Featured Creative: Clara Sumsion
W: Can you tell us how you got your start?
CS: I’ve loved photography ever since I was a little girl and have always wanted to pursue it as a career. I love how a photograph can capture wonderful memories, take you places you’ve never been before, and let you see things in new ways! My love for photography has always been there and I’ve just continued to run with it.
W: What is your biggest inspiration?
CS: My biggest inspiration is definitely the world around me! I practically think and see everything around me in pictures. Photography helps me enjoy the world, to explore it, learn from it, and to remember it.
W: How would you describe your style?
CS: Creative, dynamic, and detail oriented.
W: Tell us the story behind one of the photos we’re featuring – why did you choose that photo to send?
CS: I think having a personal project—a muse that you’re excited to go out and shoot—is very important. It trains you to observe ordinary surroundings with a creative eye. These two images were part of a personal series I did on the color red. I love how a color can be so bold, and bring such ordinary objects to life.
W: Where are your favorite spots to shoot?
CS: I can’t even pick one favorite location, there are so many! Overall, I love places that feel like they have a story—an old school with years of history to the shiny new glass building with the rooftop garden. Beyond that, I also look for beautiful lighting, colors, and textures.
W: What kind of equipment do you use?
CS: I shoot Nikon the most, and my go-to lens (which I am 100% in love with!) is a 50mm 1.8.
W: Do you have any special techniques? Do they define your style?
CS: I love shooting at very low apertures and in beautiful natural light—I just love the softness and depth these give. I also look for chances to capture the details of ordinary things to bring them to life.
W: What challenges have you had to overcome in this industry?
CS: I think the biggest challenge for me is not comparing myself to all the highly skilled photographers around me. It’s easy for me to feel intimidated, or like my work isn’t good enough. But that’s not true! We’re all good enough in our own way. So, I’ve learned that we only need to be the best version of ourselves instead of trying to be just like everyone around us. Ultimately, I love what photography allows me to create, and I’m not going to let comparisons stop me!
W: How do you see your career progressing?
CS: I want to continue pursuing portraiture and still life photography on a professional level, along with personal projects. But no matter what turns life takes, you’ll always find me behind a camera!
Clara is based in Utah.
Contact her on her blog: www.lookitphotography.blogspot.com
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