Once upon a time there was this beautiful blonde young woman who searched for and chased something more meaningful. Was it love? Purpose? Only the young girl knew. The story of the young woman takes place in a romantic era where dream and reality blend together in breathtaking images captured by Follow Me Away. Follow Me Away (followmeaway) is a project between photographer, Terrance Drysdale, and model, Victoria Yore, who hope that their images cause their viewers to reflect on their own lives and identify what they themselves are searching for or chasing in life. The Viewbug team loves new and unique ideas and wanted to know more about Terrance and Victoria and their project!
What inspired you to be a photographer/model?
TJ: I was always inspired by nature. I started off in cinematography and gradually drifted to still photography when my grandparents gave me my first camera for Christmas. I am inspired by my surroundings and am constantly searching for new sources of inspiration in nature and in my daily life.
VY: If you want me to be completely honest, it is the fact that I get to dress up in pretty gowns and capture beautiful moments that will be remembered forever. I modelled as a young child, but really got back into it in my 20âs as a fun hobby.
What was your first camera and what do you shoot with today?
TJ: My first camera was a Sony a100 and I currently shoot with Sony A99.
When someone looks at your photos, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
TJ/VY: When someone looks at our photos, we are hoping that they will tell their own story from the image. In our photos, the model is often running or âsearchingâ for something. We hope that our images cause viewers to reflect on their own lives and identify what they themselves are searching for or chasing in life.
What is it that you love about photography?
TJ: Photography allows me to express my feelings/emotions with one click of the shutter. It allows me to tell stories that I could never tell otherwise.
What has photography done for you?
TJ: It's done a lot for me! I have met fantastic people, travelled to beautiful locations, and has given me the opportunity to speak in front of and share my craft with others.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photo?Â
TJ/VY: Â It really depends on the mood! We have gone for a specific âconceptualâ feel before, but most of the time it really is all about depicting the emotion behind the moment in the photo.
How do you describe your style?
TJ/VY: Romantic. Ethereal. Haunting. Dreamy.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
TJ: 50mm. All day. Every day.
What are your 3 tips for others who want to become photographers/models?
TJ:Â 1)Â Keep shooting no matter what, you learn something new every time,
2) Look to others for inspiration, but trust yourself,
3) Always shoot in the best light possible.
VY: 1) Persevere, but be respectful,
2) Network and work with lots of people,
3) Listening to others is great, but do what you know is best for you!
Have you received negative feedback from your work? What did you do about it?
TJ: Yes! I listened to what people have said, and implemented their feedback into my next project. I generally listen to what people have to say.
VY: As a model, I have received tons of negative feedback surrounding shooting and traveling with the same person (TJ). I have heard it all. That I am limiting myself. That agencies donât like this kind of work. That my portfolio will be limited if I donât work with more photographers. For a while, it was something I struggled with, but I eventually came to terms with the fact that Terrence and I bring out the best in each otherâs work and that was enough for me. What did I do about it? Ignored the haters and kept on shooting!
Where did you learn to take photos?
TJ: I learned to take photos outside on a boardwalk/nature preserve in my neighborhood.
Raw vs jpg and why?
TJ: Always Raw because you can get the most out of your photo without losing much quality.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
TJ: Sony A99 camera. Sony 50mm Tamron 70-200mm Sony 85mm Samyang 35mm.
VY: Everything!
What is the most common mistake you see people making when shooting these days?
TJ: Shooting at bad times of the day.
VY: Shooting at âhigh noonâ in the blaring sun, using the wrong settings!
What is your dream location to shoot?
TJ: A rocky beach with high waves, sunset, a storm looming, and a shipwreck in the background!
VY: The Faroe Islands or Greenland!
How do you decide on where to shoot a photo?
TJ/VJ: We donât really decide on the location, many times, the location picks us! Most of our shoots are completely unplanned and spur of the moment. We have no idea what each location will hold, but when we see a landscape we are inspired to shoot at, we stop and do just that. If we know we are traveling somewhere, we may Google search potential natural locations, but the best locations are often found when we stumble upon them when hiking.
What is next for you? Any planned adventures with your camera?
TJ/VY: The Pacific Northwest, eight days in Iceland, and a one-way flight to Europe!
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