Showing posts with label Photographer. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Close Up Interview With Food Editor And Photographer Kristina Gill

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am an American expat living in Rome, Italy. I came here almost 13 years ago for work. Over the course of the three years, I found that I didn’t find my job very stimulating. I resigned, and began to pursue creative endeavours, however never completely leaving the realm of my other job. Today I am a development adviser (food assistance) for half of my time, and I am an online food editor and do food photography the other half.

Kristina & Crash

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

I am quite inspired by intellect and kindness because these two traits I think help people to push forward without losing sight of others. In the abstract I’m inspired by people who set goals and then construct the path to achieve them. Also by people who are determined and overcome obstacles to achieve. Specifically, I am inspired by Shelley Simpson and James Kirton of mud australia for the creative and business acumen-- food also just looks better on a mud dish; by photographers Christopher Terry and Alan Benson for their skill in photography and their kindness in sharing their knowledge and just being available to help, mayor of Newark New Jersey Corey Booker who is on 24/7, he cares, and he makes a difference. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and take care of things himself to help out another person. Matt Armendariz and Adam Pearson, photographer and stylist, are also amazing. I think there is no limit to their achievements and each day is one more wow after another. I am generally inspired by the people I am in contact with in some capacity or another. I need that electricity to live!

Where do you get your inspiration from when you write and photograph?

This is something that I struggle with daily, now more than ever, as there are many requests for my writing and accompanying photography. There are so many meals in the day, not all of which are story worthy or photo worthy. Or maybe that’s my problem! Maybe they should be! So my inspiration comes from my environment and within, but I do look a lot at Australian food publications and also at Jamie Magazine. If I can call that inspiration... The images get my brain moving on other ideas.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

This is hard, because I think the five words I would LIKE for them to use probably aren’t the ones they would use... HAHA. OK let’s see... Smart, Creative, Kind, Generous, Hyperactive

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

My very first job was in the US diplomatic corps. I was part of a very small team which worked on conventional arms control treaty re-adaptation and negotiation. The path I have taken since then has been in the multilateral sphere (dealing with many governments and organisations, not merely focused on a bilateral relationship) and communications (speechwriting/writing/editing). Then of course I’ve added the photography aspect which came about as a need to support the work I did in food.

Describe a typical day in your studio?

I work by myself so when I am shooting it’s crazy. I have to prepare the food, select the props, and then shoot. It is frantic, my studio is perennially disorganised. Depending on the time of year, my window of natural light changes. I could start shooting as early as 10am-12pm, or I could, as in summer, start as late as noon and go to 2pm. I usually have two perfect hours, and an hour on either side in which I’m struggling to figure out. I am still learning how to master the use of light! I get up early, prepare the food. Depending on what type of food it is, there is some problem solving and research-- the best way to present a slice of lasagne that won’t seem like a train wreck. And then there are the color palettes/props. I’m not very good at the styling/food prep parts, so sometimes it’s a bit depressing!

As a Photographer and writer, what is your biggest frustration?

My biggest frustration isn’t really a frustration as much as an acknowledgment that you NEVER stop learning. The more you do the more you realise how much there is that you don’t know. It is rewarding because you move forward in plateaux and can notice the growth. It is however quite hard to look at the image someone else has taken and then realise that it wasn’t just a click of the shutter, but it was an elaborate (but imperceptible) process that takes time to develop.

Tell us about how you prioritise your work.

Very deadline driven. I should tackle the hard stuff first, but I have two to three deadlines per week, and when I have a good weekend, I can frontload several items so it gives me breathing room for the following weeks. This is all balanced by work that I do in the office, the rhythm of which is not set by me, and can be quite unpredictable at times.

Tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?

Being the editor of the In the Kitchen With column at designsponge.com brings me in contact with a million people: editors, authors, photographers, designers, regular internet users with no particular label, bloggers, producers, chefs, publicists, you name it, I’m in touch. Everyone loves food, most people these days love to share their idea of good food with others, so it’s quite natural and easy to reach out. Quite a few people contact me, but I am not afraid to contact others. I think that email/social media is the front line for communications, so I always contact via email.

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?

Follow the passion. Do what makes you feel alive. Develop your own style, don’t follow the crowd.

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

The lottery is the biggest one. The second biggest one, everyone knows who knows me/follows me on Twitter, is to buy a Hastens bed. The others are to build a home and a photography studio and work in photography full time.

What is your proudest moment so far?

I’m so hard on myself...I think I’m still waiting for that moment to happen!

Who do you most want to meet and why?

Growing up, my father always taught me to not be afraid to speak to anyone because “famous” people are people too, like me and you. This took a lot of the wow factor out of “famous” people for me, and in fact, I’m not star struck. I would have loved to meet Michael Jackson, just because he was Michael Jackson. But really what matters to me isn’t the superficial moment of meeting a person, but forging a relationship. I’d really hate to meet an “idol” only to find out that they are rude or something!

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?

Health is wealth.

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes. Chick lit! You caught me! Since I am submersed in the world of food, I’ll go to cookbooks and recommend Super Natural Everyday by Heidi Swanson. It is so beautiful and so well written, I can’t put it down! She just won a James Beard Award for her book, which is one of the highest accolades a cookbook/food-related book can receive in the US. I could also recommend any book shot by Alan Benson. A few favourites are Bourke Street Bakery, and Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans.

Where do we find you and your products? (list stores & links, websites )

I have a portfolio online at http://kristinagill.com and am represented by 2DM Management in Milan (http://www.2dm.it ).

I do a weekly food recipe column every Friday at http://www.DesignSponge.com and for the time being I also do cocktail column there. On Tuesdays, I have a bit at http://www.2DMblogazine.it

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Close Up with Photographer Peter Marko

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am a professional portrait photographer, running my own business as Peter Marko Photography. Currently I shoot headshots, portraits and portfolios for a talent agency in Melbourne. I also shoot real-estate and architecture for some of my clients. Professionally I am focusing on advertising photography and editorial. My personal work is heading towards beauty/fashion and portrait photography.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

My biggest inspiration and strongest motivation is my wife Christina, she is the one who believes in me the most and who is behind my every move and idea. She helps me to not to give up and also to not to fly too high sometimes.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you do your shoot?

Inspiration is everywhere around us, so it is really only the matter of how wide we can open our eyes. I am getting inspired from music, movies, books and of course from photographs of other shooters.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

Well, that is something that I would love to know as well, but I think and I hope in the same time it is probably precise, punctual, hardworking, patient and confident. I wish I could say funny and handsome.

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

My very first paid assignment was shooting a reunion of a family. It was a man living in Australia for a long time and his family were finally able to come over and stay with him so basically it was shooting at the airport and all around Melbourne.

Later I applied to a well known glamour photography studio, but soon I realised that I would prefer to be a freelancer so I quit after a few weeks . I was lucky enough to get involved in couple of massive real estate projects for some Melbourne based developers. Also, I have started to shoot events and advertisements for the MyCeleb Graphic Design Studio which is related to some of the best known sport and aquatic centers in Melbourne. At the same time I was asked to shoot for a talent agency where I am still shooting at this stage most of my time. I am also involved as a photographer for Social Star who manage digital marketing and social media for celebrities and high profile brands.

Describe a typical day in your creative business?

If it is a day at the agency, it is pretty full on. Starting around 9am and finishing sometime between 6pm and 10pm. That means to have 5-8 shoots a day. If I have a free day, I spend time building my personal gallery and work on my own photography projects. I also try to maintain my web presence, engage in social media, and educate myself so I need time to experiment with new techniques. Of course I need to do some retouching as well and if there is time, trying to relax and spend some time with my wife and friends.

As an Artist, what is your biggest frustration?

I would say for me it was always about not being good enough to leave some everlasting footprints.

Tell us about how you prioritise your work .

Now, this is something that I am really not good at. I prioritize things in order to what I like to do the most, to what I really enjoy, which is not always the best approach. But I am lucky enough to have my wife who is much more organised than me so she is managing and prioritising the tasks for me. In this way I can keep myself focused on my art. She creates all the “to do” lists and maintains all the appointments, deadlines, invoices, meetings and other things. But the basic rule is to shoot it, retouch it and deliver it as soon as possible. Running my business this way, clients are always happy and we are running efficiently giving me time to concentrate on upcoming assignments

Can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your audience (i.e. how do you network)?

Networking, this is very important. I am investing a lot of time into social media, mostly Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I also meet a lot of people during my shoots and referral business from my fantastic clients is always appreciated.

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?

Don’t give it up. Never. It is hard to not to give up especially because it is too easy to find a reason to give it up. It took me a while to find my passion, but now I know it and I felt it in my bones that I have to become a photographer and I know for sure that I will become a respected photographer one day, no matter what. Also, you have to keep yourself active, working hard and regularly. There were times when I was not shooting enough so I was not growing at all. Now that I am shooting every day, I can see myself growing, learning, heading forward and becoming more confident about my art and having a sharper vision about my future.

