Delving into the world of photography with an artist’s lens, the interview with photographer Sophie Harris Taylor.
Additionally, this interview highlights her journey with the evolution of passion into a unique style that resonates with social relevance.
As we look into her insights, experiences, and perspectives, we understand how her photographic endeavors have been shaped by personal growth, artistic exploration, and a commitment to addressing vital societal issues.
Although, from the early years of capturing candids to the remarkable projects that have earned her a spotlight on various platforms, Sophie’s narrative offers a captivating glimpse into the intricate tapestry of her artistry.
In this interview with the photographer, let’s look at Sophie’s answers and perspectives.
Q1. Can you tell us about your journey as a photographer and how you developed your unique style?
Ans. I think it comes over time, as you develop and grow as a person, you start finding your own interests, and that’s really always been the starting point for most of my practice.
But I always loved taking pictures – even from a super young age, I used to hide behind the camera, capturing my friends as teenagers before anyone had cameras on their phone.
Only later, when I was studying fine art, I started to think about it in more of an artistic way.
Q2. How do you approach building a connection with your subjects when capturing intimate moments in your photography?
Ans. To take someone’s picture is a real privilege, and I’m always aware of that. And how vulnerable that person can and might feel in that moment.
Making conversation and opening up to that person allows that person to perhaps do the same, we have an open dialogue, no conversations off the table.
I’m always interested in that person’s story and like to ask questions, so even if I’m with them for 30 minutes, I still feel there’s a connection there.
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Q3. Additionally, What advice would you give to emerging photographers who are looking to develop their niche in the industry?
Ans. Be open to be inspired by anything, don’t just look at other photographers work. Also, practice and don’t get caught up on the technicalities too much or the aesthetic.
Although, it won’t necessarily be your first project that gets you noticed, but keep practicing your craft, refining your ideas and if you believe in them others will probably follow in time.
Q4. Your photographs often feature strong themes related to social justice and diversity. How do you balance that with creating a visually appealing image?
Ans. For me the idea mostly comes first before thinking about the image I can create with it. I’m also often thinking and taking into account the context for that image and how important it is to the subject.
Whether it’s a studio based project or something captured in more of a natural domestic space, light always plays a big role.
Q5. In this interview with photographer highlight your project, Epidermis, which showcases the unique and diverse stories of individuals through portrait photography. Can you tell us more about this project and what inspired you to create it?
Ans. It came from a lived experience. I had suffered severe acne throughout my teens and twenties and I’d never felt represented in any kind of imagery.
This had a negative impact on my self-esteem. I wanted to make a body of work that highlighted common skin conditions in a beautiful way.
Making others feel beautiful and less alone in their skin. I wanted the imagery to be similar to something we would see in a beauty magazine.
I liked the idea and juxtaposition of this. Prior to this, pretty much all skin on show in magazines and in the media was flawless.
I interviewed all of the subjects about their story and how they felt in their skin. For most of them, taking part in the project was a really liberating and poignant moment.
Q6. Your work has been featured in several high-profile publications, such as Vogue, Dazed, and Nowhere Magazine. Has your photography approach changed at all due to gaining more visibility in the industry?
Ans. Not at all, I feel incredibly lucky to have had my work shown in these kinds of publications. Their reach is far greater than mine.
The more people who can relate and connect means the more understanding and conversations will open up and become less stigmatized.
But even now, I don’t make the work for the publications really I make the work because I want to explore a subject more, often it’s for more selfish reasons and initially for my own curiosities and preoccupations.
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Q7. You have spoken out about the photography industry’s lack of diversity and representation. What steps do you believe need to be taken to create a more inclusive industry?
Ans. I think it starts early, in school, before kids are choosing their subject pathways. We see it in art school and on art foundations, there’s a real lack of diversity.
It’s a hard industry to crack, and there’s not really one pathway to a job which means it’s risky. I think it also comes from agencies and photographers making sure as much as they can their team of people around them is diverse.
Q8. Could you walk us through your approach to post-processing and editing your images? How do you achieve the final product that you envision in your mind?
Ans. I use and do very little post production, especially when working on film. I think its important to try and capture as much in camera as possible. Also, I might do a slight crop or color balance.
Q9. What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a photographer, and how do you overcome them?
Casting can be really challenging, especially when working on my own personal assignments. It’s always really hard to get diversity which is think is always so important when working on subject matters that speak to a wide audience.
I also find it hard to push myself out my comfort zone and challenge myself with new ways of working.
Overcoming these things, I guess, keep going, keep ploughing through even when you feel like giving up and like you’re constantly hitting brick walls.
Talking my work through with friends and my partner and kind of getting reassurance for what can often be quite a solitary project really helps.
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Q10. In your opinion, what is the role of photography in society and how do you hope your work will impact viewers?
Photography plays such a big role in society – we’re bombarded with imagery every day more now than ever before.
We absently minded scroll through so many images – often, it’s the first thing we do when we wake up and the last thing at night.
I think it’s harder than ever for images to have an impact in the same way. Yet I think we’re so influenced by what we see and take in.
I hope my work can be noticed, understood, and thought about. Perhaps making books and showing work in exhibitions means we give the work a bit more space and time.
I care, and I’m passionate about the themes in my work, and I guess in an ideal world, others would care too.
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Q11. Additionally, your photography often captures raw and authentic emotions. How do you capture these moments while respecting your subjects’ privacy and boundaries?
Ans. I think it’s about keeping things open and honest. Especially from the start, so the people I’m photographing are aware of the wider context of the work and the reason I’m making the work.
Working with others means for me a real collaboration and conversation between us. I know I’m often working with extremely vulnerable people and I always take that very seriously.
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Q12. What excites you the most about the current state of the photography industry?
Ans. I think that anyone can kind of do it and have a platform and a voice. It kind of means we’re able to see work from all over the world from such a diverse group of individuals.
But it also means it’s completely oversaturated, so there’s a lot of content out there, too – so it can be hard to find the gems.
Q13. What projects are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you in the near future?
I’m currently working on a project about the rise in injectables and an ongoing body of work about people in recovery from eating disorders.
I’m also working on a new book which I’m hoping to self-publish at the end of the year.
Q14. Lastly, in terms of guidance, what advice would you give aspiring photographers and artists struggling to find their unique voice in the industry?
I think to try and not get too caught up on that being specifically the aim. And to focus on doing work, finding subjects that inspire them, things they want to explore or investigate.
Practice the craft, set short term projects, test shoot with friends or in your spare time. Also, research is really important and can really help influence your practice and ideas.
Conclusion:
Although Sophie Harris Taylor’s remarkable odyssey through photography shines a light on the profound impact an artist can wield.
Her advice serves as a guiding compass for aspiring photographers and artists. Additionally, it encourages them to embrace their unique visions and forge a path that resonates with their passions.
As a result, through her lens, Sophie illuminates the importance of capturing moments, emotions, narratives, and shared human experiences that truly reflect the essence of our complex world.
To view more of her work, click here.
