Inspiration of the Week: Photographer Laura Ferriera
Laura Ferriera is a relatively new discovery to me. I stumbled upon her on flickr, but it seems where her audience is really booming is on deviantART and facebook, with fans exceeding 4,000. Her work strikes a unique blend of conceptual portraiture and fashion photography, often incorporating fantastical elements akin to fairy-tales or a nightmares. I was blown away by her endlessly impressive portfolio and I am so pleased that she agreed to do this interview amidst what seems to be a very hectic schedule!
How did your journey into photography begin?
Through boredom while I was pregnant in 2006. I was on maternity leave from my website building job and started playing around with my point and shoot attempting self-portraits. Started getting a little creative with the ideas and a few months (and one baby) later I had my first entry level dslr and was doing private commission portraiture.
How would you describe your style of photography?
It’s not complete surrealism but that aspect is relatively strong in there. I tend to do a lot of portraiture, even when I’m doing concepts. I always say that there’s a dark element in my work that I don’t intend on being there. Even if the colours are brilliant and vivid, there’s this undertone that I can never shake.
Who are some of the inspirations behind your work?
Different people for different reasons. Philip Warner for his lighting, Dali for his imagaination, throw Tim Burton in there too for that same reason.
On average, how much time do you spend on a photo/shoot?
I work pretty quickly when I know what I want. I hate long shoots cause “we all have other shit to do” which I repeatedly tell people. For portraits, about an hour, can go longer if there’s a lot of changes in hair and styling, and locations can be 4-5 hours.
Is there a resounding message or feeling you wish to convey with your work?
I just like to draw people into the image so it’s not just a 2 second assessment, everyone feels something different….I don’t want them to feel a particular emotion, I like to hear what their own mind is telling them. It’s interesting what different people convey from one photo.
As a self-taught artist, how did you acquire the skills necessary to create compelling images and run a studio?
This is the question that I get every week of my life 😛 I never read anything because I always hated studying, this goes back to the school days when I knew I was an artist and didn’t bother reading any of my school books….ever. I prefer the trial and error way, that’s how I’ve done it. I can also look at a piece of art and figure out the technique used, same with lighting a scenario…if I know what I want in my head, then I know what to do. Photoshop came easy because I’ve been fiddling with graphic programs since I was 12.
How have digital communities, such as Facebook and Flickr, influenced your work?
DeviantArt is definitely the site that influenced me. Seeing so many other people putting their work out there made me feel completely at ease with doing the same. There’s also a lot of photos on there that are brilliant, it’s like a neverending art exhibition. Facebook’s job was to make me known to the people in my country. I started a group almost as soon as I strated freelancing, and being an ex-employee of a website company, I knew how to use the internet to market myself and build my own website as well. Of course Flickr is also another site that I upload to. When a piece gets done I automatically upload it there first.
How has your online success as a photographer begun to translate into the real world?
People from all over the world have seen my work online, and so I have been featured in many magazines worldwide. I have acquired important jobs from having my portfolio available on the net, so I would encourage anybody to do the same.
What tools do you use to capture your images?
I use a Canon 5D and a 17-40mm lens…..every shoot.
Where do you hope to go next with your photography?
I just did my first movie poster and I really enjoyed it. I’d love to do more work like that. Anything that allows me to use my imagination. My heart is not set on any particular job, I just want to have creative work to do.
Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
They probably get tired of hearing this, but practice practice practice. Keep experimenting and using your imagination. Keep your work as original and creative as possible. …..and learn Photoshop inside out, it takes your work to the next level.
Photographer and artist from Trinidad and Tobago focused on conceptual portraiture and fashion with a surreal twist. To learn more about her, please visit her website, facebook, deviantART, or flickr.