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What influences your work the most? I started off as a drawing and painting major in college. I used photography to capture an image and then proceeded to use it as a reference for my art. Eventually I realized that my skill as a painter could not keep up with my ideas. I found that I could communicate better with photography. So naturally I started to align myself with fine art photography. I had a few shows in Utah and then moved to Minneapolis to begin life as a commercial photographer. What Influences your work? I look to fine art for a lot of my inspiration. I spend time in museums looking at the sculptures, and paintings to admire the color pallets and compositions. I have always been attracted to monochromatic color schemes. When I bring that to my photography I feel it creates a more surreal image because it is stylized to the point that it becomes dreamlike. The classic arts also inspire me as to what makes images timeless. But to stay contemporary I love to people watch. I have found that airports are great places for this. It brings out the greatest variety of people! Sometimes an ordinary object will spark my ideas. I like to juxtapose objects next to people shots. I usually like it as long as there is something odd about the pairing of images. Then I use color and composition to make the separate images look like they go together.
Of course! I am always using time between assignments to shoot for myself. I feel that I can freely express my own aesthetic that way. It also allows me to experiment with new techniques as well as concepts. I like to include my personal work in my portfolio and on my website to show the work that represents my own ideas. Its fun to be my own art director once in a while. But I prefer the collaboration process with others. That is why I stopped doing fine art photography. I love being part of a team. I get a lot of motivation from the creative people that work with me to make an idea come alive. How has transitioning to digital photography affected your work?I take more chances and try out more ideas because I can see the results immediately. It has also been a lifesaver at shoots where a lot of movement is involved. I can tell immediately if I caught an action shot or not. I recently did a photo shoot for the Mall Of America where all the models were using a trampoline. I finished the job with the confidence that I got the shots needed. I used to hate having to wait till the next day to see all the film and cross my fingers that I got the shot. With digital once I got it that's it and I can use that extra time to try out different things.
What are your greatest Challenges? I feel like anyone can shoot a pretty girl in a pretty dress. So how can I build on that? That is always a challenge for me. I usually get my best ideas late at night when I am trying to fall asleep. I know it's a good idea when it won't let me sleep until I've sketched it out. So I keep a sketch pad next to my bed. Once I work out the idea on paper I can finally nod off. I also keep a small sketch pad in my purse. I use it to capture all my little inspirations throughout the day. I draw out little story boards and cut and paste pictures in magazines that I find inspirational. After a shoot I will put some Polaroids or small digital prints from the shoot in it. Then I record what I did technically with the lighting or any other information I want to remember so that I can duplicate the shot again or do it differently in the future. Next to the constant creative challenges I'd have to say that owning my own business is a constant challenge as well. Let's just say that Quickbooks Pro is my new best friend! As my business grows it is a challenge to keep up with it. But I have been able to surround myself with a great accountant and advisors that help me keep everything in order. I have to admit that I am somewhat obsessive when it comes to organization. So I am always grateful when I find solutions that make my life a little easier.
Demand at first but once I tried it I really loved it. In fact most of the time I am having as much fun as the kids! It is such a breath of fresh air. Young children are not self conscience and so they do not hesitate or hold anything back. I am constantly surprised at what kids can bring to a shoot. I always have an idea of what I want at the beginning, and they usually take a concept to a much more playful level. Do you think that being a woman affects your work? I think that it is an advantage in the type of work that I do. The young female models and certainly the children seem to be more comfortable with me being behind the lens. Some teen girls have told me that they feel intimidated with male photographers and that they feel more at ease with me. It also seems to steer my style of fashion, because I am usually looking for something beautiful and not sexual. Have you reached the place you want to be? Yes and no. I have a successful business in Minneapolis and a great studio. I have had the opportunity to work for creative clients like Target and Regis. I have enjoyed the past 5 years in this area but it's not my style to ever stay too long in one place and so I doubt this is where I will settle. I'm always looking for new opportunities so I expect to move on someday to another exciting city. Moving back to the east coast is a possibility. I grew up in New York and I'd love to be in that area again. Professionally I don't know that I will ever live up to my own expectations. There always seems to be a new client that I want to work with. I am always looking ahead to doing something different. I doubt that I will ever be satisfied with where I am in that respect. There is just so much to do and I want to do it all! >> See more work from Alli Jagoda >> See other member spotlights on the member spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
