Sharon Covert is a New Jersey based fine art, self portrait artist. Her work is dark, mysterious, and so gorgeous it slays me! I've enjoyed watching her grow as an artist. She definitely has a unique point of view that always stops me in my tracks whenever I see her images. It comes as no surprise that Sharon has a musical background, as her images have a lyrical quality that makes them almost hum. ~ Sarah You can see more of her stunning collections by following these links: Website How long have you been in business and how did you get your start in photography? I was brought up with a musical background and taught piano lessons for over 20 years, but photography was always a part of my life due to my father’s influence. It wasn’t until 2007 that I began taking a serious interest in photography. I didn’t know where I wanted to go with it at first, but I had a serious hunger to learn as much as I could. Over the past couple of years I finally found my vision and voice in this art. It was a process! Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking, photographing, and career path? I’ve had so many photographers influence me throughout the different stages of this process. Over the past 2 years or so I would say Tytia Habing, and Michelle Gardella have had huge impacts on me. I know they seem completely different, but they have each had a positive influence on my art in their own way. Of course it’s wonderful to study great masters from the past, and I certainly do that, but I also feel we have some amazing artists right now who make an incredible impact on art today. What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos? I wish I had given myself the freedom and permission to create what I wanted, and to not worry about what others would think. When I started, I felt I had to do what everyone else was doing to fit in and be successful. What does photography mean to you? Photography means being able to express everything inside of me. Maybe you’ll understand it. Maybe you won’t. But it feels so good to be able to express it either way. I need it. It’s an essential part of my life. What is the best part about being a photographer? For me, the best part is being able to create art, document my story and that of my family. If you could shoot with any photographer in the world, who would it be and why? Well I’m meeting Michelle Gardella this July, so I’m going to cheat and choose two. Tytia Habing and Niki Boon. Tytia's connection with nature has me in awe. The way both Tytia and Niki capture their children in their environments is an art form in itself. If I could go into the past it would be Francesca Woodman for sure. My most recent work has been focused on self portraits. What is your favorite image you have taken to date? I think I have a love hate relationship with my art. I love it one day and not the next. I’m constantly changing the images on my walls for that very reason. There is one image though that has remained on my wall for about 8 years. I had little knowledge of what I was doing with a camera back then, and had no idea I would end up shooting primarily black and white images, yet it’s a black and white image of my son and daughter. They were playing in the leaves and she had thrown leaves in his eyes accidentally. They are face to face and he’s rubbing his eyes while she is looking at him with the most concerned of looks. They hadn’t been brother and sister for that long. We had just recently adopted her from Vietnam, and they were still getting to know each other. I love everything about it. How do you feel about breaking the perceived rules of photography?
Breaking the perceived rules of photography allows me to feel free to be who I truly am. I am flawed and broken by nature. Aren't we all? When I make an image my way, it allows me to feel deeply, and gives the viewer a peek into my mind and the way I see things.
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