Can you tell us about the story behind the photographs?
Here in Wilmington, NC, the Cape Fear Roller Girls were just starting up for a new season so me and my friend Vanessa (who was one of the original team) decided to do a fun shoot with the girls. This shot was taken of “Double Barrel Bambie” (that’s her derby name!) in the back hallway of the Soapbox Laundrolounge where you can drink beer, do your laundry and see live shows all in one place! Ingenious!
What camera do you use?
I use my Canon 20D and a Canon 30D the most. I also have a Canon Rebel XTi that doesn’t get used much lately, as well as little Olympus point and shoot that doesn’t see much action either. I’ve got old film 35mm cameras as well that are fantastic, but it’s just too much of a hassle to develop the film!
Can you share a little bit about your film set experiences please?
I shot stills for Erica Dunton’s film The 27 Club that was all over the film festivals last year, including Tribeca, where I attended the premiere last April. Look Erica up, she’s a brilliant filmmaker!
Name three things that you love about Flickr:
Feedback from total strangers, getting inspiration from other’s work, and the archival aspect of it. I love looking back and seeing how my work has changed and what has happened in my life. It’s like an online scrapbook.
Which Flickr photographers would you recommend us checking out?
Michelle Black – her work is fantastic!
Who and what are your creative influences?
Nothing huge drives me other than the fact that I love photographs. I love being able to suspend a moment, a facial expression, an emotion all in a little box. Although, I did just very recently found out that my Grandpa was a Naval photographer during WWII in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has shots of President Truman that are ridiculously good. I hope to get his photos published as a book sometime in the future. At least now I know where I got it from! So, he’s definitely an inspiration, now that I know!
What was the defining moment in your childhood when you thought – I want to become a photographer when I grow up?
It was actually much after childhood really. I loved looking at all of our family photos and I constantly organized them as a kid. I always had to own all the cool little Polaroid cameras that came out when I was in middle school as well. I’m not sure why it took so long for me to realize “Hey, I can do this for a living!”
If your photography was music, what would it sound like?
A little Band of Horses with a splash of Trespassers William, Lydia and some Paramore and Kings of Leon tossed in!
What music is rotating on your iPod?
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s (they are my favorite), Bon Iver, Band of Horses (more specificially, that’s in the record player), Manchester Orchestra, City and Colour (Dallas Green is a genius and has rockin’ glasses), Augustana, Grace Potter, The Decemberists and I’m not scared to say it… Taylor Swift (I love her!)
What are your most treasured possessions?
My dog Ava, my external harddrive backups/DVDs of all of my work and my iPhone. It’s my life in my pocket and I’m obsessed with it.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
The internet is probably my biggest vice, but in the best way. Networking online has been a major boost for my work and I definitely love it for that. It keeps me connected with everyone and makes me feel social even when I don’t want to leave the couch :)
Could you share something about yourself that makes you blush:
Wasn’t the Taylor Swift tidbit enough?! Okay, fine… I watch Hannah Montana. Don’t judge me.
Any advice to other artists/photographers thinking about submitting artwork out there?
Do it! You’ve got nothing to lose… get off the couch and do it! Or, if you’re like me, stay on the couch and do it!
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
Teaching, daycare or working with special needs kids. I absolutely adore kids and because I really am a five year-old at heart, running around with them for as little as five minutes makes my day. I don’t have any of my own, yet, but at some point, I’ll be the most kick ass mom ever.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
Currently I’ve had some photos up at the Soapbox here in downtown Wilmington, NC, but most recently I started working on a portrait collective of “key” players here in Wilmington. I was concentrating mainly on our film community and our local artists, but I’m branching out and shooting as many people as I can get. I plan on doing it throughout the year and hopefully having a show and/or book ready at the end of the year.
