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Anya, how did you become interested in photography?

I took my first class junior year in high school; I worked on the yearbook staff as a sports photographer. I’ve always thought about what career I’d choose, and I can’t say that photography stood out in my mind before entering college. In high school I participated in a number of internships that included working with a chef, a homeopathic doctor, a nature oriented elementary school, and therapists at a spa. Through it all I decided that whatever career path I choose, it must be flexible and creative. I romanticized the idea of being a photographer. I say romanticize because everyone thinks of being a photographer as a very “sexy” occupation. You say you’re a photographer and you show your images; it’s a very vogue feeling. The reality behind the scenes is that it can physically be a very strenuous job—but nonetheless, gratifying. My goal though is to form a more holistic approach, which I’ll talk more about further into the interview.  
 

Have you had any formal training or are you self-taught? Please tell us
about it.
 

I took at least one class each quarter during college, as long as it was offered. There weren’t many options for me at Fairhaven. Often I would create an independent study project, in which I’d give myself assignments—such as taking portraits at the local yoga studio for credit. 
 

Who have been your most influential mentors and why?
 

Pete Kendall, who worked at the Bellingham Herald, took me under his wing and taught me how to “work a scene”…to be confident using my equipment, and how to really get in there, I mean, how to physically get close to a subject. That’s photojournalism. He was good, undoubtedly the best photographer on staff at the newspaper.  Because of him, I eventually became a freelancer.

What have been some of your most successful projects?
 

My first exhibit was successful; the response was good; what’s most important though is for me to be happy with the end result, and thankfully I was. You never know when trying something for the first time. I displayed the black and white yoga portraits in the front lobby of the studio.

I love high-key lighting, that is, photos with lots of white light that makes the image glow. These photos where made with an all white background and natural looking side light.

Children are always fun to photograph. They’re not afraid of the camera. My favorite image was published in a book called Washington 24/7, of two girls standing in tall grass, looking right up at the camera and giggling—their spirits really shown through. And aesthetically the composition was very pleasing. Their hair blew in the wind with the grass; it was like taking a photo of little earth spirits.

I like photojournalism so much because it teaches you how to catch emotion.

If you’re not working with trained models it can be very difficult. Models know how to act for the camera. But the everyday person doesn’t need to act. An emotional photo can be made when you tune into a persons personality.

What are you currently working on?

I spent the last two months interning with a commercial photographer. That’s something I do NOT want to pursue. I’ve realized how draining it can be; since the photography industry has turned to digital, so much time is spent in front of a computer. I’d like to go back to film. Otherwise I’ll forever be spending money on the most recent technology.

Of course, I wouldn’t mind working for Mother Jones magazine. Staff photographers are provided with their equipment and don’t have to worry about spending so much time editing…and definitely not about the computer problems. How nice would it be to have an on-call tech? I’d love it. Working as the photo-editor for the Planet magazine was convenient in that way, even though it was a student run publication. Being on staff has it’s up and downs.

Where do you see yourself going with your photography?

I’d like to create a signature style and market myself as an artist. It’s all about the presentation. A lot of it will be the way I’d like to hang my photos, that is pressed between glass, using clean edges with no actual frame, and then suspending them from the ceiling with sleek steel wire. I’ll have the option of lining up many in a row or displaying a collage of photos that hang at different levels. There are a lot of possibilities this way. My photos will be like an open storybook. I’ll feel freer creating anything from abstract images to family portraits because the display will create continuity. It will also help me draw people’s eyes through the images. With photography it’s easy for work to get stuck between the pages of a closed book or stuffed in albums. I want my creativity to manifest into centerpieces.  

 
Do you have any helpful tips or advice for anyone who's interested in
becoming a photographer?

Find a niche for yourself. First get the technical skills down. Then go for what inspires you. Oh, and find a way to make good money selling your work without selling your soul! Just kidding. But truthfully, it’s hard making a living off your art while staying true to your creative incentives. That’s why I’m going for an art management degree. I’m a bit business savvy. I don’t want to work for anyone who’ll tell me what to do. I’ll eventually start a non-profit organization, so that I can open a gallery with grant money. It’s important for us to support each other as artists. I imagine creating a community where artists can come together through the gallery.  It’s all about having a vision, and of course taking the steps to making it a reality. I guess that’s true with anything. I’d definitely say it explains my existence.

You can contact Anya by sending her an email at: anyatraisman@gmail.com. 

All works are copyright.  Permission to use these images in any way must be obtained from the artist.