The images in Libby Loo Photography were astoundingly
feminine with a highway of the masculine. Her body of work
is driven by questions I wanted answers to. Our recent
collaboration began with the symbiotic notion to create and
that is when my curiosity was pricked to be in the presence of
meadows, warm sunlight, and grounded laughter with her.
She is a professional, there is no doubt about it. The following
is an interview, she took the time to answer, and here is a touch
into her world.
*What is your name, links and history to the introduction
of Libby Loo Photography?
of Libby Loo Photography?
I've
always played a part in the art world, from the ages
of three to
thirteen I was singing professionally as well as dancing
(tap,ballet and
hip hop). This led to theater and acting in my teens;
my most memorable
performance being Maria in West Side Story.
I dabbled in auto
mechanics, as well as the hair and makeup industry
before finally
landing at my passion: photography.
Libby Loo is entirely a fictitious name. It's used by everyone
so I sometimes forget it isn't my actual name :P
In
third grade I went from being an Ashley to Libby.
I needed a name with
individuality and Ashley just never felt right.
After high school, I
went to beauty school, where my friend Caley
called me 'Libby Loo Who'
as a joke inspired by Dr. Suess.
Two years later, I became really sick
with what I know now to be
an autoimmune disorder. Bed ridden and bored
out of my mind,
I played in my room with my Canon Rebel xti and started
editing
self portraits for a Flickr community. After I started getting
some
positive feedback, I started contemplating a catchy business name
as Libby Smith seemed dull and boring. Libby Loo rolled off the tongue
nicely and I created my first logo as two pink donuts in the L 'oo'.
Conceptual work with a flair of fun was and has been my inspiration
from
the very beginning.
I've officially been Libby Loo Photography for five
years now!
You can find me on almost every social network!
My website is: www.Libbyloophotography.com
*What tools do you use with your work?
I started out kind of backwards. I self-
learned Adobe Photoshop
by books, tutorials and workshops since I was 14
years old
and then in a high school photo class, I learned technical
camera
information and lighting. I've been working with Canon digital
equipment and relying heavily upon Photoshop to create the style
I like. I'm very much a DIY person, so I made my own light set ups,
backdrops,
props, etc. I dove head first into photography with a
mindset that the
more I shot, the better I would get. Because
I started out without
money for pro lighting equipment,
I learned how to work with natural
light and I still prefer it
even though I own nice calumet lights.
The past few months I've been studying film
photography
night and day and I plan to make the switch in my personal
work in September. After I'm comfortable and confident with it,
I'll
integrate it into client sessions and paid work.
*Clarify the journey of where you are now
with your photography?
In all honesty, I'm in a very spiritual place with
photography right now.
This past year, I took some time off and really
connected to who I am,
what I want to spend my time doing. My autoimmune
disorder caused
painful arthritis in my right hand, which made me
re-think my heavy
editing process. Sitting at a computer all day- every
day, has become
a health issue for me (besides the fact it gets old,
very quickly).
I've stopped producing what I would label as 'safe'
work,
that I feel I fell into last year. I was consistently producing
quick work
for my clients, that I ended up losing my sense of style.
Now
I'm reading inspiring books that explain how every artist
goes through
this awakening period, and I think I just experienced
my epiphany.
Suddenly I looked around me and realized I've gotten rid of the
negativity in my life and surrounded myself with passionate people
who
are wholeheartedly supportive, non-judgmental and positive.
Because of
this, I've lost my nasty,toxic fear of being wrong.
Instead, I'm
choosing to let the beauty of what I love, be what I do.
And if
other people like it, fantastic! If not, well that's okay too.
I don't
mean to keep rambling, but one of my 'aha' moments,
was realizing that
the personal work I've done in the past
that came from my heart,
happened to get the most attention
publicly. I think that's what's
inspired me to focus on what resonates
with my soul. I just want people
to feel something when they look
at my work. And if that person is just
me, I'm okay with that.
*Inspiration, deep secrets, or special projects you wish
to be a part of now?
My
current inspiration is coming from nature, simplicity, paintings,
and
metaphysics. I've shifted my energy from being a control
freak/ worry
wart to just letting go and trusting that the universe
will guide me and
take care of me. So far, the changes in my life
have inspired me to
challenge myself and do more things that scare me.
Music is a daily
priority, I'm always hunting for new artists that inspire
and make me
envision images. Portugal the Man, Bjork, Muse,
Radiohead, and Pinback
are some of my current favorites.
Deep
secret: I don't have money. But I have heart.
I worked for free for far
too long- it landed me in the hole.
But you live and learn!
Special Project: Libby Loo FILM style. Quite a new adventure for me!
In 5 years, I hope to be traveling the world, with a camera in hand.
But currently, I'm developing my photojournalism skills and hoping
to photograph more children. I truly enjoy their honesty and curiosity;
it inspires me to always see life through the eyes of a child.
