Say hi to AbbyMathison a fine art photographer in Dallas, Texas. I love to bringing dreams to life and we can see that in her photos.
What inspired you to be a photographer?
Iāve always loved art and I discovered photography when I was a teenager. My dad gave me his old Canon AE-1 camera and several lenses. From then on I photographed just about anything that would hold still long enough! When my first son was born I discovered my passion for portrait photography. I was so in love with him and I wanted to capture every little thing he did in a meaningful and artistic way.
What was your first camera and what do you shoot with today?
My first camera was a Canon AE-1 film camera that had been my fatherās before I was born. Now I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III and a variety of lenses.
When someone looks at your photos, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
I hope to leave the viewer with a sense of wonder, whimsy, and delight. Even if the image has a bit of a darker message I still approach it in a light way. In order to maintain my own sense of well being I strive to be a very positive person and I think that is reflected in my work. I also hope I can show them something unexpected.
What is it that you love about photography?
I love the versatility of the medium. There is no one way to take pictures. Itās literally about your point of view and how you see the world around you. Even portraiture says more about the person behind the camera then in front of it I think. I also love the power of photography to inform and illuminate concepts for the viewer.
What has photography done for you?
Photography gave me voice to say the things I wanted to say. Iām a very quiet and shy kind of person and pictures have the power to say all of the things I want to say but canāt. Itās also given me an incredibly valuable visual record of my life and the lives of the people I love. Several years ago my younger brother died. Pictures of him became precious reminders that he was, that he lived. Sometimes his friends would send us pictures they had of him and each one was the most valuable gift they could have given us. After a while there were no new images and all the images we did have are more precious than gold. This is probably why I love āpeople picturesā more than any other type of photography. When a photograph is all you have left of a person you loved, you begin to understand exactly how valuable a photograph really is!
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photo?
Both. Sometimes my images are more conceptual in nature other times they are more emotional. Most of the time they are both at the same time. I find it difficult to separate those two things.
How do you describe your style?
I would describe my style as whimsical, emotional, or dream like. I try very hard not to take myself too seriously! I also think my style comes from a very feminine point of view.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
I love my Canon 70-200mm 2.8! I love the compression and creamy bokeh that you can get with it. Because itās a telephoto lens, I also think it gives my images a voyeuristic feel, as though the viewer is a witness to a moment rather than a part of it.
What are your 3 tips for others who want to become portrait photographers?
Practice, practice, practice. Get out there and photograph people if you want to be a portrait photographer. Figure out how you like photographing them best and what works best for your personality and style. There are all different kinds of portrait photography. The only way you will find what works best for you is to become prolific.
Have you received negative feedback from your work? What did you do about it?
Of course! Anyone who has ever put their work out for review has gotten a negative feedback. No one starts out a professional and you will always have something to learn. When I get a negative feedback, especially on an image I was really proud of, I step back and let my emotions calm down. Then, when Iām ready, I try to look at what was said and evaluate if they actual have a point or not. If I keep hearing the same thing over and over from different people and in different places I begin to question whether or not the image is working in the way I wanted it to or not. I try not to think of images as āgood or ābadā but rather as successful or unsuccessful. Does the image say to the viewer what I want it to say? If not, how can I correct any mistakes I made so that the viewer can hear what I was trying to say? I also know a few people whoās opinions I can listen to and whom I know have my best interest at heart. If I really want constructive criticism I turn to them first before I put the image out for public consumption. I also try very hard not to put an image out before Iām ready to.
Where did you learn to take photos?
I learned the basics in college and then continued after that with independent study and trial and error. I would say that I am 80% self taught.
Raw vs jpg and why?
I absolutely shoot in raw. A raw file is so much more editable than a jpg that it doesnāt make sense to me to shoot in jpg anymore.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
I always have my Canon 5D Mark III body, Canon 24-70mm 2.8 lens, Canon 70-200mm 2.8 lens, Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, and Canon 580ex ii speedlight. I find that equipment is versatile enough to get most of the images I want to take. I have a few more specialty lenses but I donāt carry them around with me all the time.
If you could have the gift of a great photographer who would it be and why?
There are so many great photographers I love itās difficult to narrow it down! I would love to follow Annie Leibowitz or Sue Bryce around for a day! They are both incredible portrait photographers and Iād love to pick their brain!
What is the most common mistake you see people making when shooting these days?
The biggest mistake I see photographers making is giving up when they get negative feedback on the internet. Donāt let the negativity of others dictate how you shoot or how you live your life. Be who you are and do what you love!
What is your dream location to shoot?
There are so many places Iād love to shoot! I live in a very warm place so I think I might like to shoot a portrait session on a glacier! That sounds like it would be super fun!
How do you decide on where to shoot a photo?
First and foremost I look at the light in any place I shoot. After that I look for locations that have the right look and feel for whatever image Iām trying to shoot.
What is next for you? Any planned adventures with your camera?
I have a few fine art images in mind that Iām working on right now. Mostly though Iām taking things one day at a time and seeing what I see!
What is your goal with your photography?
My goal is always to create images that interest me. At the end of the day, that is what I really want, I want to be interested in my own images. Art is a journey of self reflection and Iād like that journey to be interesting!
