Joe Robertson

 

I started doing graphic design in high school, and some fellow artists friends I had at the time introduced me to film photography as another creative outlet. Photography was a revelation for me, and quickly became my artistic focus. I haven’t done any graphic design since!



I’ve been inspired by many of my favorite artists, particularly in cinema and photography - directors like Fellini or Lynch, photographers like Meyerowitz, Alex Webb, Harry Gruyaert. I try to approach the creative process with as open a mind as possible, just letting the world reveal itself to me, and seeing which parts of what I’m confronted with are the most impactful to me.

For the most part I try to be open to all subject matter while I’m out on the streets taking photographs, and often times the most surprising subjects are what end up exciting me more than ones I may have set out looking for. However, I do also get particular joy out of photographing the people and things closest to me in life, trying to capture as much of the beauty they share with me as I can. 

                                                                                        


                                                                                    

When I’m out for the solely for the purpose of shooting, I try to slow my mind down as much as possible and let go of directives and instructions for myself. The main directive being to be as present as possible. Once a scene jumps out at me, I will start looking to make some sense of it and figure out how to photograph it in such a way that captures the essence of what drew me to it.

                              

                                                                                    

                                                                            

 

                                                                                    

* How do you stay inspired and motivated as a photographer, and what do you do when you're feeling creatively stuck?

It’s certainly difficult! I do consume a lot of art in the form of cinema, photo books, music, etc. and those can be very helpful in inspiring me to creativity. Another thing I find helpful is to look back at my own work, especially in print form, and think of what these things mean to me. Doing that helps me remember just how strongly I consider my photographs to be a part of myself, and that helps motivate me to get back out there.