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

Oh, I am a big big dreamer, usually dreaming about things that might sound unreal or impossible for someone else but I dream in a way so I know I will achieve it. I am so sure about my dreams becoming true that these are not even dreams anymore, these are my goals. I would be happy to shoot with one of my favorite photographers, to work with them for a longer time, learn from them. I would also love to have a successful internationally recognized photography business and enough time to shoot my personal work to present myself at exhibitions and in publications. Why? Because this would make me happy and if I am happy, I will be able to share some happiness with my family, which is possibly the most important thing.

What is your proudest moment so far?

I feel proud right now, to be honest, having this interview with you guys. I also felt proud when some of my work was presented at a small exhibition in Hungary. I feel proud every time I see one of my clients to be happy and satisfied and when I am reading their emails and testimonials.

Who do you most want to meet and why?

This one is easy to answer: Joe Mcnally. He is like a virtual mentor to me. I love this guy, great personality and an amazing talent. I really hope I will have the chance to shoot with Joe.

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?

To listen to the people. When you listen, you understand and you learn. This is crucial for your personal life and for your business too. When I started to shoot portraits, I did not realize there were stories behind the faces, so I was missing the connection and the emotions. I had to learn to listen and communicate.

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

I am just about to start to read the new book of Joe Mcnally. My favorite book so far is also from this guy, the one that is called “The Moment It Clicks”, I would definitely recommend it. Amazing stories, great humor, fantastic message, easy to read, understand and enjoy for all the non-photographers as well.

Where do we find you and your service? (list stores & links, websites)

I am shooting mostly in the studio at St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia. You can also find me on the internet, just check out my website, my Facebook page, my Twitter, shoot me an email or give me a call. Thanks.

Web: www.petermarkophotography.com

Facebook: Peter Marko Photography

Twitter: @petermarkophoto

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Close Up with Charles Hardman from 100th Gallery

Tell us a little about 100th Gallery and your role?

one hundredth gallery is dedicated to aspiring and emerging artists. We also work with established artists who are trying something new. I started the gallery at the end of last year and currently manage and run it on my own (with some occasional expert assistance from qualified friends and family).

Charles Harman

Image Courtesy from Business Chic

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you and 100th gallery?

For everyone new to art.

What was the purpose on starting 100^th gallery and how has the concept come about?

The purpose of starting one hundredth gallery was to provide a launch pad for new artists to exhibit their work in a formal setting (rather than cafes and restaurants). Equally, the gallery is for all people new to art; people who like art but who may think that they do not know anything about it.

During high school and university, I was an aspiring artist. I had two group shows and one solo show that I organised myself. When I took my work to commercial galleries for representation, I was always asked three questions.

Where have you exhibited before?
How much of your work sold during those exhibitions?
What was the average selling price of your work?

It became a bit ‘chicken & egg’. I couldn’t gain gallery representation because I didn’t have gallery representation.

I decided to put my art on the backburner until I had the means to do something about it, and made a commitment that when I did open my own gallery, that I would never ask those three questions. After 18 years in corporate, most recently as Director of HR for an ASX200 company, I resigned late last year to fulfil the commitment that I made to myself way back then.

What are the most common issues that relate to artists who come to see you in your Art Gallery?

There are two main issues that I deal with everyday; however they are not issued in the negative sense of the word. It’s quite the contrary actually.

Objectives. The vast majority of artists that I speak with have not thought about ‘why’ they want to exhibit or about their ‘objectives’ for the exhibition. There is a still an unspoken rule in visual arts that you create, and then you exhibit. Few people have questioned ‘why?’. I don’t mind why artists want to exhibit their work (e.g. to sell, to build their CV, to tick a box etc.) but I do feel the need to keep us on the same page and therefore will always discuss objectives for the exhibition.

Confidence. Artists will always ask themselves and others whether their work is good enough. If you have got yourself to a position of speaking with me, then it most cases it definitely will be! That is what the exhibition process is for. Exhibitions give the artist an opportunity to get direct feedback from the public. Exhibitions and galleries are a marketing tool.

Untitle By Artist- keith Melder

Tell us more about your services that you provide to the Art industry?

At our core, we are a rental gallery with a business consultancy focus. We rent the gallery on a wall by wall basis so artists do not need to take the whole space. We only charge for the walls that the artist wants and don’t charge for business consultancy that comes with it. We also do a huge amount of promotion on behalf of our artists and their art. We have embraced new media and promote work through our blog, website, facebook, twitter, and tumblr. We also do print promotions in Art Almanac, Trouble, and occasionally in the Melbourne Weekly Magazine.

The real service we provide is in introducing new artists to the public and vice versa. We are the launch pad for the next big things.

