Sarah Ann Loreth is a self taught fine art and travel photographer from New England, who specializes in conceptual portraiture. In her work she tries to convey a quiet stillness of emotion with a connection to her natural surroundings. She stumbled upon photography while working in the medical field and threw all her energy into teaching herself the craft. Soon, she was quitting her job, selling all her possessions, and setting off to live a life of adventure on the road teaching workshops all over North America. We caught up with Sarah to talk about how and when she first found her muse through a camera's lens, the import of emotions, travel, landscapes, and how "we are all shaped by and connected to our surroundings." AHC: What first drew you to photography? Was there a specific moment in your life or turning point where it became clear to you that you were being called to create in this way? Sarah: Since I was a child I've always been interested in creating - be it painting, drawing, or writing, art has always been a therapy for me. One year for Christmas I received a DSLR and my life has never been the same. It just felt right to hold a camera in my hands. I threw all of my creative energy into taking photos and have been for the last 7 years. AHC: Could you talk some about your overall process, themes & inspirations? Sarah: I'm inspired most by emotions, travel, and landscapes. My art tends to reflect whatever mood I happen to be feeling when the concept arises. I've found it best to keep a notebook on me at all times and write down small words and memories I want to create later, that way, I'm never at a loss for ideas, I'm simply waiting for the perfect location that speaks to the story. AHC: Who are some of your artistic influences? Is there anyone outside of the art/photography world whose work has impacted your own, or who just generally inspire you, writers, filmmakers, musicians etc? Sarah: Before I wanted to be a photographer I was interested in writing and poetry in particular. When I'm at a loss for ideas I start flipping through poetry books – often Rumi, E.E. Cummings or Neruda, letting myself get lost in the written visuals. AHC: What was the most difficult piece for you to create, shoot, technically and conceptually? Have you ever had to abandon a piece because the elements just weren't coming together in the right way? Sarah: Shooting and post process has always been the most challenging steps for me. Sometimes I can visualize an idea in my head, but it's a whole set of challenges to shoot the concept in a way that makes for easier and realistic post processing. I have had to put concepts on hold simply until I could figure out the best way to shoot it. AHC: How does the interweaving of the human and nature's environment hold the stories together that you are trying to tell? Do you see the two as separate. connected or sometimes both? Sarah: We are all shaped by and connected to our surroundings. The environment is often equally as important as the subject I am shooting. It all has to tie in together to help the flow of the overall piece and to have the story make sense conceptually so I would have to say I see an equal connection in each. AHC: What was the first work of art you encountered that took your breath away, that showed you that art and image making was something that you could add your own unique translations to? Sarah: I would have to say the early days of Flickr. I used to browse their photography selections late at night so inspired by what photographers were creating all over the world. It was interacting with these photographers that really pushed me to start creating in my own way. These were people, just like me, chasing the next great shot and pushing their own creative boundaries. AHC: Are there times when you become blocked creatively? What do you do to rekindle inspiration? Sarah: Constantly. It's very easy for me to feel burnt out both creatively and emotionally. I've found it's best to give myself some time to rest and recharge before jumping back in. AHC: Do you have any words of advice for young photographers-artists who are rooting around in themselves trying to find their own internal artistic vision, their truth, their niche, their poetry? Sarah: Try everything. Don't be afraid to fail and perfectionism is one of the biggest killers of creativity. I believe so much in the power of art as a therapy it makes me happy anytime I see someone creating in the way that works best for them. AHC: Do you have any upcoming exhibits or new projects/workshops you'd like to tell people about? Sarah: There is nothing on the horizon right now in regards to projects. For this new year I hope to continue to travel the world and document my experience. For more visit www.sarahannlorethphotography.com/ All images © Sarah Ann Loreth - Provided courtesy of the artist Comments are closed.
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December 2024
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