Breakout: Karen Michelle

K a r e n M i c h e l l e

from Washington

Surprisingly, Karen doesn't have any testimonials on Flickr

and it bothers me to see that. Karen does have talent and it shows when you look at her photos

I'm really glad that I took the time to check out her stream.

Check out Karen's Flickr:

Flickr

What got you into photography?

My mom actually got me into photography. she suggested I take the class in high school, so I figured, "why not?" once I started the class, I really got interested in it and I began taking more and more pictures everywhere I went. And now I've been doing it for more than two years.

Who's your favorite photographer?

My favorite photographer changes all the time actually. I usually really look up to people who take pictures of things I like to take pictures of as well. Right now, I really love Gage Young, Adam Elmakias, and Keaton Andrew's work. They take some incredible band promos among other things, and I would love to be in their shoes someday.

What's your favorite thing to photograph?

I think overall I like to take pictures of bands. I really love live shots as well as promos, especially if the band as fun. The band members can really make a difference for how much I enjoy shooting them. I really do love to take pictures of just about everything though. I usually make my friends model for me as much as possible and I like to switch up who I use so I get some diversity in my pictures.

Who/what inspired you to start taking photos?

When I was younger I had never really been super into photography besides being able to appreciate a picture here and there. But once I began my photography class, my teacher has really motivated me to continue getting better and keep trying, even if I want to quit on it sometimes. Also, the first time I took my camera to a show and photographed a band, I knew that was what I wanted to do for quite a long time :)

Breakout: Jennifer Hamilton

J e n n i f e r H a m i l t o n

Talented, Creative, Brilliant only a few of the million adjectives that I could use to describe her work. I also love that she supports amazing causes like Love146 (love146.org) She's pretty awesome to say the least!

Check out Jennifer's Flickr:

Flickr

I n t e r v i e w:

What got you into photography?

Well, my mom and dad used to give me and my sister (and later my brother) disposable cameras every year for christmas. and the first time i held a camera, i fell in love. and that was at a very young age. i also used to use my grandpa's polaroid, until i ran out of film. along with my digital blue in 3rd grade. for a while i wasnt that into it, but whenever i saw something cool id snap pictures. then Cheska really got me back into it, and here i am. with my beautiful little olympus e420.

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Who's your favorite photographer?

my dad is my favorite photographer, i didnt know until a few months ago that i come from a long generation of photographers and camera-lovers. and weve still got alot of the old cameras around my grandparents' houses. along with the remains of a darkroom and tons of tripods and lenses i use for my pictures today. its awesome.

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What does photography mean to you?

to me, photography is an outlet for my emotions. because im terrible at showing them in any other way. photography is like taking our favorite peices of the world, making them perfect through editng, then posting up in as many places as possible for everyone else to see. photography is like taking life, and making it better. because you can take out anything you dont like. and you can make it perfect. photography is a way of identifiying yourself, and showing other people whats going on in your head. and what you are capable of.

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What's your favorite thing to photograph?

my favorite thing to photograph, is probably me, (yea i know that sounds really concieted) but im a photographer who loves to have alot of control of her camera and subject. so people in general, as long as they do exactly what i tell them. :D

Breakout: Bailey Rae Weaver

B a i l e y R a e W e a v e r

Nineteen

from Medford, Oregon/ born & raised

I randomly came upon Bailey's Flickr through Flickr, which is something I usually do but hers was different from a lot of people on there. It was awesome, to say the least, her photo's are so unique and beautiful! Definately someone to watch as her talent grows in photography.

Check out Bailey's Flickr:

Flickr

I n t e r v i e w:

when did you get into photography?

Well, when I was little I got my first little film camera, I think I was about 6 or so. I just took random pictures with it but wasn't truly interested in it because I don't think I understood it very well. But I remember one time I guess I had a moment, when my family and I went on a road trip down to California and we were driving through this town and I saw a horse pulling a carriage down the street and we pulled up to a stop sign and the horse was standing right by my window. It was such a cool perspective and I took a picture on my little camera. I never saw the picture I took but I still have a mental vision of how cool the horse looked. I remember I just said to myself as a little kid "wooow! That will be such a cool picture! I think I got most interested in photography when I got my first digital camera, I think I was a freshman in high school when I got it. Ever since then I've just loved to play with cameras, and see what I can get out of them.