Tell us about your process for working with clients?

We aim keep our processes fairly informal. We don’t have a formal submission process for artists and we have an open door policy for the public. As we are for everyone new to art, we aim to take all the ‘fear factors’ away to make the gallery experience an enjoyable one.

We also do a lot of work by email as it seems to be an easier and more convenient choice for many artists. There are artists that we have represented that we have never met!

Bretagne- By Artist Alana Aphoy

What advice can you offer to artists who are looking for a gallery to represent their?

Be careful. Your art is your commodity. It is your product and your brand. You need to own it and a gallery should be there to help you with that. Many galleries are commercial operations so be aware that they can charge anywhere between 40% and 70% commission (we charge 11%).

This is the main reason that we have gone for a rental model. We expect artists to share in the risk and reward for exhibiting their work; ensuring that they get a greater reward than the conventional model.

Do you have a book that you would like to recommend?

Nope. All books are helpful, otherwise they would never have been published. The thing that I would like all artists to keep in mind is ‘know why you are creating, and know why you are exhibiting.’ When you know why, you can then develop a plan to achieve those objectives.

By Artist-Christopher Smith

Where do we find your services? (list office, links websites & contact personnel)

We’re located at 49 Porter Street, Prahran, VIC 3181 and are open 11am-7pm Wednesday to Friday and 12pm-5pm Saturday and Sunday.

We are always contactable on email charles@100thgallery.com and phone 0413 00 1234.

Our web address is

http://100thgallery.com and you can find us on
http://facebook.com/100thgallery
http://twitter.com/100thgallery and
http://100thgallery.tumblr.com

Whilst we’re based in Melbourne, we represent artists across Australia and the world.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Close Up Interview with Photographer & Translator -Monica Li

Monica Li

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am a full-time student studying Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in Chinese Translation and English as an International Language. I am also the Secretary and PR/Marketing Manager at Monash Photography Club.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

Life. As Ruth Bernhard once said, “If you are not interested in life, then photography has no meaning.”

Where do you get your inspiration from when you're taking photographs?

The moment. I believe a good photo is produced when the photographer is inspired and touched by a certain moment, and has the passion to capture it.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

Perfectionist, funny, smart, kind, thoughtful

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

Hmmm… Does a voluntary position at the Monash Photography Club count? Well, after joining the committee I participated a lot in club activities and since met a lot of talented photographers who inspire and amaze me.

As an creative artist, what is your biggest frustration?

When I cannot please MYSELF. As mentioned above, I am a helpless perfectionist, and for me, sometimes it’s not others that I find hard to please, but rather myself. I am surrounded by extremely supportive family and friends, who always encourage me no matter what I do. But sometimes I find myself being not so supportive to myself and obsessing over a few details, and I get frustrated really quickly lol

Tell us about how you prioritise your work.

At the moment I have to prioritise university work over my photography projects, which isn’t as bad as it sounds (I hope), because this way photography is left as a treat for me, but not some kind of project with a deadline (don’t you hate that word?). And based on experience, photo outings in a hurry or under pressure NEVER ends well.

Tell us about the project you are working right now with ArtSHINE?

Right now I am working on a coffee table book with ArtSHINE and Quantum Compass. Vinh has picked out some wonderful inspirational quotes, and I’m providing the inspirational photos ;) And I believe we all have something very exciting to look forward to!

ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book

Tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?

All of my friends are an artist in some way. Needless to say I have lots of friends who are photographers (professionals and amateurs), and my best friend from high school Julia designs fashion! She makes most of her clothes herself, how cool is that?

Monica & Friend Julia

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions

“ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

Hmmm… I still want to pick up my French =P And of course travel the world! Who doesn’t want to do that =)

What is your proudest moment so far?

1. When Vinh asked me to collaborate with him on the ArtSHINE coffee table book =)

2. When I won 1^st Prize at the Home-Economics Victoria Food Design Challenge

3. When I met Shaun Tan at a very small film festival and got his autograph along with a little doodle!!!

ArtSHINE's Inspirational Quote Book

Who do you most want to meet and why?

Ahh, I’m too greedy, I want to say Joshua Radin and Nigel Slater. Both because they are so unbelievably sensual and passionate about what they do. Radin touches me through his music and Slater through his words. I can’t even begin to describe how and what I feel about these two gorgeous men, if I do attempt, we’ll be here all day lol

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

I’m currently going through my second time of “Toast” by Nigel Slater, I would recommend this book to everyone who loves food and life. Shaun Tan’s “The Bird King and Other Sketches” is breath-taking. And Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory”.