The “Photographer of the Week” series is dedicated to highlighting photographers within the SCAD community that demonstrate unique abilities behind the lens. This week, Shorti J, a SCAD Atlanta alumna who studied photography, shares her recent project and personal insights.
When did you start your photography journey and what does photography mean to you?
I started my photography journey my senior year of high school. I had originally signed up for graphic design, but I was placed in the photography course instead. I was not too ecstatic about this misplacement at first, but as I continued on in the course, I developed a passion for photography. I found a small piece of myself through the work, and I realized it was something I wanted to do. For years, I dabbled in different forms of artistic expression, but photography is the only one that made me feel as though I could clearly and freely express all that I was feeling. Through photography, I am able to show others the world from my perspective.
Where do you attain your inspiration for your work?
In my personal work, my inspiration really depends on my current mood. How I feel in the moment before I shoot determines the outcome of the image. In my fashion photography, I often find inspiration in different locations that I pass by or come across while driving or walking that sparks an idea for different images.
What is your creative process like per shoot?
A major part of my creative process is following the light. I love to shoot outside in natural light because I am able to capture the best images. Another key part of my process is determining location. I have come across what I believe to be the best locations for shooting while taking walks around the city. Seeing how the lighting looks at these particular locations assists me in visualizing potential images
What impact do you want to have on the industry?
I’m not sure what indicates the impact I want to have within the industry. The only impact from my work that I’m concerned about is the emotional impact from the viewer. My work portrays the darkest parts of myself. I want the viewer to feel the emotions within the work and if they’ve been through what I’ve been through, they’ll understand that they aren’t alone in the darkness.
What project(s) are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a personal series similar to my “Surface” series, which focused on my mental health by providing a visual manifestation of the different stages of my emotional state. I am also working on an original magazine titled Retro Junkie. It is a magazine series that highlights individuals with unique tastes in fashion, along with personal interviews with each individual.
Model featured: @kayfortheslay
Is there any advice you’d like to leave to other aspiring photographers or SCAD students?
To aspiring photographers: always make sure to capture your vision through your lens. At the end of the day, it is your work, not your professor’s or anyone else’s, for that matter. To future scad students: time management will be your greatest asset!
To see more of J’s work, visit her Instagram @cottoncandifro @shots.by.shorti.
