After an amazing workshop in New York last year, it was time to rock Seattle in October 2017.  We had so much fun and want to share with you some awesome impressions that took place around our CHOO CHOO Camp week. Thank you to every attendee, speaker, model-couple and partner, who made this week special.

ABIGAIL KENT

AMY TAYLOR

Bermé Jordaan

Dan & Michelle Fox

Daniel Aaron Sprague

JOSH REXFORD

Katie Salerno

Kelley McKenzie

Kelly Lemon Vizcaino

Kristen Giles

Lathan J. Ford

Laura Babb

Leslie Jennings

Matthias Jaworski

Mellissa Receveur

Monika Grzelak

Noémi Jánossy

Paul Woo

River G. West

Seth Langner

Stephanie Baroni Cook

Stephanie Kotaniemi

Stephanie Moikeha

Taylor Mitchell-Sadler

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UK based photographer Alex James, approaches his work scientifically; a quest to discover what triggers human emotion through visual sense.  A former stonemason and bricklayer, Alex made the switch 6 years ago to doing what he loves – teaching himself to shoot – and working to live, so he can spend every precious moment in life with his loved ones, especially his family.  Alex’s work brings drama and cinematic atmosphere into life – making ordinary moments and landscapes extraordinary.

Alex will be speaking at at Choo Choo Camp this October, 10 – 13th 2016, in NYC! If you want to hear him speak, sign up and confirm your ticket here.

1. What does making images mean to you?

Our most dominant sense as human beings is our sense of sight. “Research estimates that eighty to eighty five percent of our perception, learning, cognition and activities are mediated through vision”

I am intrigued by why a person wants to look at an image. I’ve concluded that it comes down to two main things, an emotional connection to the image or an attraction to the artistic nature or beauty of the image. A recent study showed an increase in blood flow to a certain part of the brain when the viewer looks at images with one or both of those factors. I try to remember those things when making pictures. There has to be a why?

2. What is life to you? What it should be?

This is something I’ve thought a lot about. It’s essentially a statistical impossibility that we even exist. Whether you believe we have overcome these incredible odds by natural forces or by the hand of a higher intelligence, it doesn’t matter. Life is a Miracle! A privilege we should cherish. Accepting that helps us to recognise that every single person is special and has equal right to love and respect. No one person is better than another.

I live my life with this in mind. I live to enjoy experiences and relationships, especially with those who I love, my family and friends. I want to make the most of my short stint of existence in time.

3. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

I haven’t always been a photographer. I spent the first 20 years of my working life in construction. I am a stonemason and bricklayer by trade. It’s only the last 6 years or so  that I’ve been making a living through photography. A very different career. It’s a very pleasant change. I enjoy it and as the saying goes “if you do a job you love, you will never work a day in your life”

4. How much is your family an influence on the way you view life, see things?

They completely influence my view and way of doing things. I had a quite a difficult childhood in terms of relationships etc. I never had a Dad around and spent my whole childhood planning for being one.

I am now a dad to 3 awesome kids and have a beautiful, supporting wife. I want to enjoy every single moment I can with them and live my life in a way that makes that happen. I work to live and not the other way around.

I’m not interested in materialism or success in the generally accepted sense of the word. I am only interested in happiness…..which is what they give me.

5. Are you creativity satisfied at the moment?

Probably not. I’m never completely satisfied with my work and I’m always self-criticising and looking to improve. I think that this is normal and probably necessary to prevent stagnation.

6. What are you reading now?

I don’t get much down time to read but I’ve just finished “Road To Seeing” by Dan Winters. A masterpiece!

7. Have you had any mentors along the way?

No not really. I’m completely self-taught. If anything, I was probably moulded by some brutally honest people on photography forums in the early days.

8. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

I’ve always wanted to document the lives of homeless people. A series of photographs with accompanying stories. I’ve had a number of conversations with homeless people and some of their stories are sobering. I think there is value in them being heard. I’d also really like to see a little more of this beautiful world before I check out. A people in landscape series is something I’d like to do

9. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

I shoot with my right eye. I had an accident at work before I took up photography that left me pretty much blind in my left eye. It’s about 20% functional. Good job I had a spare one.

