1. tell us about who you are! what are your dreams, ambitions, favorite things to do?

 

Hi! I am Chloe. I am a 15 year old photographer from New York City. I am passionate about photography because it allows me to express myself in a visual language, and to share my opinions and perspectives about the world with others. I want to use my art to make a positive impact on the world and to advocate for social justice and human rights.

 

2. whats being a photographer while in quarantine been like for you so far?

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My work is usually inspired by New York City’s constant movement. The city is so dynamic and its population is so diverse that there’s never a lack of subject matter. However, quarantine has kept most people at home and its been harder to stay inspired. Being inside has forced me to slow down and focus on details. I used this time to do a series of portraits of my friends and experiment with my aesthetic. There is such beauty in youth but this is often juxtaposed against the darker inner struggles of adolescence. I find this duality fascinating and strive to capture it in art. I feel like my two series entitled “Space Cowboy” and “Projected” are some of my most successful work.

 

3. how did you get into photography?

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Like many people, I became interested in photography through the camera feature on my iPhone. When my school offered a class in black and white film photography, I fell in love with old school image making from the manual functions of the camera to the chemical process of developing film. Film photography is much more difficult and challenging than digital photography but there’s more room to experiment and learn. I also like that film photography makes you think about every little detail to get that one special shot you can be proud of.

 

4. who are some of your biggest inspirations?

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There are so many photographers who inspire me. I love the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. He was the pioneer of street photography and I really resonate with his concept of “the decisive moment”.” This is when people in a real life scene spontaneously, briefly and perfectly come together to express the essence of that situation. This is so much of what I want to capture as a NYC street photographer. I also admire the more modern work of Joe Brook. He is a photographer for Thrasher magazine who captures Skateboard culture and his images are all about movement. My recent portrait series has been inspired by the works of Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and Corrine Day. I also admire the social activism photography of Devin Allen, who covers Black Lives Matters protests and communities.

 

5. how would you describe your style of photography?

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My style of photography is constantly evolving. I do a lot of street photography capturing images of my experience as a teenager growing up in New York City. Most recently, I have been exploring documentary photography to chronicle the historic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd and BLM protests, and the LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. I have documented the desolate city streets of quarantine, the angry crowds of BLM protestors, the ravaged aftermath of looting, and the colorful rainbow Pride celebrations. There is so much raw emotion to draw from.

 

6. who motivates you to keep creating?

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I am motivated to keep creating by my desire to create meaningful art that actively addressing cultural power structures rather than representing them or simply describing them. I don’t want to create art that points to a thing. I want to create art that is the thing. I believe that art can be an important tool for activism and I am exploring methods to use my photography as a way to engage audiences to bring about change.

 

7. who is your dream person to work with/photograph?

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My dream person to photograph is Hunter Schafer. She’s a talented fashion model and I love her portrayal of Jules in HBO’s Euphoria. It’s hard to upstage Zendaya but I think Hunter does just that. She is captivating not only for her beauty, but her expressiveness and versatility. I also greatly admire her activism on behalf of the Transgender community.

 

8. how have you used your talents to bring awareness to the black lives matter movement?

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I am constantly sharing my photographs of BLM protesters, their art and their stories on my social media accounts. I feel like right now I have opportunity and obligation to educate myself and others. We all need to engage in a process of self-examination, education, and learning to help create a new normal in which we no longer participate in or benefit from the oppression of Black people.

 

9. do you edit your photos? if so, how long does this process usually take?

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Sometimes I edit my photos, but it depends on the subject and what effect I’m trying to achieve. I only edit when the effect is purposeful, and enhances the work and the message I’m trying to convey. When others view my art, I want them to feel a connection to my own reflected view of reality. I believe that the natural unfiltered image-in all its flawed beauty- is often more relatable and thus more powerful.

 

10. any advice for someone who is looking to get into photography?

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 I encourage anyone who is interested to get into photography. It is a wonderful form of self expression that is easily accessible because of smart phone cameras, editing apps, and social media platforms. I think a lot of young artists like myself struggle when it comes to feeling satisfied with their work. My best advice is to push yourself to take risks and experiment with subjects and techniques outside of your comfort zone. The creative process of trial and error is therapeutic and helps challenge, refine and focus your point of view.

 

 

11. what kind of gear do you use? (this can be camera, editing software, etc.) 

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I use my iPhone and Nikon Z50 DSLR cameras for everyday, but I go to my vintage Nikon F4 or Pentax P3 when I shoot with film. For editing, I use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign and Adobe Lightroom.