Fashion editorial photographer Lara Jade is revered worldwide for the stunning images she produces. Currently based in New York, Lara captures dreamy visuals of her models, often outdoors and on location, that encapsulates that airy elegance that is so beloved in fashion photography.
Lara's body of work has a clear voice that represents casually delicate shots. Her images whisper a romanticized tale as her subjects are washed over with a gleam of white light. The photographer's decision to work with more than one subject in several of her shots allows the characters to play off of each other and produce images that offer something more.
We were fortunate enough to get in contact with Lara and she was kind enough to answer a few questions. You can read that interview, below.
You have a natural eye for photography. When did you know that you wanted to become a professional photographer?
I started photography as a hobby at the age of fourteen. My initial experimentation was with themes of self-portraiture and fine art photography – I was deeply inspired by creating ‘art' through my lens rather than shooting fashion. It wasn't until a few years later that I realised my work had a commercial value when I started to get requests about shoots on my social media channels and I started to do local shoots in my hometown. It only seemed natural to turn the hobby into a business as I got more and more busy with requests and with how much personal work I would shoot!
What inspires you and how do you stay creative?
I find inspiration in the most uncommon things – thinking outside of the unknown enables me to be inspired by almost everything around me: from the old masters in photography and fine art work to classic films and further on into themes of romanticism, beauty, people's individual style or emotion.
I stay creative by challenging myself to shoot personal work on a regular basis – I am constantly thinking of new ideas and themes that are not only going to give something new to my portfolio but they are going to help me improve my vision, knowledge and expand my contacts. I also surround myself with positive, visual energy – people, art events and I try to visit photography & art exhibitions when I can. Living in New York has definitely highlighted my love for the fast paced art/photography industry and helps me stay connected with my work.
Who are some of your favorite photographers?
I admire a lot of the older photographers and their processes. Photographer's such as Ellen Von Unwerth, Sally Mann, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Steven Meisel and Tim Walker to name a few.
What's next for you?
I recently just released a photography tutorial DVD with photographer Joey L which is essentially a ‘workshop-on-a-disc' and features our knowledge and experience on set – we give the viewer an invitation into our working lives by showing them behind the scenes videos, interviews, technical information and Photoshop tutorials. Ultimately our goal was to inspire the viewer to interpret our styles and what they learn on the DVD in their own way. I'm also working on several personal projects I'm writing a fashion photography guide book, which should be released towards the middle to the end of 2012.
Thanks for the interview, Lara! We wish you lots of continued success!
