INTERVIEW WITH MADISON DUBÉ
Madison is a person who astonishes me with her words everytime. They are so vibrant and colourful that I see her words come to life. I came across her blog and photos a few months ago and I could not help myself for wanting to see everything she ever created. Enjoy this conversation with her.
When did you start photography and why?
I am from a family of artists. My father is an illustrator, aunts and uncles are all very creative and have their own crafts, so naturally as a child I was surrounded and encouraged to practice many mediums of traditional art. (Drawing, painting, ceramics, mixed media sculptures) I had started taking self portraits at thirteen or fourteen without understanding it was too, an art form. Not yet having the words to express myself I used my eyes in images, looking into the lens hoping to transfer my spirit and thoughts to the viewer. I started stealing my mothers camera more religiously at sixteen. At this point it was less directly about myself and it was for fashion infused photo shoots with strangers or friends that would pretend to be models, and eventually agency models. I enjoy creating concepts with a team and seeing it come to life, but I am starting to develop a hunger to document something less thought up and planned out, something much more true, maybe spend months at a time in villages of different countries. In short, I started and continue to create with my camera because it is the most potent way to open my heart and mind, the most honest description of my vision of the world, transcribing it into something tangible.
What a wonderful way to grow up and view the world. Could you name 1 thing all photographers have in common?
That hunger to create! Right in between our chest bones!
That hunger to create! Right in between our chest bones!
On your blog I saw a lot of travel photos. How important is traveling to you and why?
Traveling is quite embedded into who I am because of how I was raised. My mother was a flight attendant for most of my life, she gave me the opportunity to homeschool myself through high school and travel with her quite a bit. There is so much to see, there are so many different cultures and sub cultures to absorb and learn from. There are ancient civilizations that hold so much energy and history. I become anxious if I plant my feet for too long, I need to see it all, I need to touch as much of the Earth as I am able to. I want to be the wisest version of myself. I know that challenging my reality by leaping into someone else’s will always teach me, I see growth in myself immediately. That is why I do most things, to grow and evolve into the next level of my self education.
So which place or country did you love the most?
Italy was so enriching and full of love, the culture is prominent and deep rooted. I visited many cities in Italy but the Tuscany countryside was so calm, it felt anciently peaceful.
Italy was so enriching and full of love, the culture is prominent and deep rooted. I visited many cities in Italy but the Tuscany countryside was so calm, it felt anciently peaceful.
On your blog I also read a bit about a romantic lovestory in Italy. Can you tell us about Majid?
You can read about it here, http://thewanderlustchild.com/sorrento/ It was a beautiful experience, felt quite magical and surreal. It was as if it was out of a film. It was painful to not be able to fully express myself as I wanted to, because of our language barrier. We are just friends but he still writes to me “Amore,” at the beginning or ending of his sentences, which I find to be endearing.
You can read about it here, http://thewanderlustchild.com/sorrento/ It was a beautiful experience, felt quite magical and surreal. It was as if it was out of a film. It was painful to not be able to fully express myself as I wanted to, because of our language barrier. We are just friends but he still writes to me “Amore,” at the beginning or ending of his sentences, which I find to be endearing.
That is very endearing. I think a lot of girls would love that. Show us a picture that made you proud!
This is difficult, I don’t feel like I have a striking image to be proud of yet.
This is difficult, I don’t feel like I have a striking image to be proud of yet.
Madison!! So many pictures you make are striking! Maybe just show us the first one you thought of after the question?
A few older images of mine taken on the side of a cliff in San Francisco stand out in my mind, something about the beautiful young girl in nature, hair flowing, eyes closed, in her own universe with eyes wide shut, it feels like a state of mind that transferred from me to her.
A few older images of mine taken on the side of a cliff in San Francisco stand out in my mind, something about the beautiful young girl in nature, hair flowing, eyes closed, in her own universe with eyes wide shut, it feels like a state of mind that transferred from me to her.
What’s the most embarrassing song you know all the words to?
A lot of country songs…….No comment on how or why.
(Laughs) okay. What is the one thing you want to accomplish in life?
One thing? That’s impossible, can I say “create and uplift?” Create and uplift! That is all.
A lot of country songs…….No comment on how or why.
(Laughs) okay. What is the one thing you want to accomplish in life?
One thing? That’s impossible, can I say “create and uplift?” Create and uplift! That is all.
Sounds great and everyone can give those words their own meaning. :)
Who is your favourite photographer?
I admire so many, but currently have a few favorites that I constantly flood my mind with. Sally Mann’s images resonate with me because one day I too will be a mama and my photography will shift toward my love for my children, I feel her heart in her work. I want my work to speak that powerfully someday. I really admire Mike Brodie, the way he captured a lifestyle and subculture of freight train kids illegally riding across America was something beyond raw. And Hans Silvester truly sparked a deep desire to go to third world countries, live, eat, sleep with people I know nothing about, learn from them, live off of the land, document, share what I saw. Maybe stay. Who knows how that would change me. I just have to sort out what I could offer the people in return for allowing me to immerse myself into their lives.
Who is your favourite photographer?
I admire so many, but currently have a few favorites that I constantly flood my mind with. Sally Mann’s images resonate with me because one day I too will be a mama and my photography will shift toward my love for my children, I feel her heart in her work. I want my work to speak that powerfully someday. I really admire Mike Brodie, the way he captured a lifestyle and subculture of freight train kids illegally riding across America was something beyond raw. And Hans Silvester truly sparked a deep desire to go to third world countries, live, eat, sleep with people I know nothing about, learn from them, live off of the land, document, share what I saw. Maybe stay. Who knows how that would change me. I just have to sort out what I could offer the people in return for allowing me to immerse myself into their lives.
I am sure you are going to be a great mom and I can’t wait for your stories and pictures when the time comes. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Too much darkness, we need all the light we can find in each other and shine it bright.
Too much darkness, we need all the light we can find in each other and shine it bright.
I agree. What do you think is the purpose of life?
To seek out our own personal potential, find our gifts, serve and uplift. A friend of mine said to me this morning that our journeys are about discovering strength to match the strength of our spirits, which rings true to me too.
To seek out our own personal potential, find our gifts, serve and uplift. A friend of mine said to me this morning that our journeys are about discovering strength to match the strength of our spirits, which rings true to me too.
You should write a book! Your words are wonderful. What is your favorite photography trick?
Thank you, I enjoy language and painting with words. Maybe someday I will write more and venture into that medium. As for photography tricks, I find myself putting things in front of my lens while I’m shooting, especially if I am shooting on a large aperture. A lot of photographers do this, it’s not really a trick, I just enjoy the softness of something out of focus in the foreground.
Thank you, I enjoy language and painting with words. Maybe someday I will write more and venture into that medium. As for photography tricks, I find myself putting things in front of my lens while I’m shooting, especially if I am shooting on a large aperture. A lot of photographers do this, it’s not really a trick, I just enjoy the softness of something out of focus in the foreground.
A conversation between Alicia and Madison
Find more of her work at:
Find more of her work at:
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