INTERVIEWS

 INTERVIEW WITH JOEL ROBISON

Joel is an amazing and very kind person who you will love 

once you get to know him and his work!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a 29 year old conceptual photographer based out of Cranbrook, British Columbia Canada. I like to create stories and visuals in my work that lead the viewer to create a story in their mind. My background is in education and I recently started pursuing photography full-time and I’ve been travelling for the last 4 months as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, as the lead photographer. I’m also part of a workshop teaching team that travels across the United States, teaching workshops based around conceptual photography and editing..

That must have been so exciting to be a lead photographer for FIFA. So when and why did you start photographing?

I’ve always been a visual person and I’ve always  been the type of person to express myself through art. As a kid I was always drawing and creating with pencils and crayons but when I was a teenager those things slowly fell away from me. After I finished college I started realizing that I didn’t have a creative outlet so I started exploring different mediums like sculpture and painting but nothing really fit. I came across flickr.com and I really liked the portraits and fine art that was being created and it inspired me to buy my first dslr and try my own ideas in photography. I’ve been pursuing photography since then, about 5 years ago.

As a creative person, what’s something you know you do differently than other photographers?’

I think for me, one of the elements that I try to infuse into my work is a theme of positivity or positive thinking. I truly belive that positive thinking and genuine peacefulness can change your life and I think that I try to add that into my work through whimsy, through stories and through the visuals in my work.

It shows Joel. Your photos always leave positive thoughts. Can you show us a picture which has a lot of meaning to you and tell us why?

That one for me has a lot of personal meaning. For me it’s a visual of breaking free from depression. As a teenager and early in my 20’s I was quite depressed and had a very hard time see goodness or colour in the world. Everything felt very dark and very unhappy. This last year I’ve been working hard internally on my mindset and my outlook on life and trying to let go of anything that might be holding me down. This was a visual of breaking free from the dark thoughts and letting the good thoughts lift me up.

The photo describes your story well. I wonder if you can tell us a funny photography related story since positivity is so important in your life?

Haha, I have lots of those! I tend to shoot in a nice open field area near my house and it’s not uncommon for people to walk through my photoshoots. There have been a few times where people have stood and watched me shoot or ask if they can help me, even though I try to explain that I don’t need any help. There have been a few wild animals that have stomped through my setups, a moose and black bear within a few weeks of each other.

Oh my that must be scary, what did you do when the wild animals were there?

Haha, well it's not too scary. I've always lived near nature and spend a lot of time running, hiking and mountain biking in the mountains so I've a lot of close encounters with all sorts of animals. I usually just make a lot of noise and make sure I always know where they're going so they don't sneak up on me!

Haha you impress me! The moment i will take a roadtrip through america i will ask you for advice ^^.  So i noticed you make a lot of tiny Joel's in your pictures. Where did you get the inspiration?

I started taking these photos when I was taking photos of a toy Wall-E figure that I had and I started thinking of ideas I could use for those photos, when I thought that if I could come up with stories for a toy, maybe I could make myself the same size and have a brand new perspective. After a few photos I realized that I really liked the viewpoint of someone really small and the new world’s and ideas that you could create with this new perspective. Suddenly objects have new purposes and functions and it’s fun!

I really love these shots Joel. Could you give people who want to give this a try advice about making tiny selfs?

I’d suggest they visit my tutorial on joelrobison.com where I give a step by step breakdown of shooting and editing these types of photos :)

Thank you so much. Whats the number one advice you can give aspiring photographers?

My advice would be to shoot photos of everything. Constantly take photos and you’ll gradulally fall into the theme or style that fits you. Don’t be afraid of new ideas, of new editing styles or new methods, it’s all part of the process and it’s how to set yourself apart!

A random question for you: What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I think the world can be a very isolating place, people live in little bubbles and quite often they don't often think too much about their neighbor or their fellow person and I think that's sad. We can all take a few minutes out of our day to do one small thing to help someone, it can be as simple as saying hello to someone, holding a door open, or just letting people know how much they mean to you. I think if I could change one thing it would be for people to have more compassion for one another, kindness goes a long way!

Thank you Joel! You are amazing. Keep up the good work.

A conversation between Alicia and Joel

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INTERVIEW WITH PAIGE BARALIJA 

What do you love about photography?
What I love about photography is that it allows me to enter a world that only exists in my head. I don’t have to explain things or justify myself – I think I love that the most about it. I can capture laughs, feelings and moments and keep them with me forever, look back, evoke emotions and get inspired by photographs over and over again. I also love that it enables me to meet people from all over the world. I am actually hosting a photographer friend from Malasya this Christmas and I’m planning on visiting one of my closest friends and favourite photographer in Moscow this spring. I could not imagine a life without my camera anymore. People, colours, places, feelings … photography never fails to inspire me. 

