BLOG — LooksLikeFilm

10 Questions: Zalmy Berkowitz

Zalmy Berkowitz's artistic vision describes rhythm and movement amongst the chaos of life’s candid moments. His film work makes you fall in love with analog all over again.

10 Questions: Bob Sala

Meet Bob Sala. You might have come across his work - cinematic 60s-70s ambient stills that remind you of your mother’s childhood (or for some, your own). His (portrait) images go beyond making a fashion statement on a particular era; they tell a story of society and culture.

10 Questions: Vittore Buzzi

Milan based photojournalist Vittore Buzzi's photography is fuelled by the search to understand and accept reality - which translates into an exceptional eye for capturing moments and stories.

 
 
 

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Artist of the Month - Kate Whyte

artist of the month

Artist of the Month - Meg Loeks

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - MEG LOEKS

Here we go. It's a new year, our 2017 Artists of the Year have been honored, so it is time now to focus back on our Artists of the Month-features. We are so excited to start this year with the amazing Megan Loeks from Michigan. Are you looking for inspiration in family photography?  Then you should definitely have a look at Meg's beautiful and unique work, which is full of stories and emotions...

How old are you and where are you from?

I’m 33 years old and from a small farming community in West Michigan.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I live with my husband and three little boys, ages 2-6, in a remote area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I’m a photography instructor through Click Photo School. I recently stopped doing client work to allow for more family time. I spend a good portion of my time outside with my family. That is where I feel most comfortable and grounded. We enjoy hiking and make a point to explore a new area once a week.

How did you end up being a photographer?

I started out shooting film in high school. My favorite part of film was always the developing stage. I loved spending time in the dark room. I switched to digital while in high school after I joined the yearbook staff. It wasn’t until I started having children that I found my voice and developed my style. My children and nature became my greatest inspirations. I’m drawn to lifestyle, environmental portraits and fine art and love to merge the different genres together.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Twenty years from now my children will be grown and forging their own way. I know that there will come a day when they are not my main subjects. I’ve always been drawn to nature and see myself eventually transitioning to more of a landscape photographer. I also hope that in 20 years I’m still actively teaching photography.

What gear are you currently using?

I shoot with a Canon Mark IV. My favorite lenses are the Sigma Art 85mm, Sigma Art 135mm, Canon 35mm 1.4L version ii and Sigma Art 24mm. I also love to occasionally shoot with my Lensbaby Velvet 56mm.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

I think one thing most photographer’s struggle with at some point in their career is finding their voice. I think it’s important to know that it takes time and that you’re not alone. For some it could take years. Not only that but it’s ever evolving. My advice is to let go and embrace change. Study those who inspire you. Figure out what it is that you love about their work. Incorporate that into your style and make it your own.

We know the photography field is heavily saturated. I guarantee you will only find passion by shooting and producing what you are drawn to, regardless if that is what everyone around you is doing or not.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot kids, lifestyle etc.?

I have found a lot of incredible artists through the LLF community. That alone has been a huge inspiration. I’ve learned new creative techniques both in how I shoot and in post processing because of the community. Many of the artists I’ve been inspired by don’t even shoot the same genres as I do. I think the diversity is one of the things that makes this community so wonderful.

What plans do you have for 2018?

Some of my personal goals for 2018 are to create a monthly video, take a couple of workshops (one on video) and dabble more in artificial light. Every year I try to take several photography workshops. I always learn something new and I value the CC.



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Artist of the Month - Maryline Rivard

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - MARYLINE RIVARD

This November we would love to present you the amazing artist Maryline Rivard from Canada. Her creative and unique style makes her probably the queen of self-portraits in our LOOKSLIKEFILM community. Beside her inspiring 52-weeks self portrait challenge she shoots couples, kids and weddings as well. It's time for us to get to know her story a little better. 

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 32 years old and come from a small town located in the province of Quebec in Canada. I started my career as a teacher in visual arts and drama but in the course of my studies, I learned film photography. I have been a full time professional photographer for about 1 year and a half now.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I live in the countryside in a house surrounded by forest. I don’t like cities, I prefer nature or abandoned places. I devote myself entirely to photography. In my work, I mainly photograph families, weddings, maternities and portraits.

In my personal practice, I am currently doing the 52 week self-portrait challenge for 36 weeks. I create conceptual and surrealistic images in a timeless atmosphere based on fairy tales. I am the heroine in my story so every self-portrait represents a part of my life such as the emotions that I feel, the people I meet, the songs I listen to, etc.

How did you end up being a photographer?

I started photography as a model in 2010 which explains my tendency towards self-portraits. Being very passionate, I became an amateur photographer.  Later, thanks to Facebook, I turned professional which allowed me to make myself known in my area. It takes a lot of discipline, perseverance and hard work but I am an ambitious person. 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I believe that one of the most important things in life is to realize one's dreams and always aiming high, so in 20 years I would like to travel around the world and have an international career.

