Photographer Interview: Carolina Camarena Of Nuevo León, Mexico
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: My behavior is totally different, I’m usually an introvert person, and when I start to take photos a feel very energetic and bossy. LOL
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: Awful, because I use film camera beside digital and I have to plan everything again.
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: I prefer let my work speak my itself. It’s a little hard for me try explain it.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: Since I was a student of Visual Arts, I always felt attracted of all the cinema’s image and visual stuff, so I found in the photograph the best tool to explore them.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: Me, all my fantasies, my dreams, I’m a dreamer and the photo gives me all I need to capture them. It makes me feel good and it gives me happiness.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Well, I found my first WOW when I saw my style in my first photo exhibition.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Degree of Visual Arts by Facultad de Artes Visuales, Monterrey, N.L., México.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: I use film cameras, I have a Nikon 35mm and a Rollei 120mm. I start to select the films I’ll use, based on color and the idea that I try to share. Then the models, location and light. I don’t use any digital manipulation.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: Europe and Japan. Both have the most amazing location.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Es personal
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: My favorite is “GOOD MOOD”, and my least favorite would be PESSIMISM. They can rule my life.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: I’m not concerned about failure, I’m concerned about staying in the same level and knowing that I can to it better.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: The aesthetics of Tim Burton, the narrative of Guy Ritchie, David Lachapelle, 50′s music, Pop Art, Fashion, Glamour.
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: I don’t have a favorite, I feel attracted to Marilyn Monroe’s portrait by Andy Warhol, movies like Snatch by Guy Ritchie and some make up used in Tim Burton’s films.
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: I woke up, go to work, go to the gym and finish watching some movie series. A little bored.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Be positive.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Living in Mexico it’s difficult for a photographer to succeed because Mexico is a country that does not support its artists.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Portrait and fashion.
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A:The must funny would be when I made my friends/models to jump and they couldn’t and fell. And the most touching when I photograph any member of my family.
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: Only once, because I doesn’t have money.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: It’s means to me The begging. I love photograph in black and white.
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: It’s difficult try to explain who can became an artist and what is an artist. I’m a photographer, I love what I do and I feel I find my passion.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: COLOR, full of color and fantasy/reality
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: How can I produce those color without any digital manipulation.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: I want to be an actress LOL
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Robert Pattinson, he has one of the most incredible faces to photograph and Elvis Presley.
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: Try to find some scholarships.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I don’t think is necessary.
Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: Always be positive and try hard to success. I HOPE YOU LIKE MY WORK.
See more of Carolina’s work at her photographer blog, DeviantArt gallery and MySpace page.