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

I’d definitely get more involved with other photographers, earlier. In the beginning I never appreciated the value of connecting with other photographers.

I’ve since come to realise there is a great network of support and encouragement out there in the photographic community. We are often very isolated in this job, so it’s good to form friendships with, be supported by and inspired, by other like-minded people

11.  Bonus Q: Do you think the gear you use affects the way you photograph? Why? 

I’ve been using Nikon equipment from the beginning; I’m very comfortable with the system. But I don’t think it affects the way I work

It’s just a tool for the job.

If you have a clear vision of what you want to produce I don’t think it matters.

FIELD NOTES:

I wasn’t schooled on film and came straight into photography through the Digital medium; I have no nostalgic attachment to film. Digital images are cheaper to create and actually very good quality these days, so I’m happy to shoot it exclusively. The film presets available also do a very good emulation job if you want to get that type of look. Digital is a lot less hassle for me.

I use my own custom presets for most of my work although I am a little obsessed with the LXC Presets by Tribe Archipelago at the moment.

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Florida based photographer Twyla Jones is guided by moments in life that really speak to her, creating images that resonate with others. Twyla made her transition working as a Biologist at a Pathology Lab to a full time photographer. She decided photography was what she wanted to do when she started documenting moments with her own children. Twyla’s work is both honest and surreal to me; it evokes emotions that hit you deep down and leave an imprint.

Twyla will be speaking at at Choo Choo Camp this October, 10 – 13th 2016, in NYC! If you want to hear her speak, sign up and confirm your ticket here.

1. What do making images mean to you?

I’m choosing the moments in life that really speak to me that I want to live on.  Moments I feel are so powerful they deserve to be felt again. More often than not these moments are originating from embraces, glances, fleeting moments that have never been photographed but that I’ve experienced and feel compelled to share.

2. What is life to you? What it should be?

Life to me is pursuing what it is that makes me feel like I am living. For me this is being with my children and watching as they discover new amazing things every day. This is also the pursuit of adventure and beauty through all living things. Creating images that speak to me and seeing them resonate with someone else is incredibly fulfilling.   

3. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

I honestly just stumbled into it. I have a degree in Human Biology and have been working at a Pathology Lab in my hometown for ages. As long as I can remember I’ve had some type of camera in my hand attempting to record the events around me. Once my children were born I finally decided to get serious and have some say in how my images looked beyond what i was seeing in the frame. After a few months a friend asked me to photograph her son and I’ve just said yes to everything since that day. I have been so fortunate to receive some incredible support from my family and friends, without which I could not have obsessively taken on this craft.

4. How much is your family an influence on the way you view life, see things?

In absolutely every single way. I’ve always kind of felt like I was still living in my little kid head (something my mother nurtured incredibly well) so it’s a pleasure having my little boys to share things with. I’m still fascinated by bugs and berries and anything under a rock. There is something so powerful that happens after you have children and every embrace and tug and plea seems incredibly precious and I think I have a heightened awareness of that now.

5. Are you creativity satisfied at the moment?

Incredibly. I’ve found that shooting for myself has been the best thing I have done in my photographic journey, better than any holdfast or preset even. There is something so freeing about getting as weird as you want and having the courage to shoot in new kinds of light and settings.

6. What music are you listening to?

The dreamiest of dreamy music, haha. My favourite at the moment is GAPS – I know it’s you but i also listen to a lot of José González, Alt-J, and Bon Iver, with a little Portishead and Flaming Lips mixed in to keep it weird. I like for my images to feel the way this music makes me feel. If you’d like to fall asleep you can find my dreamy playlist on Spotify.

7. Describe your path to what you’re doing now.

I am really trying to listen to what is in my head and heart and I have to remark that sometimes that can be incredibly difficult to do being inundated by such incredible images day in and day out. I think it’s important to let that inspiration just flow through you. Whatever sparked something within you will stay with you and you have to trust that all the right things will be conjured up in a unique way just for you when the moment presents itself.  

