Sunday, February 6, 2011

Women Who Create Beautiful Things


Inspired by the wonderful interviews I've been reading of my fellow bloggers, I would like to feature a special Sunday interview series called,  "Woman Who Make Beautiful Things".   To kick off the series, I  interviewed my daughter, budding photographer, Kristen Mulder.

When was the first time you realized that you enjoyed taking photos and were good at it.


I really took an interest in photography when I picked up the camera in eighth grade and used it for more purposes other than myspace. I played around with different angles and types of shots, mostly photographing the daisies in our backyard or small insects. I felt joy in capturing the beauty of nature and the feeling that you get when you're surrounded by it. I didn't know if I had any special talent for it, but I knew that I wanted to know more than the common sense of "snapping a shot."  I decided to take a photography class in high school, and I absolutely fell into the trance that it now brings me.

What is your favorite photo and why?


Photos are hard to pinpoint as your favorite, because each photograph gives the viewer a different feeling. To be able to choose the favorite, is only choosing the feeling that you're currently in. If I was picking my favorite photo that I have done, I would probably choose the one of my friend. I worked on this particular photo for days and days. It was a layering project of three different photographs. One shot is of the clouds, one shot of her portrait, and one shot of her silhouette in an elegant red dress. The image looks like something from a dark dream, so maybe I am feeling deep tonight, a thinker.  The phrase that comes to mind is a peaceful intensity of the inner mind.

Peppers by Edward Weston

One photographer that I like is Edward Weston.  He searches for mutilated peppers and plays with the lighting to make the peppers look like humans hugging or strange faces. It's really interesting. His shooting is very raw, he photographs a lot of naked woman, but he loves to express the geometric shapes that we create with our bodies. I attempted a photoshoot like his before, I took my two friends, Alyssa and Paige, and I pretzeled them together in various ways and dropped a brown sheet behind them. The shoot was so much fun, and the girls were laughing all the way through. It was a really neat experience.

What do you want to be and will photography be a part of your life?


Although I have a great love for photography, there is nothing that compares to the love and feeling that I get with kids. I would love nothing more than to work with kids. At the moment, I am on my way to becoming a teacher. 

jaron
 I really hope that I can incorporate photography in my life, especially with the time that I would get off during the summers!

Can you give someone starting out advice?

Award-winning Winter photo, Shot after the So.Cal. Fires

Before you get technical with your camera, Photoshop, and rules; explore! Explore everything, get to know your camera's abilities as well as your own. Get a shot that takes physical strength or take a million shots of something completely ugly until you turn it into something magnificent. When you surround yourself with everything technical about the camera, you fail to realize the passion and the energy, that comes from the photograph.




Don't ever forget that it's the one behind the lens who makes the photograph, not the lens itself.

 

Three words to describe me.
motherly
outgoing
generous
(My friend, Nicole, gave them to me.)



Kristen is presently enrolled as a first year college student at UC Santa Barbara.  Although she does not have a blog or website, Kristen is sought after especially during the holiday season for friend's portraits and family photos.  

Please feel free to contact me to be my  next Sunday interview.  If an 18 yr. college student can do this, so can you!  I would love to here from one of you talented women out there!




21 comments:

soraya nulliah said...

dear Diana-Your daughter is soooo amzing! You must be so proud! She has such an artistic eye, a strong spirit and a good head on her shoulders! such beauitiful, strong portraits...she has inspired me to get to know my camera better:)
I would love to do an interview with you...maybe you can pop by my blog/website www.sorayanulliah.com and take a look at my work. -A fellow flyer!
P.S. I love your idea of doing interviews-I am going to interview an amazing woman artist too! And may just start a series!

Brit said...

Kristen is so amazing!!! She took amazing pictures at our wedding. Kody wants to start doing some photography work too. I told him that he needs to start taking pictures with our normal camera before we buy him a nice one!

Unknown said...

Not only is this wonderful idea, but it really gives some insight into a lovely young lady~ "your daughter". I love hearing what inspires her, and what her dreams are about. I think her people images are my faves!
Thanks for sharing her with us all!

p.s. I'd do an interview at some point if you like :D

Carola Bartz said...

Diana, your daughter is an amazing photographer! Her images of people are so beautiful and "deep" (sorry, don't know how to exprexx that differently). And she is completely right in saying "it's the one behind the lens that makes the photograph, not the lens itself.

