Joseph Graves (Delaware) |
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Your Name: joseph graves Company Name: joseph graves photography, Graves Brothers Media Site Address: https://www.josephgravesphotography.com/ I noticed through your Instagram that you work with a lot of models. Would you say that this is your favorite kind of photography? Or are there other kinds of photography you specialize in?
I started doing still photography as a way to hone my lighting skills. I work as a film electrician so there’s a lot of overlap between the two worlds. I began photographing models because lighting for cinema is all about lighting people, it’s about skin tone and catch lights and key/fill ratios. Photographing models is the same. |
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What would you say is the most rewarding part of being a freelance photographer? The most rewarding part of the photography that I do is definitely the reactions that I get from my models. I work with a lot of women who don’t necessarily consider themselves professional models, and their reactions to the images I send after a session are frequently very positive. It delights me to show someone a view of them self that she doesn’t expect. How would you describe your career as a freelance photographer? What advantages and disadvantages have you faced during your career as a photographer? Honestly, I don’t make any money doing photography. I occasionally get a paid job, doing headshots or the odd product, but still photography for me is, at this point at least, definitely more a hobby than a career. I do freelance as a filmmaker, most frequently, as I mentioned above, as an electrician of gaffer. The freelance life is difficult. It’s feast or famine, and it relies heavily on making and maintaining relationships, which I’m not as good at as I might be. |
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What inspired you to get into photography? When did you start?
I was inspired to start shooting, primarily, after attending a workshop of a Cinematographer, Shane Hurlbut, who himself had worked as the lighting assistant and gaffer for one of my other heroes, the fashion photographer Herb Ritts in the early 90’s. I’d done some photography in film school but never really thought of it as a part of the craft of filmmaking before that workshop.
I was inspired to start shooting, primarily, after attending a workshop of a Cinematographer, Shane Hurlbut, who himself had worked as the lighting assistant and gaffer for one of my other heroes, the fashion photographer Herb Ritts in the early 90’s. I’d done some photography in film school but never really thought of it as a part of the craft of filmmaking before that workshop.
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When doing a shoot, do you style the model or give them advice with what to wear and what styles to go for, or anything like that?
It really depends. Sometimes, a model approaches me with an idea already in mind and I just help facilitate her concept, other times I have a very specific vision. Most of the time it’s a very collaborative process. I start with an idea: a look, a location, an emotion I want to convey, and I work with the model to figure out how to create a cohesive set of images.
If you could travel anywhere where would it be?
Anywhere with good food and friendly locals.
It really depends. Sometimes, a model approaches me with an idea already in mind and I just help facilitate her concept, other times I have a very specific vision. Most of the time it’s a very collaborative process. I start with an idea: a look, a location, an emotion I want to convey, and I work with the model to figure out how to create a cohesive set of images.
If you could travel anywhere where would it be?
Anywhere with good food and friendly locals.