8. Have you had any mentors along the way?

I actually haven’t really even had any photographer friends until just recently and that is such an incredible thing to finally be a part of.  My friend Anne has been an incredible support to me navigating through the world of websites and branding, weird ideas and terrible pictures, amazing brides and whatever you’d like to call the opposite of that, haha. She was brave enough to pick up a camera and second shoot some weddings with me with only a very brief photography lesson from me and she really has been all around amazing. Sometimes just having someone around to tell you you’re not awful when you’re afraid you might be is all you need.

9. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

I had to take a picture to know, it’s the right!

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 year’s time?  

Hopefully doing a lot more of this but in some more amazing places!  I want to see and experience everything. I’m dying to share new cultures and  experiences with my children.  I would like to become more of an asset to the photography community and have something of value to contribute. It can be so difficult pouring yourself into your work and i think it’s incredibly important that we are here for one another and cheering each other on to be better every day. Everyone needs that.

Bonus Q: Do you think the gear you use affects the way you photograph? Why?

To an extent. I think i can still express emotion with the camera on my phone but to really take you into the moment i just need a lens to take me around 1.8  Of course I have gear I prefer to do this with and that make it a lot easier.  My gear of choice at the moment is a nikon d750 and sigma art 35.  I have other cameras and lenses but this is really all i want. The freedom i have when i’m not tied down with other lenses and accessories allows me to really focus on the moment. Oh-My-God. I also have to mention the amazing little couch editing desk my fiancé Gary made me. I learned everything I know sitting at this thing while nursing an infant and to this day I’m way more productive editing from a couch than a desk.

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Based in Anglet, Southwestern of France, Thierry Joubert shoots weddings worldwide. To Thierry, life is about building real connections with people, be it family or the couples he meets and photographs. Inspired by memories of a nomadic life, Thierry blends childlike openness, and philosophical ideas of trace and sign, with a skill for telling other people’s stories. Unafraid of dreaming big – Thierry’s work showcases his mastery of light and the depth of human emotions.

Editor’s Update: Thierry will be speaking at Choo Choo Camp this October, 10 – 13th 2016, in NYC! If you want to hear him speak, sign up here.

1. What does making images mean to you?

Telling a story, setting the time, leaving a trace. Wedding photography brings me so much. It’s a time of sharing with my couples. A connection.

2. What is life to you? What it should be?

For me, life is my family. My wife and my 2 boys. After that, my couples. It’s they who allow me to live, to be happy and fulfilled. I don’t want much besides that. I prioritise human relationships. I’m open to others, to those who want it. I’m not calculative when it comes to giving my time & energy to others. To exist on this earth and not share with others makes no sense to me. Life is about sharing in my opinion.

3. Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?

I moved 12 times since birth till I turned 18 years old, living in France and abroad because of my father’s job. “Travel” certainly opened my mind during my childhood and has inspired me to extend this into my adulthood.

I think part of me remains in the memories of my childhood and being childlike. My logo was inspired by my childhood; it was my wish. A tree that represents life and a kite and a swing reminiscent of carefree childhood. Daring to dream, keeping one’s innocence allows one to keep a healthy balance with today’s world.

4. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

Telling stories always fascinated me. Now I do that with a camera. My “past” is just the opposite of my present. I spent 18 years in the French Army. But also on trips in another state of mind.

Years passed so quickly during my childhood. Memories are only in my mind like “virtual” images. Today, for me photographing people permits me to leave a real sign.

5. Are you creativity satisfied at the moment?

I strive for creative satisfaction by focusing first on building a genuine connection with my subjects. So in that way, I am creatively satisfied. 🙂

6. What are you reading now?

“To kill a mockingbird” By Harper LEE.

7. Describe your path to what you’re doing now.

My past life was a first life for me. Without this past, without this experience, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I would not make the pictures I make, see the world the way I see it. Knowing one’s current self is to understand one’s past. (Getting into your past to see as you as you are today.) Restart my life? I wouldn’t change anything.

