and shutter speed are. My photography could probably be described more as a “feeling” or “emotion”.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: Cropping is one of the most useful tools out there I think. It’s not necessary for all photos, but it has certainly helped me in the past and will probably help me in the future.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: I can’t name just one. I want to travel! I want to see the world, meet new faces and photograph memories all over!
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, this can mean many different things, it is fluid. Beauty is something that is pleasurable to look at, whether that is a child eating his first solid food or America’s Next Top Model, it’s really dependent on who.
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: Most favorite word in life is “Maybe”. As crazy as it seems, the word “maybe” leaves room for possibility. I’m all about possibility and potential. My least favorite word is “finished”, because photography is an art. Art is never truly finished, is it?
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I can’t really say I change when looking through the camera. I’m constantly looking for images in my head when I look around me. I’m doing the same thing when I look through that lens.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: Somewhat let down, but at the same time I was able to see it. I know that I’ll capture something similar in the future.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Of course! If I wasn’t, I think there would be a lot of people worried about me. I’m young, I have a drive to succeed. I’ve opened my own business at 21, I don’t want to see it fail.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: There are far too many to name. I suppose the most influential person on my life has been my dad. If it wasn’t for him (or anyone else who has touched my life for that matter) I really wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: My favorite image is one that has not yet been created. Again, I’m all about potential. The creation of that image may be a moment that will be cherished by someone for the rest of their life.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: I’m 21 years old. I’m young, and I have my own business. I am graduating from college in a year which means I will have student loans. What this means is I am challenged every day to be a better person and a better photographer so I can continue to meet good people and of course book more appointments.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Sadly, money. This seems to be the answer to a lot of things these days.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: This really changes every time I photograph something. I loved to photograph landscapes and nature (I still do!) in the beginning of my career, but I have geared more towards photographing people lately. One of my absolute favorite shots is actually a pair of shoes in front of a church at my second wedding. Those pair of shoes mean so very much when placed in that setting. Two weeks from now I might photograph something much more meaningful.
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: Yes. I realized just how far in debt I will be when I graduate, and I contemplated selling everything and picking it back up again after I paid everything off. After about a second to think about it I told myself I was an idiot and haven’t looked back since :)
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: Yes! I just keep pushing myself to look around and move the subject until it comes to me!
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Couples! Right now I am incredibly drawn into engagement shoots because of what that means to the couple. These aren’t just pictures of people in front of the camera, they are people living their life and hiring someone to capture a few lovely moments of them.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: This is where it started, right? Black and White photography is fundamental!
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: Of course I do! Art is an interesting word, and being an artist means you can see the world differently than others. You can show people this abstract world with your vision. That is what it means to me.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Emotional. Different.
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: The possibilities are endless! I suppose one of my top things right now is a beautiful location wedding :)
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: I gotta say that being more careful with money is definitely a top priority.
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: It’s another avenue, that’s about it.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: Depends on what it is used on. Photography-wise it is dependent on the subject. If it is a girl for a makeup ad, the person creating that ad knows what works to sell the goods.
Visit Caitlyn’s photography homepage, MySpace, Flickr and Model Mayhem profiles.
