Dóchas-Faisean: Artist Spotlight: Katelyn Smoot.

This month for my artist spotlight I am featuring photographer Katelyn Smoot :) She has done numerous photo shoots for me and is such a dear friend. Her passion for art and ability to see beauty in everything has inspired me deeply. I got to steal away an interview with her, so take some time and read it and enjoy a little Monday inspiration :)

You’re featured as a photographer in this blog post, but what other forms of art do you meander in?
My photography is what I'm most known for, but I've dabbled in drawing/sketching, printmaking, painting, and sculpting. My university requires every art major to be well rounded in other forms of art outside of their specific major. It allows students to explore outlets they never thought they were particularly excellent in. I, for one, am thankful for this, because the skills I've learned have helped my aesthetic and understanding of my own art, as well as allowed me to understand the interest behind mixed media and how one can utilize it with the skills learned in other art forms. I would have to say that drawing has to be my strong second art form, though I never thought I was particularly good at it. Just goes to show that you should never doubt your own abilities until you've at least tried.

What gives you the most inspiration for photography?
My inspiration comes from the fact that no one sees the world the way I do, and I want to try and convey that. Whether it's through portraits or landscape, photography is a way to let people in on your world. And through that you can convey beliefs and ideals, or something that is simply beautiful without there having to be a deep, rich meaning behind it. It simply, is. My world is what I create it to be. I love fantasy, and I love how photography gives you the ability to create your own world. That's what excites me.

What would you say you try to communicate through photography?
Different things at different times, I would say. At times I try to convey different ideas that are close to me, like the idea of inner beauty and self worth. Then other times, my pictures are just something nice to look at. But they feel nostalgic, almost from a narrative that no one's in on except for me, and I like that. It leaves the image open to interpretation to the viewer, to create whatever story they wish in order to understand it. I've even worked in photojournalism to raise awareness for specific causes that I support. I'm not stuck in one area of communication, and that's the way it should be.

What is your favorite form of photography? As well as favorite thing to photograph?
Portrait photography is my strong point. I enjoy people. They intrigue me. I love being able to see the beauty in someone that sometimes they can't see themselves. I guess you could say that's my favorite thing to photograph, as well. But, as I've said, I don't settle for one thing. I also love digital collage, which is how I created a series that I made on inner beauty. It's this whole fantasy vs. reality thing that excites me about it. The resources we have now allow photography to be something so not of the this world. So dream like and fictional, but believable at the same time, if that makes any sense.

Any advice to people who wish to get involved in the ever growing industry of photography?
Don't compare yourself. Everyone's different. The biggest let down you could ever wish upon yourself is to compare your work to someone else's. You should be inspired by other artists, but you should never be discouraged when you think their work is better than yours. Also, stick to your convictions. Don't start creating feminist pieces just because everyone else around you is in on that craziness. Convey your own heart, and don't conform. You'll at least speak to at least one person with your artwork, and that's yourself. If you make art to please other people, you're in it for the wrong reasons.

And, just because, what are your top 5 favorite things to do when you’ve got the time to do absolutely anything?
I love to read, and I've recently started to read now more than ever. I also love baking, another little form of art that I like, because it's so much fun to create edible things. Walking and day dreaming, simultaneously. And I also enjoy singing, and music, whether that's supporting or taking part in the creating of music. Music is a fantastic art form in and of itself, and I have a high appreciation and respect for musicians.

Here are some of Katelyn's amazing photographs: