Professional Photographer Interview: Auxy Espinoza Of Los Angeles
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: Having the option to cast my own models in campaigns. I have cast girls who were not model quality but given them the opportunity to model for me in an ad made huge differences to their self esteem and changed their lives. That makes me feel wonderful!
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: I love to talk about my photography! I tend to capture the beauty in my subject.
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: I need constant entertainment or I bore easily.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: It was never a decision just a passion that needed a bigger outlet.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: It means self expression and freedom of creating.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: I was 12 and I took a picture of Stevie Wonder. I snapped the picture without thinking about it and what I got was a WOW picture.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Not really, the few classes I tried taking really bored me.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: Not technical at all. I see my subject, I shoot it and it’s captured.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: Before digital cameras I had no idea what cropping was. Sometimes cropping is needed its a choice a photographer should make per image.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: Los Angeles, CA., because I seem to come in contact with all the right people.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Beauty as art is in the eye of the beholder.
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: Hate/Drama. I feel that people who use that/those words are that.
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I focus on my subject and the world around me disappears.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: Guess, they just weren’t meant to be!
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: No.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: Artist like Salvador Dali and Picasso.
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 of a pumpkin I craved and photographed. The way it glowed and the smile on the pumpkin was my energy pouring out. I love that picture!
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: Every day is a photo shoot possibility be it with my Nikon D200 or with my cell phone’s 2.0 megapixel. I get great picture either way.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: More and more photographers are selling or giving their art for free. That challenges me to stick to what I believe in the most..my self and my art!
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Same as above…photographers of excellent caliber are giving their work away for free. I choose to hold out and continue to believe in my self and my art.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Nature, ocean, animals
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: For a moment I was turned off from my photography. I had worked with someone who was very negative and caused me to hate my camera but luckily I got over it!
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: Yes, after working with that negative person I was blocked in the way that nothing inspired me to pick up my camera and get creative.
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Those that allow me full control of creative, direction, etc.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: I have never been a fan of black and white photography. I love color!
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: Yes, I do. Artist create and am a creator.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Colorful, fun, creative, alluring.
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: People love my work. “The Big Ass Book of Crafts” sold out many times over and I was told by the author that’s unusual in craftbooks.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: I work best alone.
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Wow I have shot every thing, um, hmm, oh underwater!
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 followed my dreams sooner instead of having my dreams follow me.
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: Paparazzi are in high demand there’s a huge market for celebrity gossip, news, etc. I don’t blame the paparazzi for doing their job. If people stop buying into gossip website and magazines there would be no need for paparazzi.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I think it’s what makes every photo better! For so long I didn’t understand how they did it now I do but I still don’t know much about photoshop etc., to take a full advantage of what they can do for me.
Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: I believe any camera can capture an amazing picture so stop asking “what kind of camera do you use”! lol…xox