What gear are you currently using?

I am currently using a Nikon D750 camera and I have three lenses: 35mm F1.8 G ED, 50mm F1.4D and 85mm F1.8 G. I have a soft spot for the vintage rendering of the D range lenses which is why I recently bought a 24 mm F2.8 D. I only work in natural light and therefore do not use any flash.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

The greatest advice I could give to a new photographer is that you should never compare your work to that of others. Each person’s journey is unique and we all have to start somewhere. Photography is a complex field and there are many things to learn; I am still learning every day! You have to be patient and persevere in your practice and especially not be afraid to take risks!

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot portraits, lifestyle etc.?

When I discovered the LLF community, it changed my way of looking at photography. All these talented photographers have the same taste as me and the same way of looking at photography. I started using VSCO presets and finally got the result I wanted in my editing. For the first time in 5 years, I was satisfied with the final rendering of my photos.

When I had my first “Choo Choo”, I was filled with pride. I felt recognized by my peers and it gave me a lot of confidence and motivation! I love the LLF community; it has given me a lot assurances in my practice with all the likes and comments on my photos as with the beautiful images that I see every day that inspire me!

What plans do you have for this year/next year?

In the next year, I will exhibit a selection of my self-portraits at the end of my 52 week self-portrait challenge in April 2018. I am also working on a project to publish a book with the 52 photos. I feel sad that this project is coming to an end but am planning for a possibility of maybe doing a 365-day self-portrait challenge which remains to be seen!


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Artist of the Month - Kevin Lowery

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - KEVIN LOWERY

Have you ever thought back how your photography career begun? I guess, everyone of you has his own unique story how all of this started. Kevin Lowery - our Artist of the Month in October - is a pianist and musician, who turned into a photographer. Read about his journey into the world of photography and enjoy his beautiful work.

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 28 years old, and I live in Atlanta, GA (USA). I grew up in a small, rural town in south Georgia.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

Right this moment, I’m DROWNING in wedding season. Anyone else feel the same way? Haha. My life is crazy chaotic right now, but I wouldn’t have it another way. I’m a father to an incredible curious and expressive toddler boy. He’s 22 months now. I’m a husband to middle school band teacher. He likes to give the impression of being the strong, silent type but he’s really just a big teddy bear.

We live in the suburbs of Atlanta where we’re really active with friends and family. My biggest daily struggle is always finding a good work/home balance, but things are going well. :) 

How did you end up being a photographer?

I bought my first “real” camera - a Nikon D610 with the kit lens - because I wanted to take better pictures of my dogs, haha. This was back in 2013. That turned into a small pet photography business, but I got burned out shooting pets. It’s hard to keep making new, artistic images because mostly people who hire pet photographers aren’t looking for artistic portraits; they just want a beautiful image or two of their pet they can frame and put on the shelf. So, I started shooting people.

As I geared myself toward shooting weddings, I knew I would need a personal project to keep me from burning out. That’s when my Skin Like Dawn project was born. Skin Like Dawn is really what propelled my career in photography forward quite a bit quickly. Not many people shoot intimate male portraits like I do, so it was a quick way to get a lot of attention. 

It’s really benefited my wedding and couples shooting too because it’s given me so many opportunities to find myself around other amazing photographers, like Lukas Piatek for instance. 

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I have no idea where I see myself in 20 years, professionally at least. At that time, my husband and I will most likely be empty nesters and living somewhere amazing. I’m not sure what that will mean for my professional shooting career, but I do hope that it’ll still be going. 

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What gear are you currently using?

I now shoot primarily with a Nikon D750 and 35mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4 primes. I also shoot with a 50mm Lensbaby that I LOVE. 

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

Shoot everything. Make whatever art you want to make. Don’t be bound by the box that the photography community as a whole will try to make you fit into. Be yourself, and never apologize for that.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot families/couples/weddings etc.?

Definitely. LOOKSLIKEFILM really changed everything for me when I went to the first Choo Choo Camp. That’s the first place I ever showed anyone my Skin Like Dawn Project, and it was the first time that anyone really gave me permission to make whatever I want to make. I think I found my voice as a photographer because of LLF.

What plans do you have for this year?

I have about a month left in crazy busy wedding season, but I have big plans for my Skin Like Dawn Project in the new year. I’m not going to reveal anything yet, but I think it’s going to break the mold for intimate portraits.

In 2018, I’m teaching at several workshops - Fight Together, UnRaveled, both Babetown (IDAHO and MAINE) Workshops, and hopefully a few more in the fall. I’m also going to be joining any buddy Anthony Thurston again to teach another UnCovered Boudoir Workshop. For 2018, we’re going to be bringing in several more teachers to include more topics and make it a full weekend gig. I’m really excited about it. :) 



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