Perfect explanation. I wonder, which picture evokes the most emotion for you?

This photo is of my uncle’s daughter Rita. My uncle Bihi passed away in 2011 and along with him, my heart did too. He was everyone’s favourite person. I never told anyone about this because I figured it would break too many hearts but I want to share it with you today. When I took this picture of Rita she said “This one is for dad so he can see how much I’ve grown in two years, so no sad face, no sad face”. I love how she was trying to hide her sadness with her little smile but her ‘eyes’ reveal the pain and how much she misses him.  Everytime I look at this photo my heart stings painfully.

Woah Paige, I really see the pain in her eyes. But what a beautiful story. I love how she wants to be strong and happy in the picture. 
Would you break the law to take a picture? 
I think I would but only if I could morally accept it and if I would be able to help someone with it. If it was just for my own pleasure, I don’t think I would go this far. But it also depends on the punishment too. I mean, if there was something interesting/beautiful I could only photograph by stepping on the place that I wasn’t allowed on and the punishment fees would be about 20€ then I would definitely take the photo and pay the fees. 

Okay. So which photographer do you really admire?
One of my favourite photographers has got to be my friend Taya Iv. Her photos and words have helped me develop personally and as an artist. She is so young and yet such a wise soul – definitely someone I admire a lot (and whom I promised to shoot my wedding). Another russian photographer who owns my heart would have to be Anastasia Volkova. She was the one helping me find my style in photography. I am in love with everything she creates. It’s one of my dreams to meet her, actually. Moving to London, there is Ella Ruth whom I admire so much. She is a wonderful photographer and a beautiful model too. Her photos are so simple and yet so rich of beauty and inspiration. I can’t wait to visit her and create some beautiful photographs with her. I also have to mention Kitty Gallannaugh whom I love to bits. Her photographs are like paradise to me. There are many more photographers that I admire, I don’t think I can name all of them here but thank you to each and everyone for inspiring me every single day of my life.

You are very sweet. Do you mind telling us one thing Taya taught you?
Well, Taya is seven years younger than myself yet we connect so incredibly much. She is such a true, loyal soul and very mature for her 16 years. She’s been through so much in her life already and still manages to keep a smile on her face and motivate other people in her darkest times. She taught me how to be strong. To never lose hope and always believe in oneself. She also taught me that you can photograph dirt and make it look all “deep” haha. I really love and respect her a lot!

(laughs) yeah she does that :). What inspires you? 
I tend to find inspiration in almost everything actually. Wise, beautiful people inspire me – my mom is the best example to name here. The beauty of nature still overwhelms me every moment of my life. I study English and American literature therefore I come across many great poets and writers everyday so they do influence my life a lot as well. Other photographers definitely are a huge inspiration just as the books I read or the songs I listen to. 

Oh I love people who get inspired by books and songs. What is your favourite book and song? 
I have so many favourite books but my super favourites are the ones I’ve read at least twice so that would have to be “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Alchimist by Paolo Coelo or Great Expectations by Charles Dickens which I just finished a few days ago and Orlando by Virginia Woolf – ahhh,too many to name. (It’s actually one of my biggest fears not to be able to read ALL the books!) Some of my favourite songs are Fix you by Coldplay, Song bird by Eva Cassidy and probably all songs (and lyrics) by Florence and the Machine. These are songs I can listen to fifty times in a row and still feel … feelings over and over again.  

Wonderful Choices Paige. On another note, If you could have lunch with 6 people dead or alive who would it be?
Easiest question ever. Chandler Bing, Monica Gellar, Ross Gellar, Rachel Green, Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani.

(laughs) nice choice. And why do you choose them?
Friends is my childhood-series. I grew up with those people. (Uh-huh) They never, seriously NEVER fail to make me laugh- even in dark times they made my tummy hurt from laughing, they’re actually really my friends. And even though I know all episodes by heart, I still laugh at every joke they make. When I’m sad I photograph. When I’m done photographing I watch friends. I still secretly hope there’s gonna be a film (fingers crossed). 

What do you wish for 2014?
I hope 2014 will be peaceful and just as inspiring as 2013 has been. Being able to travel to many places and visit my photographer friends is one of my main goals for 2014. There are a few projects that I am going to work on, so I hope those will go well. I also hope that I can maintain my good grades so I can keep my achievement scholarship and focus on my studies and my photography more. 

A conversation between Paige and Alicia. 