8. Do you make more personal images or are they mainly for other people?

Except wedding commissions, I only take pictures of my family, mostly in film, because I like to have them in my hands and print them and put them on the walls of my family house. It’s like leaving a trace.

9. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Right. And I shoot with my heart.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 year’s time?

I’m not able to know where I’ll be in 2 years… In 10… I still hope I’ll be travelling to document love stories. I hope I’ll be writing a book. And still photographing as I can’t live without that since I always view human relationships as an important aspect in my life.

Bonus Q: Do you think the gear you use affects the way you photograph? Why?

I like to say and think that the material must adapt to our mind and never the opposite. Our mind, our desire to create and connect with couples, that I believe is crucial. But for us to artistically express what we are internally we must also prioritise the equipment. I like to say and think what concerns me is that the priority remains our mind, our heart and the hardware. Our cameras are extensions of our minds.

Field Notes:

I only work in digital.

In digital, I love deep black and white, which reflects my past, my experiences, something I never want to forget and which I use every day to create.

I keep film for my family pictures, my personal pictures. Rolleiflex, Nikon FM3a, Polaroid… I prefer Black & White rolls rather than color. I found film in 1996. I take pleasure developing  film and paper prints, discovering the magic of the negative, or the appearance of an image in the darkroom… The smell of fixer, touching the sheet, contemplating the image, the work.

Gear List:

• 2 NIKON D750
• 24mm 1,4 Nikon
• 35mm 1,4 Nikon
• 50mm 1,4 Nikon
• 85mm 1,8 Nikon
• Flash SB700
• Filson Bag

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See also our other interview with Thierry : Then and Now.

The post 10 Questions: Thierry Joubert appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

Having turned only 30 this year, Washington DC-based photographer Sam Hurd has already been photographing professionally for the last 7 years. He’s well known in the photographic industry for his ‘prisming’ and ‘lens chimping’ techniques – and epic portraits series (of celebrities). Sam is not afraid to experiment. His works reflect a sense of experience, skills, and maturity beyond his years yet it still has that freshness in it that is charismatically attractive.

1. What is life to you? What it should be?

Wow! Starting off pretty deep. Life is a balance. Balancing work and pleasure, finances and material items, family and yourself. A life all lived is a life well balanced.

2. How does where you live, influence your creativity?

I own my home and there’s great freedom in making it whatever we want to make it. It’s a mid-century modern style house that makes it very easy to wake up in the morning. It’s in an incredibly affordable city that is immensely underrated and (hopefully) will stay that way – Baltimore MD.

3. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

I’m a photographer and a teacher (workshops). I have a background in Computer science and Music. I’ve always balanced one focus of my life with another. Music and Science, Exercise and Junk Food, Photographing 50 weddings a season and Teaching 15 workshops a year. I sort of just fell into photography with a great job opportunity via a well-known establishment in Washington DC and have kept it up ever since.

4. Are you creativity satisfied at the moment?

I’m always creatively satisfied. This comes from my personal belief that we’re far from exhausting all the possible ideas that could exist for still images. Technology is enabling new ideas to spread every single day… in literally every single moment. It’s a very compelling idea that keeps my fire burning strong.

5. What movie did you love recently?

Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

6. Are you working on any projects at the moment you can tell us about?

Just launched a new Podcast with a friend of mine. It’s mostly photography talk, but we’ll talk about whatever the heck we want.

7. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

None at the moment!

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Both

9. Who do you respect – in photography or elsewhere?

Ryan Brenizer – both as a teacher and a photographer. Creator of the brenizer method.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 year’s time?

10 years will likely be nearing the end of my wedding photography run as my primary source of revenue in my business and hopefully, I’ll have pivoted into something else!

Bonus Q: Do you think the gear you use affects the way you photograph? Why?

Of course, it does! Your equipment informs your shooting decisions and abilities. When you shoot with a 50mm lens you think in terms of that framing and what it will and won’t allow for. All other ideas are put on the back burner. This applies to camera bodies, sensors, flashes- everything!

