Anna Wolf, at 30 years old has shot for over 20 magazines and catalogues, including Bon Appetit, Domino Magazine, Free People, Jane Magazine, Lucky Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, Nike, Urban Outfitters, and Quicksilver. Her photography evokes a certain air of nostalgia and she charms the world with the beautiful, dreamy way she captures life. Her lovely photography certainly matches her sweet personality. I was so privileged to have her grace me with an interview.
Me: Many photographers say that photography has been their passion since they were little. Do you find that to be the case for you?
Anna: Yes and no. One day in middle school I shot a polaroid of three of my friends hanging out in a school bathroom. I brought the photo home and my mom told me I should be a photographer. I started shooting seriously in high school-mostly because I pretty much hated school and just wanted to party and take pictures. It was kind of a default interest since at the time I wasn't interested in anything else.
Me: When you say you started shooting seriously in high school, do you mean that was the moment you knew you wanted to do photography and did a lot on your own as a hobby, or do you mean that you started your career then, actually taking your work to magazines and such?
Anna: Well, I was shooting because, aside from reading and writing, not a whole lot else in high school appealed to me. So, I can't say I was passionate about it then. But it was definitely when I started doing it in a serious way. I was on the yearbook staff and was the photo editor for the school paper. I spent a lot of time ditching other classes and hanging out in the darkroom...my photo teacher was pretty laid back!
Me: You wake up one morning, and as you are sitting up in bed, realize you have absolutely nothing planned for the day. How do you spend your free time?
Anna: I never have nothing planned for the day!
Me: Wow, you are quite the busy person. If, one day, a natural phenomenon occurs and you have a bit of free time, what do you like to do?
Anna: In my free time I really enjoy cooking at home with friends. Weekends are my favorite-tons of coffee and a big brunch. I also live very close to Prospect Park, so I spend a lot of time hanging out there.
Me: What type of camera do you use?
Anna: Mamiya 6x4.5, Contax 6x4.5, Mamiya RZ for film. Hassleblad, Canon 5D and MarkIII for digital, and tons of old cameras and toy cameras. Half frame, Lubitel, Lomo, Contax G2, polaroid cameras, etc.
Me: Wow, you certainly use A LOT of cameras. I only expected one or two, or even three. Do you have any particular one you are constantly using more than the others?
Anna: For jobs, without a doubt my favorite is the Contax 6x4.5. It is really well designed, super light and easy to run around with. My arms are pretty scrawny, small so holding anything bigger is just crazy. When I started at Art Center College of Design, I was shooting with the RZ 6x7. My wrist always felt like it was going to snap in half!
Me: What would you recommend budding photographers who are looking to get into the industry to do?
Anna: Work hard. Wake up every day and work like the rest of the world works. You don't just become successful over night. There will always be setbacks, you are constantly picking yourself up and dusting off-and if you want it, you can't ever give up. That's the only way. There are so many things. I spend a ton of time marketing myself to magazines, ad agencies, retail clients, and design firms. Emails, promos, phone calls, meetings, etc. And I'm always shooting and generating new work. One thing I come across with new photographers, is that they never feel ready to show their work. But the thing is, you'll never feel ready. You just have to put it out there. You meet with a particular photo editor today, and then in one year you go back with a whole new book, and show them how much you've grown. And then you do it again in two years...all the while sending them new shoots and stuff you're working on. I'd say for ever 20 meetings I go on, I'll get one job. It's a numbers game, and you just have to go full force.
Me: How were you able to bridge the gap from photography being a mere hobby to an actual career?
Anna: That's a really big question and a really long answer. When I moved to New York I was assisting, waiting tables, shooting and constantly going to meetings and doing self promotion. I had to be 5 places at once. But I never talked myself out of things. Even when my work was crap I would take it around to magazines. Then a year later, I would take it around again. And people got to know me. They saw my work progress. There isn't a formula for getting from photography as a hobby to shooting as a career-but one thing almost every successful photographer, is work really hard.
Me: Wow, you sure showed true commitment and dedication to your work. Did you also have any contacts, or connections to people in the industry that helped get your name around, like a relative or friend?
Anna: Yes definitely. Friends are always getting me into places to show my work. But you have to have the work to back it up. Connections are huge, but they just get you in the door.
Me: Do you have a photographer who's your icon?
Anna: Right now (and it changes a lot) Coliena Rentmeester with Ray Brown Agency. Others that I love are Cass Bird, Cedric Bihr, Emma Hary, and Melodie McDaniel
Me: Cool-I've never heard of her, but I'll be sure to check her out!
Me: What type of message/motif do you try/want to get across through your photos?
Anna: I don't try for message or motif in particular. I just shoot what comes out and it typically ends up looking pretty quiet, honest, and at times nostalgic.
Me: Yes, indeed-they are all very dreamy and inspiring.
Me: What inspires you?
Anna: Friends/peers and the work they are doing, locations, light, fashion, magazines, blogs.
Me: Do you use any of your family or friends as models in the photos you take?
Anna: Yes. I've been working on a portrait series of my brother Michael who goes to Bard College. His friends are really cool and interesting, and the setting at Bard is quite beautiful. My other brother Daniel, is about to go to college, so I'm planning on visiting him at least twice a year and shooting him and his friends.
Me: Where do you get most of your props and those lovely dresses?
Anna: Stylists!!!
Me: Wow that must be nice having other people pick out the clothes and props for you! Do you get to choose what clothes and props get used, though, after the stylists gather a whole selection, or do the stylists do everything?