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- INTERVIEW WITH YUNIMOND - 

Today, we would like to introduce a young illustrator from Germany to you: Julia-Mylinh Hoang, also known as Yunimond.
Her works differ a great deal from the majority of illustrations, because, despite her young age, she has her very own style. Julia’s drawings mostly show portraits of people with dream-like surroundings and patterns.

How did you get into illustration? Have there been certain events or circumstances?

“I would like to say that I was born with a pencil in my hands, but I wasn’t. The contrary is the case: At the age of ten I began to draw, very intensively. So much, that paper and pencils were taken away from me, my grades went down the tubes and I lost all my social contacts.
Then I quit drawing for quite a while and got pretty frustrated. Only after I changed schools (to a school with focus on design) and after getting so much support from others, I realised that illustration was my true passion and that I never want to do anything else.”


Why did you choose “yunimond” as your alias?

"Of course I could tell you a lengthy story about where the name originates from, but it is very simple. There was this song called “Junimond” (German for “June moon”) and I loved the sound of the word. However, I didn’t want to be sued from the music industry for using the name, so I changed the j to an y. Retrospectively, I somehow feel connected to the moon, even if this sounds really silly. Somehow that’s me, the moon in “Yune”. “


Who are your role models?

“To me, role models are those who pursue the things they do with passion. Those who don’t adorn themselves with borrowed plumes, but stand behind their product and rejoice over people liking what they do. Those who never cease to learn to become better, those who are able and confident enough to take criticism. This can be the illustrator Minja Lee, a stickler for details, or my father who falls asleep on the couch during meditation.”


Do you have an advice you can give on drawing?

“Well, I cannot and don’t want to give a real advice. I am yet too inexperienced for that. The only thing I can tell you is: Even if the first or second scratch doesn’t work out, the third, or better the fifth, surely will. Do not ever give up. It is not bad to pause for a while, to not get along or to tumble. But always stand up, go on and don’t give up.”

What are your wishes for the future? Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?

“I hope to be more grown-up in my decisions, be down to earth and to be more satisfied with my self. If I will ever have the opportunity to have a small atelier in a sunny place (preferably with ocean view) I would be very happy. An atelier full of different papers and colours and pencils and orchids…and a cat would be nice. Or two. For that I even would wait tables if I cannot only live on drawing.”

A conversation between Lisa-Marie and Julia.

You can see her wonderful work here:

https://www.facebook.com/IamYunimond

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INTERVIEW WITH DAVID OLKARNY 

Merge us on your background, where are you from and how did photography happen to you?

It was my second year studying cinematography that I discovered the universe of photography by buying my first digital camera which, at first, was planned for shooting and various recordings. I was amazed by the quality of the pictures that resulted from my new toy and the simple idea to have the ability of catching intense scenes or even to create them made me shiver. I had to become a photographer, it was obvious.

Your work is very diverse. You have done fashion, wedding, fine portraits and travel pictures. Do you feel that it’s hard to define your work? 

I really like different domains in photography, it help me to fight the “routine”. The most important is to tell a story in one picture, to suggest a narration to the viewer who is free to interpret however he wants to.

Colorful pictures, an outside universe, away from the studios, a dose of surreal, fantasy and weightlessness. My works tend to surrealism; there is a lot of staging with sometimes quite fetched situations. That allows me to distract myself from the reality and to present my own vision of the world.

Now that you take time to travel and discover the world, do you feel that your photography process has changed or if your sensitivity has changed toward any view you had?

Definitely, yes, the more we travel further, the more wonderful it gets to shoot. I really need to travel a lot to feel again and again the magic part of the photography.

I personally think that each time you post a picture up its just wonderful. Is there any picture you have taken that you feel absolutely proud of? If so, please provide and describe why it moves you.

I’m not satisfied with my work (as a lot of artists) but lately from my Thailand’s images I’m very touched by this picture This is really simple but there’s something, something true and affecting.

On series that really caught my attention was ‘Have you met Karl?’ How do you come up with these concept ideas?

It was few years ago, during the winter, it was awfully cold outside but I really wanted to shoot and I needed to find an interesting model… Karl was there! It was really fun, I guess I’m gonna shoot again with this little guy.

Where do you get your inspiration for your art?

My inspiration can come when I’m at the cinema or simply in my daily life: while I’m driving my car I mark places, when I’m in the store queue I’m sometimes struck by a face’s expression, when I’m in the forest I watch the trees and I imagine how I could make them “alive” in photography or when I’m at home I feel like the furniture seems to be too static and it makes me want to “move out”.

Can you describe us the workflow from the idea to the final image?

