When I look at her photographs, I immediately know who created them. She has a distinctive style that I adore. There is a bit of grit and a bit of elegance all wrapped up in one beautifully haunting package. It is clear that she puts not only serious thought but also heart and soul into her art. That is why July's featured artist is : Nicki Bosch Photography How long have you been in business and how did you get your start in photography? I have always been interested in photography and have always taken “mental pictures” if that makes sense. Even as a child I would notice moments or light or elements that registered in my mind as a “beautiful image.” I was also always fascinated with vintage photographs. When other girls were collecting Barbies, I was collecting old photographs and tin types from antique shops and coveting vintage black and whites of my family. I took some photography classes in college, but really got into photography once our first child was born. I started my business about a year ago, though it is still a very causal effort. I mostly shoot for myself and my family and friennds. It’s my passion and my escape. Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking, photographing, and career path? I have so, so many favorite photographers who inspire and influence me. But Sally Mann & Herb Ritts are two of my absolute favorites for very different reasons. Sally Mann because her art is amazingly haunting and timeless. The way she captures expressions and mood and keeps things gritty and real, yet so beautiful, really speaks to me. I particularly love her wetplate work. I could stare at her images all day. I also love Herb Ritts because, for one, I’m a child of the 80s and he was THE photographer of the decade. His understated clean, graphic style, and the way he could evoke such strong emotion with gorgeous minimalism is amazingly inspiring. Every image is a work of art. I always have elements of both of their work in my mind when I shoot. How can I elevate this shot to make it more than just a picture? Is there a more unique and/or authentic angle? Where does the light hit and how can I use it to convey the subject’s emotion? How can the shapes and forms in this scene combine in the most pleasing way? (However, when you are shooting kids, as I usually am, most of this goes out the window!) A few other photographers I adore are Val Spring, Katy Tuttle, Paige Everson, Amber Privizzini and Alain Laboile – they all blow my mind on a daily basis. What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos? I wish I knew that it is not always top of the line equipment that makes a good photographer. Photography is an expensive hobby and you want to be able to buy that awesome new camera and lenses once you figure out which ones are right for you and your work. You need to understand the basics and know technically how to use the camera you have. Once you have that knowledge it becomes easier to shoot from the heart and capture the images you have in your head and your heart. What does photography mean to you? Photography for me means freezing time, just a little bit, and being able to hold on to something that is hard for me to let go of. I have 5 kids and they are all growing up so fast. But I can capture that little baby curl, or a gap-toothed little grin, or a certain look in their eyes that only I know. Childhood is so magical and painfully gorgeous, but it feels like it is over in an instant. Photography is my personal time in a bottle. What is the best part about being a photographer? Being able to do my favorite thing pretty much everywhere I go. If you could shoot with any photographer in the world, who would it be and why? Oh gosh! That is so hard. But gun to my head I would have to say Sally Mann. I would love to have her teach me wet plate collodion processing - but just to talk with her and get inside her head when she shoots would be an amazing experience. What is your favorite image you have taken to date? I can’t answer that. It’s like Sophie’s Choice! I have 5 kids and I have a few favorites of all of them. : ) How do you feel about breaking the perceived rules of photography?
I have never been much of a rule follower in any respect. And I capture the beauty around me the way my “mental pictures” have always guided me. If my images are technically flawed, or hopefully, fantastically flawed, I’m more than okay with that.
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