Anna: Every shoot is different. With jobs, I don't have a big say in what is being used. The marketing teams have that on lock down. But for fashion editorials or test shoots, its much more of a collaborative effort. However, having said that, I work with people who's work I admire, and most of the time I let them do what they are good at. And for the people that are starting out, it's really great to hook up with stylists who are starting out as well-you can do shoots and give them prints in exchange for styling the shoot. It's a win-win for everyone.
Me: Where's your favorite place to take photos?
Anna: Outside surrounded by trees.
Me: Mmm...sounds pretty. Do you often travel far to shoot?
Anna: Only when I'm lucky!
And now for some random fun questions...
Me: Chocolate or vanilla ice cream?
Anna: Chocolate!
Me: If you were stranded on an island and could only have three items with you, what would they be and why?
Anna: My boyfriend, my phone (as long as there was reception), and the New Yorker Magazine.
Me: Any quirky pet peeves and/or idiosyncrasies?
Anna: Chicken bones on the subway.
Me: Ewww...chicken bones on the subway? There's really chicken bones on the subway?
Anna: Unfortunately yes! It's one of those weird things about New York that make this place so unique but horrifying at the same time!
Anna: Unfortunately yes! It's one of those weird things about New York that make this place so unique but horrifying at the same time!
(Ahhh I love this picture so, so much)
Me: Do you have a blog of your own?
Anna: I started this blog because I didn't want to make a bio...I thought it would be a good alternative. I ended up making a bio anyway but the blog remains as a bridge between my personal life and my work.
Me: Awesome! I'll be sure to check it out!
Me: Thanks for letting me interview you, Anna! It was such a privilege to work with you!
Anna: Thanks, Micaela for the interest in my work, and thanks to the readers for taking the time to read my interview!
Sorry for my lack of posting/commenting. I do believe I've become the queen of irregular blogging. I got back from Florida on Friday night and spent the weekend unpacking and getting things done around the house. Here are some photos that I took in Florida:
I think the one with the birds all lined up is the cutest...
I finally picked up my mug from this pottery place where a few friends and I painted mugs. Here it is:
I finally picked up my mug from this pottery place where a few friends and I painted mugs. Here it is:
Also, I just recently watched the Coco Chanel Movie for the first time. I loved it so much and I found it was incredibly well-done for just a TV movie, although I wasn't particularly fond of Shirley MacLaine's part. The transitions from the present time to the flashbacks could have been smoother also. But I did adore the person playing the younger Chanel.
The costumes are just simply exquisite. I wish people would dress like that today.
Last week, I was so pleasantly surprised to check my blog email and discover 3 new fan mails for the day!!! That's more than I ever get in a week, never mind a day! Needless to say, that made me very happy. These were such sweet emails, I just had to share them with you, so here they are:
Email #1:
hey,
drifted through your blog. couldn't resist but to write to you. its
looks either you are too clear a person and put all your thoughts and
emotions on a platter. or you are the best faker who have just faked
each and every bit of emotions. who ever you are- it was a pleasure to
come across your blog. was very sensitive. thanks for creating it.
drifted through your blog. couldn't resist but to write to you. its
looks either you are too clear a person and put all your thoughts and
emotions on a platter. or you are the best faker who have just faked
each and every bit of emotions. who ever you are- it was a pleasure to
come across your blog. was very sensitive. thanks for creating it.
Email #2:
Dear creator of this blog,
I accidentaly found your blog by google.
Probably you have heard this a million times already,
but I can't describe how in love I am with your blog.
The music, the photographs, the taste, the words,...
This is like the magic where only some can believe in.
I just wanted to say this to you, because I am realy thrilled by how
much I love it. I'm daydreamer myself and I always seem to believe in things.
That's the main thing why I adore your blog. Because it's not only beautiful,
it's meaningful as well, and most of all; I can find myself in ALL of the quotes
that you've put down. And all the pictures inspire me to get inspired even more.
Now i'm dreaming away with every page i'm watching.
So please keep continuing with this, it's amazing.
I love to write texts and quotes myself. So, I was wondering if you would like to take a look
at them and give your opinion, I would realy be happy if so.
With kind regards, from A., from Belguim.
I accidentaly found your blog by google.
Probably you have heard this a million times already,
but I can't describe how in love I am with your blog.
The music, the photographs, the taste, the words,...
This is like the magic where only some can believe in.
I just wanted to say this to you, because I am realy thrilled by how
much I love it. I'm daydreamer myself and I always seem to believe in things.
That's the main thing why I adore your blog. Because it's not only beautiful,
it's meaningful as well, and most of all; I can find myself in ALL of the quotes
that you've put down. And all the pictures inspire me to get inspired even more.
Now i'm dreaming away with every page i'm watching.
So please keep continuing with this, it's amazing.
I love to write texts and quotes myself. So, I was wondering if you would like to take a look
at them and give your opinion, I would realy be happy if so.
With kind regards, from A., from Belguim.
Email #3:
I'm just writing to congratulate you. Your blog is amazing. The photos are great, the song too. I feel very comfortable seeing it.
Congratulations, Micaela
I am absolutely in love with your blog. It's not just any old photo blog. You've really made it something else and completely unique!
Thanks to everyone of my sweet commenters and emailers for making me smile every day. If it wasn't for you, I probably would have quitted blogging a long time ago.
I have a received a few awards, but I will leave them for the next post.
xoxo,
Micaela