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Who inspired you to get into photography?

My Grandma although, she didn't inspire me to become interested in photography, I discovered it by just fooling around with a digital camera. She has inspired me to take pictures. She's been all around the world and she took so many pictures. Now she is old and can't travel very far. I want to take pictures and send them to her to make her happy. I feel bad for my Grandma because she is so far away. I want to see her everyday, but I can't. So I send her pictures because we both have a connection through taking pictures. I take a lot of her advice and use it when taking pictures. She can create a huge impact on the way you look at something, and she is such a happy little person. I love her!

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What's one thing you love about photography?

I'm into that whole documenting thing with photography. I use it more as my own journal instead of actually considering it as photography. I don't have the best memory and I love how I can look back on a photo and remember every emotion I had felt at the time, whether I'm the subject of the picture or if I was taking the picture. When I take a picture I'm not taking a picture of just anything, theres much more than taking a picture. I think a lot of people would agree with me. But that is one thing that I love, it's a window to my life.

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If you could photograph one subject for the rest of your life what would it be?

Hands! I am in love with hands. I don't know if I'm considered a freak for this, but before I go about and decided if I like someone I've just met I look at their hands and observe them. I don't understand why I'm so interested in them, but well... I am and that's fine by me :]

Breakout: Shannon Lowe

S h a n n o n L o w e

from Virginia

"wowwowowowow!your stream is breathtaking.i would probally favorite everything but that would be weird..one of my fav. on flickr.cant wait to see more:)"-Beth

"i want to favorite all of her photos in her photostream.her photos are incredible. she is a great photographer and very creative. definitely, one of my favorites on flickr.:)"-Liz

Those are just the two of the amazing comments left by other people on Shannon's Flickr! Her work definately is amazing, and what I love the most is that she doesn't use some big name camera, which shows she does have talent. Please take a look at her work, you won't be disappointed. I promise.

Check out Shannon's Flickr:

Flickr

I n t e r v i e w:

Would you consider pursuing photography as a career? if so why?

I definitely would! i love taking pictures and whats better then a having a job where your doing what you love? I'm pretty sure being a photographer would be amazing, like getting paid to have fun.

what made you decide to pick up a camera?

It sounds lame but my reason was mitchel davis/livelavalive. im a huge youtube freak and when i saw his photostream on flickr i was totally blown away. i didn't know you could do such amazing things with just a camera. so i got really interested in photography and wanted to try it out.

what's your favorite thing about photography?

I'm really into art and to me photography is just another form of it. i love how it shows off your point of view. to me its amazing that you can tell two people to take pictures of the same thing and their photos can come out completely different.

Breakout: Cara Allen

C a r a A l l e n

from Washington

Cara Allen is seventeen, but don't let that keep you from seeing the talent this girl has. Her photos are beautiful and everyone one of them seems to tell a little story. If you haven't seen her work you should.

Check out her work on Flickr:
Flickr



"Cara.. oh my goodness her photographs inspire me soo much wow.. I just love her amazing work. She has a good eye for photography. Your amazing Cara :)
Love- Sam Morar"-Sam Morar

"your photography is so simple and i think thats how it should be, keep up the good work, your going somewhere.all your work is beautiful"-Ashley

I n t e r v i e w:

When did you first get into photography?

I've actually always been really into the arts. I just could never find what was right for me. A few months ago I really started looking at other peoples photography, and knew that that's what I wanted to do. I don't shoot with a dslr yet, and I have no real experience with photography so I still have so much to learn, but I've realized this is what I really love to do.

Who's your favorite photographer, if you have one?

Well I don't really have a favorite, but I get so much inspiration from the people on flickr. It's amazing to be able to go on every day and see what these amazing people have created. I love to see how other people can express themselves through their photography.

If you could photograph one person in the world who would it be?

I actually really want to be able to photograph bands one day. I think that they are all so different, and you can do so much with them. I listen to music a lot, and that's where I get most of my inspiration from. So being able to photograph my inspiration would be so amazing to me.

Lovely Sunday Mornings

New Blog. I'm hoping this will take off. Basically I want this blog to be a place for all photographers & artsy people.
I'll be posting tons of different stuff on here, but mainly I'd like to post up and coming talented kids. So, be sure to check back!

Thank you.