I begin by choosing a place outside that speaks to me with a beautiful view.

Then I select an appropriate model for this place, and it is here that I implement improvisation on the spot of the shooting. I do not prepare in advance, a precise staging is always spontaneous and I can always imagine a scenario at the time of the shooting.

Then I return home, the very important step here is to take the lot 2 or 3 of the best photos from the shooting to edit on the photoshop.

Arrived on photoshop, it can take several hours to edit the colors, transform the reality and in a nutshell, bring a little magic to the images.

Any other message to the up and coming artists?

My advice for the end ; Make photos for yourself and not try to please a gallery or the public. I think that it’s really important and a lot of photographers plunge further in this direction. Be crazy, passionate, impulsive, audacious but some technical knowledge are not superfluous

Conversation between Hanae and David Olkarny.

Visit David’s Facebook page here: David Olkarny Photography

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INTERVIEW WITH JULIEN IOOS 

Merge us in to you background; who are you and how did you start photography?

I’m born on june 3rd 1989 in Dunkerque, in north France. At the age of 12 I moved down to south of France and at it was at that moment that photography came in tom y life, a bit randomly. I took pictures randomly. When I got my driving licence I started to wander here and there. I loved it. I then bought a reflex, continued, more and more. Then with time it all became mature’ so to say. I started photographying people and made it a goal in my life, picturise the human. I’d like to start reporting. By the way, I am starting my very first soon.

Speaking of different picture genres, you seem at easy in the portrait domain. What catches your attention in it?

For me portrait is like a bared vision in a way. Intimate portrait really attracts me!
It is like a confession. It accentuates the look, the emotion, but it’s difficult because the person is really on the spot, you can almost or completely forget the environment around him.

What about ‘naked’ picture have you tried that? Because it is also very expressive.

Yes, that’s true, but we easily tend to get to randomness ! I don’t feel like I am ready for that.
For me, few are the photographers who manage to deliver a unique work around nakedness.

Are there any photographers that inspired you?

Yes, plenty ! The greatest as Robert Doisneau, Robert Capa, Nadar and others.
War photography has also influences my work a lot, mostly those made by James Nachtwey.
The power of that a war photography can express is amazing but also the influence that it can have on thousands of people who have never experienced war. It marks the history weather it is beautiful or completely ‘morbid’.

As photographers like James Nachtwey, who really have a specific message to deliver with the war, starvation and the impact that it has in the world; is there any message you try to deliver using photography?

I don’t think that there is a specific message I’d like to deliver directly to my viewers. But more give people a way to express themselves. All my pictures or almost are based on improvising. It is still for me a learning phase.

Could you name a thing you learned through photography?

I have in for a long while been very solitary and I still am a bit. And the fact of going up to people was perhaps also for me a certain therapy to restore my confidence with humans.

You say that photography makes you closer to people, are there any other motivations you would like to share?

Yes that’s very true! I think that motivation can also be seen in discovery, meeting new people as different as they can be. The unknown as well! It’s still blurry to me, just the fact of starting my first reporting, it’s really unknown to me, I like it but it is destabilizing. I still need a mature overlook regarding photography.

The unknown is always scary, but once you are in it we always tend to find a comfortable ‘spot’ …

That is very true, and hopefully I will find it!

Is there any picture you prefer among all the others?

Though choice!
This is one of my favorites. I wont be able to explain but for me it’s all there. It was the first picture of our meeting, the picture with the small settings, he wasn’t expecting for me to take a picture at that moment, it must be for that little unexpected reaction that I like it and it only him, his soul and the light. That bared image again.

What is your most proud moment until now?Having taken the time to meet all these persons.

Yes, people that surround us are very important to what we become. Is there any goal you would like to reach?I’d like to help people, make them happier. I think and I assert, photography helps a lot! Moreover, psychology have begun to really take an interest about it lately.

A conversation between Julien and Hanae.

Find him on the Internet: Ioos Julien - Photographies

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INTERVIEW WITH LIISA 

Today we are featuring an illustrator, Liisa Addi Kask, who works as a tattoo artist!

What is your artistic background and where did it all start?
I have been drawing since I can remember, but I have been doing digital illustrating for 8 years now. I had been drawing for fun, almost every day, and I enjoyed the most creating colourful illustrations of different kind of cute fantasy creatures. And girls! I really wasn’t the brightest kid in the class, maybe just because I didn’t see the point why should I study all this when drawing was so much more fun. I knew, that in the future, I wanted to work with something art related, but had no idea how.

