Interview With Freelance Photographer Regina Williams
March 20, 2009
Enjoy another intimate and passionate artist interview with North Port, Florida based freelance photographer Regina Williams.
One quote from the following Q&A sums up her love and enthusiasm for photography: “I think I am at my happiest when I am looking through a lens!”. A sentiment many of us can gladly relate to!
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: My preference would be to talk about my photography, I’m not sure that I would be much of an interesting topic! LOL!
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: I think I have a long attention span, I am one that once I start something I will continue it until I am force to stop be it by time or fatigue, or the husband getting frustrated with me! ;D
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: About 15 years ago I enjoyed photography but was not aware that photography would become a passion for me and I got serious shortly thereafter. Not many people have seen me without my camera.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: Oh gosh photography has such a broad spectrum of meaning for me! It is memories captured forever, beauty, emotion, art, an experience and chance to share with others things they may never see in their lifetimes themselves.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Yes, It was of an osprey flying from a tree, it is still one of my favorites.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: No, I am completely self taught, I read all types of articles and get all the experience I can. I also have had such a wonderful opportunity to make wonderful friends (fellow photographer) through MySpace, Flickr and other sites such as these! They have been such an inspiration and have continued giving me encouragement the entire time I have known them.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: My photography is not all that technical, if I see something that appeals to me I will take many shots using the rules and sometimes making up my own rules! I love to experiment with the unusual. I am game for anything you can think of and up for any and all challenges!
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: I have no problem with cropping, whatever it takes to make the image more appealing!
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: Well for me there is no ONE place that could ever be my favorite place! Ideally I would LOVE to travel the world, there is ultimate beauty everywhere you look!
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: The world, people, when a photographer can make the simplest of objects and capture it in a way that no one else can and it become a masterful piece of art.
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: I guess my favorite word would have to be: believe, if you believe anything is possible then you can make it happen. And my least favorite is: quit, to quit is surrendering to failure, and I refuse failure and all it stands for!
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I think I am at my happiest when I am looking through a lens! When I look through the lens I see that view on my living room wall! But my personality is pretty much the same all the time. I am a very cheery and happy go lucky type of person.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: It saddens me when I miss a shot that I can’t get back, but I know there are going to be those times! I will never give up, I will always strive to get it the next time around!
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Nope, I refuse to allow that word into my life!
Q: Who are your influences?
A: My husband is my biggest influence! He is one of the hardest, strong will people I know! He has achieved so much in our lives together and has continued encouraging me and my photography! He is my hero!
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: I can’t say that I have a favorite. There are so many pieces I find to be incredible.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Allowing my photography to consume my entire day!
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: The economy! It’s killing business’s right and left!
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Landscape, wildlife.
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: I was shooting this girl for her senior portraits and she wanted beach shots! She went into the water which was pretty cold at that time of year but only with her feet! I was shooting and all of a sudden a large wave came at her and soaked her! LOL! The look on her face was priceless! ;D
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: Never!
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: I browse images online for inspiration and ideas!
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Freelance.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: Beautiful art in shades of grey!
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: I do, I believe that anyone that can create something that appeals to the eyes is an artist!
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: I guess the most surprising is how many people comment my work saying they love it! Getting tons of questions on how to do certain things really makes a person feel good too!
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Angelina Jolie LOL! Who wouldn’t right?
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: Named my business using my name instead of Elegant Memories! People identify the name of the business and not the person!
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: It’s not for me and more power to them! They are just doing there job, after all other people’s business is most people’s pleasure! ;D
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I have no problem at all with it! As I said previously whatever it takes to make the image more appealing! I know it’s not for everyone, but it doesn’t make the person that uses it less talented. I think at times it is necessary! I have saved many photos by digital manipulation!
Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: Never allow someone to tell you your not good enough to be what you want to be!
Visit Regina’s: Homepage – MySpace profile – Flickr Stream and her page in my very own FREE Photographer Directory.
Participating in my photographer interview series is open to members and non-members of my FREE Fashion Industry Directory by way of this photographer self interview Q&A form.
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