Sunset Hills, Los Angeles, California, April 7, 1985 © Terry Guy

FINAL THOUGHT

Death by Invitation (1971) dir. Ken Friedman

Kyle Johnson

Nan Goldin - Swan-like embrace, Paris 

Chessa Subbiondo for Office Magazine NYC

Words by Sahir Ahmed

Photos by Lulu Syracuse

Interview Questions Below

 What is it like being in front of another photographer’s lens?

 I really do not enjoy having my photo taken, which I find is kind of an obviously common theme with photographers. I feel a lot more comfortable having someone I know take my photo. It is a very weird thing being a girl in 2023 while also trying to "put out" art. I really battle with cohesion between the two and I think that’s why my instinct is to refrain from showcasing myself. I’m still very unsure of myself, I am much more sure of my work. 

 Do you emulate the kind of vibe you aim to capture in your own photographs or meet in the middle?  Where’d you shoot this?

I think I definitely try and bring as much of me into a photo taken of me as possible, but it is also different because you have to respect the person who’s taking it as well. I’m not good at letting go of control and that’s what it feels like to have my photo taken. No photo taken of me will ever have the same “vibe” as my own work, but that’s cool, it shouldn’t.  We shot this around Los Angeles, basically all the area’s we grew up in. 

 How do you aim to dress when having your photo taken? Do you style your subjects the same? 

 The way I dress historically changes all the time but I think I’m getting the hang of narrowing it down. I always look back at things I wore a few months ago and question why I thought that was a good choice. I think the best way to beat this is to try and emulate as much simplicity as possible in a general sense, nothing too trendy etc. This of course depends on the occasion, depends on the photo, etc. I don’t know, I dress myself a lot differently than the people I take photos of. I want my subjects to appear family brand ecom esc. “Boring” clothes, minimal patterns, sportswear, etc. When I am given the freedom to dress the people I shoot I don’t want the clothes to be the focus ever.  

 What subjects are you drawn to shooting? Do they mirror similarities with yourself?

 Not at all, I don’t think I’m moldable enough and typically the people I am drawn to shoot are. If I could go back in time I would have no tattoos and would grow my hair long with no stylized cut what so ever, stuff like that. I like when someone looks like they could be from anywhere, there’s no time or location stamp on them. 

 Do you feel like your photos emulate the same energy that you do? 

 I don’t think so but it depends on the day. The photos I take look intentionally set up and often the subjects are posed pretty purposefully. It depends on the person I’m shooting, everyone kind of has their go to face or pose, it’s interesting to watch. I always love when I do catch something natural though, everyone looks they’re best when they’re not aware of being perceived. I feel very awkward in front of the camera and I tend to instinctively hide my face or tilt myself in the directions I’ve practiced in the mirror since I was younger that I think “look best”. Whenever someone shows me a photo myself I didn’t know was being taken I always like it a little more.

Debbie Harry by Maripol, 1980.

Siouxsie Sioux - 1978

Archangels by Petro Kholodny, 1920

She said she had God in her heart

but I looked 

and I couldn’t find him

Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon performing live with Sonic Youth in Moscow, USSR, 1989.

©Lev Goncharov

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