9 Questions Every Female Photographer Has Encountered in Her Career

What does it take to reach the level where you are respected and knowledgeable as a photographer?

Unfortunately, that question is dependent upon a lot variables; one of the biggest contenders being that of gender. While all artists suffer from inevitable imposter syndrome, women in the industry are much more alienated and separated from feelings of success than their male counterparts. Why, you might ask? In addition to the pitfalls and hurdles that externally face all photographers, women face an additional internal one – their male counterparts. Time and time again, I’ve encountered the same barrage of bullish questions laced with judgment and a lack of acceptance. Here are some of the most common questions thrown a woman’s way that consistently compromise and undermine our professionalism and sense of belonging within the industry.

Continue reading…

Conceptual Photographer Katinka Schuett Explores the Idea of Space

All images by Katinka Schuett. Used with permission.

“I like to plan pictures in advance and to deal intensively with picture ideas during the research phase,” explains conceptual photographer Katinka Schuett. “Conceptual photography leaves a lot more control than other photography subjects and allowing me to work with the subject very consciously.” Katinka is one of the two winners of the Female in Focus photography award recently. Her project, Cosmis Drive, revolves around the exciting intersection of conceptual images and realistic scientific components. It’s also an exploration of the human desire to communicate with the unknown. Below, we delve deeper into the ideas present throughout her body of work and discuss her artistic journey as a photographer.

Continue reading…

Claudia Paul Committed to Shooting a Unique Portrait Weekly for a Year

All images by Claudia Paul. Used with permission.

“My personal trick to keep me on track was to use Facebook as a tool for accountability,” states photographer Claudia Paul about her Wednesday Portraits series. “I publicly announced the project and the goal to post a new portrait every Wednesday. This way I would feel like a fraud if I didn’t deliver.” Claudia Paul is a German artist working and residing in New York City as a commercial photographer. She frequently dedicates herself to non-profit work, and is always developing new personal projects independent of her paid client work. She created a year-long challenge for herself: create a new portrait every Wednesday. In the process, she developed a beautiful collection of images while exercising and strengthening her creative muscle and expanding her skills as an artist. Below we explore the project, Wednesday Portraits.

Continue reading…

Photographers Dylan and Sara on The Marketing of Wedding Photography

dylandsara-010

All images by Dylan and Sara. Used with permission

Photography duo Dylan and Sara are part of the most recent trend of wedding photographers embracing the DIY alternative art style to weddings rather than the more traditional approach that many have come to know for years. They are wedding photographers based in Portland, Oregon and are most widely known for their double exposures and landscape portraits. On top of this, they were recently named “Rising Stars of Wedding Photography” by Rangefinder Magazine.

Besides having the right creative vision, having the means and know-how to market it is another key skill to becoming a professional photographer. Luckily, Sara was a marketing major in college. But the duo has worked on a brand that is holistic and very much has a mind of its own.

We talked to Sara Byrne not only about their images but also about how they became successful.

Continue reading…