Artist of the Month - Kate Whyte

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - KATE WHYTE

It’s time to present you the amazing work of our Artist of the Month in May 2018 – Kate Whyte from Vancouver, Canada. If you ever have been searching for inspiration when it comes to portrait, commercial and fashion photography – you will simply love the stunning images from Kate. Her artistic and powerful work is unique and outstanding. Lean back and get inspired by Kate.

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 33 years old and I currently live in Vancouver, Canada.

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

I live in a lovely little loft in the city that doubles as my studio – although my husband and two dogs would probably prefer not to be tripping over strobe cables on the regular! I work as a commercial photographer for various different brands and I also still do some graphic design work. I love adventures and travel as much as I can – in fact, I’m writing in this in between packing for a trip to Italy tomorrow!

How did you end up being a photographer?

I took a few cheesy goth cemetery photos in high school, but it wasn’t until after I graduated from university that I was gifted a DSLR. I learned how to retouch as part of my education and initially, I started taking my own photos to practice on. I gradually realized that it was my favorite creative outlet and watched just about every online tutorial I could find. I got some steady gigs as a nightclub photographer and photographed drag queens and various other nightlife personalities for a local magazine.

As much as I loved the work, it was really challenging to make a living so I went back to design work for a few years. In 2015, I decided I was ready to take the plunge again and scored some pretty great commercial gigs and I’ve been back to freelancing as a photographer ever since. It will always have its highs and lows but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Photography feeds my soul.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Hahaha, how big am I allowed to dream? Can I be living in a villa in the tuscan countryside shooting the occasional stylish elopement in between flying to Milan to meet with the creative director of Vogue Italia to talk about an upcoming shoot we have planned? Is that too much to ask?! :-)

What gear are you currently using?

I shoot with a Canon 5DIV and my fav lens is the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

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

I really wish that I’d made friends with other photographers sooner. I’m honestly not sure why – but when I started out (10 years ago), I naively viewed other photographers only as my competition. I realized how silly this was and have since developed friendships with many talented photographers (in part thanks to groups like LLF) and I feel like those relationships have really helped me grow professionally and as a person.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot fashion/commercial/portraits etc.?

I feel so inspired by the talented people that contribute to LLF. I only started shooting people again last summer after about a seven year hiatus and the LLF community has definitely helped me develop my voice as an artist.

What plans do you have for 2018?

I would really like to master some technical aspects of photography that I struggle with and I just want to keep pushing my own boundaries and create art with people who inspire me.

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SEE MORE OF HER WORK

Artist of the Month - Alê Bigliazzi

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - ALÊ BIGLIAZZI

The month is nearly over, so it is time again to reveal our new Artist of the Month in April. 
Alê Bigliazzi from Brazil is the photographer we'll take a closer look at. You are an admirer of beautiful couple images? You are looking for inspiration how to shoot a bride & groom in a creative way? Perfect, Alê is the "go-to guy" for those questions. Let's go - enjoy his work!
 

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 34 years old, and I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

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

I've recently just came back from a trip to Europe and Morocco, where I photographed some couples and really enjoyed my stay. It's wedding season so my life is kind of chaotic, right now, but I'm trying to balance my life somehow.

How did you end up being a photographer?

I love to travel. My first job was an administrator position and I started to earn my first money.
But my passion to travel was still there and kept growing. I decided to study photography back in 2008 with the aim to take better photos on my trips. 

But my biggest inner wish was to have another way of living. I was bored all day long and simply just didn't want to go to the same places every day. 

The photography course I attended to, made me find that what I really love. So I bought my first camera: Canon 40d, a good camera for a beginner. 

I studied fashion photography and shot commercials, but working with couples and capturing their weddings brought me my real happiness. You work with individual life stories. For me - this is real and makes me feel grateful to be a part of.

I love landscape photography as well, but it's just for fun.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Married, living in Spain with my wife & kids. I want to travel with them around Europe by car and documenting our lives. 