Gear List:

At the moment I shoot with Nikon D750, Leica MP (240) and all of Leica Primes lenses.

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Katie Forbis, from St Louis, despite initially swearing blind never to work as a wedding photographer now admits she’s in love with it. Working in the midwest (Missouri), Katie pushes the limit of her locations by exploring the city and outlying areas for unique places to shoot. Her biggest muse is her 2 year old son. 

Editor’s Update: Katie will be speaking at Choo Choo Camp this October, 10 – 13th 2016, in NYC! If you want to hear her speak, sign up here.

1. What is life to you? What it should be?

For me personally, life really centers around my family. My husband is an awesome designer and he inspires me all time. He’s constantly learning and trying new things, from homebrewing to app ideas to gardening to woodworking. My 2-year-old son has taught me to be a more patient, loving person and his existence has only increased my love of photography – he is by far my favorite subject to photograph. I take pleasure in the little things: a good cup of coffee, a great beer, a pretty bunch of flowers from the farmer’s market, long conversations with good friends.

2. Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?

I grew up and reside in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m not sure that growing up here necessarily played a big role in my decision to pursue a creative job. I attribute that more to having parents that always supported and encouraged me. My mom especially has always been creative – when I was young she was always painting, crafting, playing the piano, and singing, so I think I get it from her. Living in St. Louis has definitely had an impact on the way I shoot. In the midwest we have no sweeping landscapes with mountains or deserts or oceans. I’ve found that getting creative with locations is important. I do a lot of exploring around the city and outlying areas to find new and unique places to shoot.

3. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer?

Such a loaded question for me! After a few years of uncertainty in college, I decided to major in photography with no real plan for what I would do with that degree, but I distinctly remember stating once or twice that I would “NEVER photograph weddings.” I had visions of showing my work in galleries and creating a lot more conceptual-type images, so it’s funny that eventually I really fell in love with portraits and weddings. My photography is something that has evolved over a span of many years, with a lot of ups and downs and trial and errors – and more to come, I’m sure. It’s a constant learning process. When I first started out what I really loved about being a photographer was capturing intensely special moments. I still love that. But after becoming a mother it’s become equally as important, if not more so, to capture everyday life. Time is so fleeting, and sometimes I can’t help but think about all the things I’m going to forget as my son grows older. Since I’m not a great writer and can’t keep up with a journal, the images I take of him kind of serve as a visual journal for me.

4. What is your favourite non-photography pass time?

I do a little bit of crafting here and there. As lame as it sounds, wrapping presents is one of my all-time favorite things and a big reason why I look forward to holidays. In the warmer months I love being outdoors. My parents have a little house out in rural Missouri that’s been in the family for years and we go there on the weekends whenever our schedule will allow. Campfires, fireworks, s’mores – the works. We love it.

5. What TV are you watching?

Only about 13 years behind the times on this one, but we are currently binge-watching The Wire for the first time.

6. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

I don’t know that this qualifies as a “project” but traveling more is definitely on the agenda. For work, for pleasure, for both – just more traveling is definitely needed. I’ve also always wanted to recreate a project I did in school where I constructed miniature landscapes and photographed them. I would love to do that again, only better this time.

7. Do you make more personal images or are they mainly for other people?

Lately it seems like I’ve been making more personal images, but really because we are just starting spring and winter tends to be my slower time. When work is slow, my child gets a LOT of camera time. This year is setting up to be my busiest yet, as far as wedding bookings go, so I’m super excited about that.

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

I had to hold my camera up and see. Right, all the way. When I looked through it with my left, I got that weird feeling you get when you put the wrong pant leg on first.

9. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now?

Nothing super crazy. Last summer I dismantled an old manual-focus 35mm lens I had laying around and since then I’ve been trying my hand at freelensing every once in a while. It’s hard! I think I need more practice 🙂

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

There are a number of little things I can say I would change if I had the chance, probably too many to list. However, I feel like all of my failures have helped me learn and grow, so I would maybe just leave it as-is. I’m really very happy with my career and life in general these days. The one thing I will mention is that I wish I would have upgraded to a full frame sensor SO much sooner than I did! It has really made a huge difference.