How did you start out as a tattoo artist?
After finishing high-school, some of my friends suggested that I should try tattooing, because my illustrations would look great on skin. I didn’t have any knowledge of tattooing, so the best idea seemed to try and become somebody’s apprentice. After sending some e-mails out with my portfolio, only one tattoo artist answered me, Kaili Aavik, who was interested of teaching me and sharing the same work-space. Now we have been working together for one and half years!

What are three things that you really like?
I love my dog! She’s the coolest. She is a boston terrier, named Charlie.
Ponies. Any size, colour, shape! They are so cute and funny.
Drive around at the city at night. Best mood-booster when I’m out of inspiration or tired of people.

Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
Oh there is so plenty. From around the world would be Jeff Gogue, Victor Chil, Ed Hunt, Dan Chase, Craig Foster, Victor Portugal, Emily Rose Murray and many more but this list would go on forever. From Estonia would be Mico Goldobin. For me it’s really important that a tattoo artist has a style, which you can recognise miles away. It’s something I’m still working on, but hopefully one day I will have a style which differs from everybody else’s.

An interview between Siiri and Liisa.

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 INTERVIEW WITH TAYA IV 

It is strange how you can have sympathy for someone you never even met or talked to in real life. I am looking up to Taya Iv, a seventeen year old girl from Moscow, how she deals with everything and how she finds strength in the little things and never gives up. Only recently she went through a big life-changing event, but keeps up her optimism and love of life. She inspires and encourages so many girls around the world and she is what I consider a “real artist”;. Taya does not only take wonderful photographs, she also writes and draws the most beautiful things.

I hope you enjoy reading this conversation with her.

Can you give us a brief summary of what your life looks like right now?

After a few life-changing events took place in our lives, my family and I had to move back to Moscow. This new life is a roller coaster that constantly takes us on new adventures filled with fire, terror and hope. It is astounding and I am thankful for every moment.

At what point in your life did you begin to create and especially found photography helpful for your inner self? Did you always have a passion for it, a way how you could come to terms with your feelings?

A website called DeviantArt opened up a new world for me. Initially I was planning to look at the traditional art there, however everything turned upside down when I discovered the images of Laura Kok, Bailey Elizabeth and Kalea Molloy. The magic their images glowed with started a fire within me. To discover a world full of open fields where your emotions can run free appealed to me - I wanted to have more of that burning passion, the one that made life so much more brighter. I started noticing the smallest details in life. The emptiness within me was filled. When I was 12 years old I took my phone and started taking photos of the only model I had around at the time, myself. Ever since then life has been even more unique; an escape from reality and its innumerable troubles. I believe I always had a passion for it. I can’t remember a time when cameras weren’t fascinating to me. Also, my mum told me that the only way to calm down baby me was to give me photo albums. Looking at old photographs of people I didn’t know was what I did most of the time (aside from sleeping and eating, that is).

What else besides photography do you love?

I love reading, writing, drawing and of course, watching Friends!

What are your biggest dreams? Will they remain dreams or are they goals for you, goals you want to reach one day?

Biggest dreams: Always be there for my family and closest friends, meet Paige Baralija and be the person I always wanted to become when I was a child.

I especially love your photograph “When I am Afraid”. Can you tell me a little bit about the story behind it? I am curious to know.

This photograph was taken in my favourite place. At first I didn’t have the bird in mind but during my editing process it seemed to fit in perfectly. I wanted to express the vulnerability of the girl in the photograph and how nature is still around to keep her safe. I’s a representation of what life has been like for me - weak but strong because of the wonders of life.

You recently started another 365 project. What motivated you? And do you have other projects (can be non-photographic, too) in mind for the near future?

First and foremost, my dear friend Paige Baralija motivated me. She is full of life and has an innumerable amount of incredible ideas. She encourages me even during the darkest times so if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have been so positive today. Also, my love for nature and the desire to capture all the minuscule details it possesses motivated me to begin my project. Every day is full of details that might be gone tomorrow so I strive to capture it all. I am grateful that nature is everywhere - its presences awakens inspiration in my mind. As for future projects, I am looking forward to writing a book and publishing it. One day… :)

What are your goals and plans for 2014?

I hope that this new year will be full of dreams coming true! I look forward to visiting new countries, meeting talented people and collaborating with more artists all over the world. There are so many goals and plans floating in my mind right now but these were the first three that came up when I read the question.

Thank you for your time Taya Iv!

A conversation between Lisa-Marie and Taya Iv.  

Find her on:

http://www.tayaiv.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56919100@N05/

http://tayaiv.deviantart.com/

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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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A conversation between Alicia and Madison

Take a look on her blog and Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/madisonmariedube

www.thewanderlustchild.com