You know that feeling when you walk into a place that you immediately love? You notice pretty colors, decor, lighting, an ambiance. Well, so many of Bethany Nauert's photos give you that same feeling. There is a sense of effortlessness & life even in her journalistic interior + exterior photography she does for websites like Domaine, Sous Style, and Apartment Therapy.
A few months ago, Bethany and I met up in Hollywood for dinner. I asked her about photography and she gave me some great advice/good conversation over chai lattes and veggie burgers. She makes her talent seem like no big deal. She told me what people expect from interior shots & how she loves natural light. She said "just set the camera up and put it on long exposure" as if it were the most common thing. She also mentioned a new food blog project called Steamed Not Fried.
aa: How'd you get your start as a photographer?
bn: I went to college thinking
I would pursue my degree in Illustration or Painting. But after one Black and
White printing class, I changed my major. I was deeply interested in
photographers like Paolo Roversi, Mark Seliger, Peggy Sirota, Annie Leibowitz,
Michael Thompson… so naturally I thought I’d be a portrait and fashion
photographer. I had never considered photographing interiors until just four
years ago, when I began working for Apartment Therapy.
aa: Most successful people have
constant goals. What is one of your current goals to date?
bn: I really want to start
shooting more hospitality spaces like hotels and restaurants, and integrate
this with foreign travel imagery. So basically I want to work for Tablet Hotels,
Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Travelor, or any travel bureau that will pay me to
go see the world.
aa: Any advice to amateurs who are still finding their personal style?
bn: Just keep shooting everything. Anything and
everything. You will know right away when your style finds you. For me, the
moment I started shooting interiors, an alarm went off and I knew immediately.
Also for the first year I was shooting interiors, I was diligently trying to
build the portfolio, so I said yes to everything that came my way.
aa: Who or what has influenced your
work the most?
bn: I’m completely in awe of
the blogosphere and the community of movers, shakers, makers and designers in
LA. There are so many amazing talents in Southern California, it not only
inspires but it also lights a fire under my ass to always strive to do better.
Also I have to say that my parents and their undying support has really taught
me to just push through any struggle you face. If you have something that you
love doing, you have to embrace it. All of it.
aa: Do you mainly use natural lighting
for your interior images?
bn: I love to shoot with
natural light. It offers that dreamy soft brightness. This is not always ideal
for every interior shoot…but in general I do prefer it.
aa: Even though you've been published and
are a represented photographer, do you ever find it daunting to shoot subjects
or styles out of the realm we all know you for?
bn: I actually shoot so many
interiors nowadays, it’s like my second language. I get really excited to do
passion projects esp fashion stories and food.
aa: You've shot some gorgeous spaces.
Do you find that these spaces influence how you decorate your home?
bn: Some homes are so beautiful
I want to hurl all my crap out the window and start all over. But that’s not
very pragmatic is it? I have lived in my apartment for five years, and
literally only began decorating it last October. It started with an IKEA daybed
that I purchased when I wanted to have a couch/bed combo and make more room.
Because I’m in a studio apartment, the layout is challenging and so is
function. Pinterest has helped me a lot for inspiration. Jake Harrison is also
a dear friend of mine who helped me with a majority of the interior design
decisions.
aa: Your interior + design images
always seem to have design qualities in them- I'm always intrigued by the
lines, colors, shapes. Is this a composition and style you've developed over
your professional career?
bn: I basically trained my eye
to shoot interiors while shooting for Apartment Therapy. Then I began to scour
design blogs and shelter mags. Eventually I just understood composition.
aa: Have you ever worked 9-5 or has
your skill as a photographer always been your source of income?
bn: Launching my freelance photography career back in 2010 was the first time I didn’t work for anyone else. But basically I failed at every desk job I ever had, and I hated feeling like I was chained to the same office / space every day. This career is perfect for me really, I meet new people all the time and am constantly changing my surroundings.
bn: Launching my freelance photography career back in 2010 was the first time I didn’t work for anyone else. But basically I failed at every desk job I ever had, and I hated feeling like I was chained to the same office / space every day. This career is perfect for me really, I meet new people all the time and am constantly changing my surroundings.
aa:What are your 5 favorite things
right now? Could be anything!
bn: 1. Free People’s
“Roshambo” three part short film http://vimeo.com/60184748, 2.The vegan tempeh
bacon club sandwich at Larchmont Bungalow, 3.My new rescue
dog, Chase, 4. The idea of
returning to Italy in September, 5. Ax + Apple
jewelry.
all photography by bethany nauert
all photography by bethany nauert
0 comments:
Post a Comment