And my photography business -  I don't have a plan. Maybe I will still photograph couples and make portraits.

What gear are you currently using?

I am currently using a Canon 5D Mark IV with two lenses: 
Sigma art 35mm F1.4 & Sigma art 24mm F1.4.

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

Do it like it's your last chance. 

Be passionate, be yourself but curious. Meet people who are passionate like you and inspire you. Find your time to study a lot about photography. My advice: go study art in general, it's not only about photography, go further and open up your mind for all the creativity out there.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot ?

I got to know about the LLF community last year and it definitely changed me a lot how  I see and shoot photography. I learnt new techniques and I found a lot of inspiration in there.

I love to see how people are connecting within the group, no matter in which kind of photography genre they're taking place. 

What plans do you have for 2018?

Oh, so difficult.

I want to study more to improve my photography. I want to read more books, travel more and photograph couples while I'm on road. I'd love to show my work outside of Brazil and meet more passionate people like me.

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SEE MORE OF HIS WORK

Artist of the Month - Yaky Di Roma O'Reilly

ARTIST OF THE MONTH - YAKY DI ROMA O'REILLY

2018 is running so fast, so today you'll already get the third feature of our LOOKSLIKEFILM Artist of the Month. Please stand up for Yaky Di Roma O'Reilly! It was definitely time to feature her work here on our blog. Her beautiful images are not only blowing our minds constantly away but also the ones of our LLF community. Yaky's images are full of love & tension and we simply love her creativity. You can be sure to see more of her work throughout the year in our Daily Updates and the #LLF1000CLUB... 

How old are you and where are you from?

My name is Yaky Di Roma O’Reilly, I’m 30 years old and originally from a small island called Margarita in Venezuela. 
I've been based out of Orlando/Miami for the past 3 years after leaving my home country, for University, where I would gain my masters in arts. Currently in the process of settling in the UK.

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

Recently got married to a fellow LLF photographer, currently in Madrid, Spain. When I’m not being a full time mom to my son, I’m either doing self portraits or trying to photograph my clients. 

How did you end up being a photographer?

My passion for photography began to blossom when I was 19 by “mistake”, I was in second/third semester in college and had 3 extra credits and decided to take photography just to get it out of the way, little did I know that my future would depend on that class I just wanted to pass.

I’d had past experience in Fashion Photography, and actually made a pretty good name in Venezuela. It didn’t take me long to realise fashion wouldn’t become my niche... It was the Wedding and Portrait game that consumed me. I couldn’t get enough. Especially Self portraits... Breastfeeding Self Portraits, where my heart is.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself shooting weddings and portraits all over the world, with my husband and our three children being part of the team.

What gear are you currently using?

Currently me and my husband are in a battle about switching brands. I shoot both Canon and Nikon, but mainly I use a Canon 6d with 35mm 1.8 and a 90mm Tamron 2.8 along with a Nikon D810 with the 35mm 1.4 art and the 135mm 1.8 art… I also have a Mavic Air which recently switched from the Phantom 4 pro mainly for portability. Very rarely will I use flash. Only if absolutely necessary or I’m shooting in home studio portraits.

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

Try to find your style early, photograph what you love and don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t let cc offend you, take it and get better. Some people will tell you that your ideas suck, don’t listen to them, just prove them wrong. 

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot ?

Definitely, 100%. Before LLF my work was a lot lighter and clean and I’ve found myself loving darker images and tons of grain. This is such an inspirational group, I joined in September 2017 and the talent I’ve seen in this short period of time has pushed me to create more art and less commercial work. I’m still in shocked I was asked to be Artist of the month, because the photographers in this group are in another league, really mind blowing and I feel extremely honoured. 

What plans do you have for 2018?

Survive… I plan to Survive 2018! My husband and I have many destination weddings along with even more local weddings… This is without caring for our 3 children, and building a home in South Wales, UK. Whatever else I achieve is a bonus.

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