Medium: Photography – Portraits, Fashion, Commercial.
Visions: My vision is simple, to capture life’s moments, whether real, contrived, surreal or everyday, to capture whenever or wherever that moment is within a single frame as long as it is pleasing to my photographic eye. I do not limit myself as a photographer, to anything beyond that statement.
Similar to: Not sure to be honest, I will let the viewer judge.
Five Words to Describe your Work: Creative, Artistic, Unique, Photographic Memories.
Prices: Varies, based upon the type of shoots I do.
What Era do you compare your work to: To be honest, I do20not have a specific era that I would associate myself with, I like experimenting and trying new ideas and concepts out, hopefully to continue evolving, wherever that leads me.
School: Self Taught, with the exception of a 6-week, one day a week, women’s photography class I took.
What got you into it: Just a little over 5 years ago, I lost my mother to cancer. Prior to that, I never picked up a camera for the most part; I did not even own one unless you count those over the counter disposables as my camera seldom purchased. Everyone else in my family would take the photos, so I figured why should I? I never thought I had the need to do so. There were no photos of my mom from the last few months of her life per her choice, and when she was gone, all I had were the memories I found in photographs and in my mind, which I found was fleeting. But even still, it was not till months later, when my mom’s point and shoot camera, which was now mine, in my hands as I walked the beach after the start of the winter thaw. I can still remember that it was so cold and windy, but the beach was so very beautiful, I felt this sense of peace for the first time, so I started taking photo after photo and once they were developed, there were so many pretty ones, I got compliments on them…from there I kept wanting to get better, so I started joining artist websites, posting my work and striving to improve, reading books and tutorials, etc. My work as a photographer has spiraled from there.
Years doing what you do: About 4 1/2 years now.
Shows: I have not had any shows as of yet, but I hope to in the future of course!
Mentors: I have not had any mentors, except for possibly Jessica Kaminski, a professional photographer who taught the Women's photography class I took, did a wonderful job and helped me move beyond the automatic settings on my camera equipment. Also having her tell me that I could pursue photography professionally based on my work, well that was really something wonderful to hear and truly motivated me to start moving in that direction.
Projects: In this New Year, I will be focusing more on fashion photography but I also have more of an artistic portrait concept that I want to dig into, but the specifics on that I am keeping under taps for right now, while I focus on building up the professional and business side of my photography.
Shows: none.
Obsession: I love looking at fashion photography, which is truly inspirational to me. I love seeing the creativity, how they are always trying to expand evolve and come up with something new, while trying to portray a moment captured in time. I love seeing the makeup, hair, clothing, scenery, all of it captured with that slight twist of otherworldliness…so if I had to pick an obsession right now in the field of photography, that would be mine and where I am striving=2 0to move my work forward within.
Dreams: Ideally I would love to move to being a photographer full time, own my own studio and find my work in magazines and publications. And my true goal is to keep capturing those memories of the world around me, which is what started my path into photography in the first place. Photographs help us to remember moments that might have been forgotten.
What is success to you: Having others truly enjoy your photographs, especially if they are the subject and hopefully a long list of clients wanting to work with me as a photographer.
Projects: More of a focus on the fashion world of photography while still keeping true to being a portrait photographer also.
Favorite Artist: John William Waterhouse.
Favorite Hang out: Bookstores!
Favorite Subject: Anything and Everything!
Shout out To: To models Kelly and Brenda, makeup artist Kristin, hairstylists Amy and Monica, Photog Assistant Amy V and also a huge shout out to my best friends and family for always being there. And thank you to Alt-Magazine for allowing me the opportunity to showcase my work!
Final Word: It is never too late to be the person who you want to be…deciding to do so is the first step, the rest you make up and learn as you go!
Abby Schoofs, Photographer, Avalon Sky Photography
http://avalonskyphotography.com/