Marianne said...

Diana,
This series is a great idea.
It is wonderful that you chose to interview your daughter first. Ant mother rading this is probably smiling and thinking about how fantastic thier own daughter is....I know I am.
Your Kristen has an amazing gift. Her photos are very touching. She is amazing and will no doubt be very successful no matter what path she chooses in life.
Thank you for sharing and best wishes for your success with this series.

Crystal said...

Your daughter has a great talent for painting. I am sure that if she desires she will translate that talent to also working with children. :-)

Suzy said...

This is a great idea for an interview series! Very inspiring. Your daughter takes beautiful photos! I absolutely love the last photo, the sunset photo.

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Wow! Such wonderful talent at such a young age. Her pictures are wonderful. I LOVE the picture of the girls jumping on the beach.

And what a GREAT college too!! I graduated from UCSB - a long time ago. BUT, I loved it. I know she will have a wonderful time there. :)

Kat Sloma said...

Diana, you know how to throw down a gauntlet, don't you? Your daughter was a wonderful subject to interview. I love her photographs and totally agree with her on who makes the photograph. When you want to interview another photographer, drop me a note... :) (It scares the hell out of me to write that, but I'm going to hit "publish" anyway!)

Dana Mulder said...

My sister's pictures are beautiful. I've always been really impressed and proud of her natural talent and ability in photography. When it comes to her photography she has such a patient and creative mind at work, which helps her to take such wonderful shots. Great interview!

Kelly Berkey said...

what a great interview, she is just as much as an artist as her mother.
her shots are great, they are not only beautiful to look at, but they share moments in time that are very personal.
i was happy to hear her say to play before getting technical, or you may forget what makes you a good artist in the first place, great advice!

i can't wait to read your next interview my friend! kelly

Rhonda said...

What a wonderful interview and how proud you must be of your daughter. My daughter is a photographer as well, so I know the feeling of being a proud mom. :-) In fact, you can read the interview I did with her last June on my blog, if you'd like, here: http://robanstudio.blogspot.com/2010/06/interview-with-guest-artist-elizabeth.html

It's wonderful to see a bit of ourselves in our children.

Thanks so much for sharing her with us.

Jill said...

You daughter is as beautiful as you are!! I love the freedom in her photos, again kinda like her mother's art:)
I would be honored to be a guest on your sweet blog anytime.
Blessings, jill

Petra Kern, handpainted design said...

Dear Diana! I couldn't believe that this were an interview with the 18 years old!!!! You must be mighty proud, and you should be!
Dear Kristen! I wish your exploring will never ever end. It's so much beauty in it.

Petra Kern, handpainted design said...

sorry i see how i destroyed grammar in the first post :)

Cindy said...

I loved this interview! I believe is would be a wonderful feeling to see the artist emerging in our children! I enjoyed her comment that our favorite art really is a reflection of what we ourselves are feeling at the moment...and I really liked the way she blended the 3 photos of her friend together...Blessings, Cindy

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What an amazing young woman you have raised Diana. Her photos are gorgeous. I *love* what she said about picking a favorite. How it is hard because it is all about feelings and your feelings at the time. She couldn't be more spot on! I wish her the best of luck as she studies to become a teacher... I'm sure she will make a wonderful one! Great interview! :)

Erin said...

She is, without a doubt, gifted. Great series!

Thank you for visiting me the other day and leaving a sweet comment.

Heather said...

Wow, she's so talented. I just love all of the passion that she has for her art...really, it feels so good to do what you love! And she's so full of insight at such a young age!! Love that!
Her photographs are a pleasure to look at - LOVe the surfer in the sunset -

this is a great idea for a series, full of inspiration for artistic women!
looking forward to the next interview!

Terri Smith said...

Oh Diana..So Glad I Came Back To Read The Interview. It Was The Best! Kristen Sounds Amazing..Just Like Her Mom. I Especially Enjoyed The Three Words That Best Described Her. Beautiful Job Pulling Out These Amazing Questions. And Thanks For Giving Us The Opportunity To Learn More About Your Incredible Daughter! Apples Sure Don't Fall Far From The Tree! Hugs To You Sweet Friend!

Tim said...

We love Kristen's work!!! We have several pictures of her little cousins that she took and love every one of them! We love her too!!!
Tim and Andi