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This week we have with us Mark Pacura, a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Glasgow, Scotland (he’s originally from Poland) who travels worldwide for weddings. Thanks for sharing Mark!

Editor’s Update: Mark will be speaking at Choo Choo Camp this October, 10 – 13th 2016, in NYC! If you want to hear him speak, sign up here.

1. What is life to you? What it should be?

Life is a gift. A gift full of surprises. I try not to take anything for granted and enjoy every single moment of my life. Living in the civilized countries we tend to forget how lucky we are, but you only need to watch the news for a couple of minutes, for a quick reminder that for many of us life can be really difficult.

Life should be more about following your dreams, and less about worrying about things that are not so important. I try not to care to much about the things that I can’t change, and appreciate the world the way it is. I’m lucky enough to be married to someone who shares the same vision, and we follow our dreams together.

2.Where did you grow up and how did that play a part in your photography?

I grew up in a village in Poland, that was so small that I knew everyone who lived there. I never appreciated how beautiful and unique it was, until I came back there 15 years later. Most of my friends loved motorsports and that’s how my journey with photography started. I bought my first camera to photograph the rally cars going at some crazy speed, there was not much romance in it, but plenty of action :­)

3.There are a lot of professions out there ­why be a photographer?

There’s only one reason why you should be a photographer. It’s the same reason why you should be an architect, a policemen or a vet. You’ve got to love it. I don’t think you can succeed doing something, if it’s not what you want to do in the first place. I’m lucky enough to have a job I love, to meet different people every week, and to visit some amazing places around the world. I have to admit it’s hard not to love it.

4.What is your favourite non-­photography pass time?

Motorsport is still my passion, and that will probably never change. I don’t have much free time these days, so most of the time I watch it online rather than live events, but I’m still as excited about it as I was 15 years ago. I promised myself that one day I will take part in a World Rally Championship round, unfortunately I would have to sell the house to afford it. I’m keeping my fingers crossed though, as I said, life can be full of surprises.

5. What TV are you watching?

I love documentaries and I’m a big fan of David Attenborough‘s work. It would be a dream to work on one of his projects. I started to watch House of Cards last week after some strong recommendations by my friends, it’s actually the first TV drama I’ve seen in years. I’ve watched 16 episodes in 4 days, so I think it would be fair to say that I’m hooked.

6. Are you more of a one­-frame­-tells-the-­story artist or do you prefer collections?

I know the term is being overused these days, but I’m definitely say I’m a storyteller. When I photograph a wedding I want my photos to have the ability to bring back my client’s memories back to that day, regardless on when they going to look at them. That’s my focus, and that’s what I’m aiming for in my work.

7. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do ­or might do?

I’ve been living in Scotland for the last 13 years, and I’m still as amazed by it’s beauty as I was when I came here. This year I started a project called #scotland2015, it’s basically one photo from Scotland on my instagram every day. I’m not a landscape photographer by any means, I don’t have time or patience to wait for days for the perfect light. The project is more about visiting places I’ve not seen yet, and exploring this amazing country.

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

I actually don’t know. Both, I think. It’s complicated as I’m a left hander but I write with my right hand.

9. Are there any unseen experimental images in your attic you’d like to show us now?

I shoot for a story and I don’t like to over complicate anything. I understand the appeal of different experiments and techniques, but for me photography is all about the moment. I know my gear inside out, but for me it’s still the photographer who takes the photo. No experiments in my attic :­)

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

I’m quite happy with my journey so far, so I wouldn’t make many changes. I think everyone makes the same mistake of compering their work to other photographers for too long, instead of trying to find their own voice. I try not visit to many wedding photography websites and look for the inspiration elsewhere. At the beginning, I struggled to find the work – life balance, having the full time job and running a photography business at the same time, was really hard at times. So, one thing I would change would be to have courage to leave my job much earlier.

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