Allyn Edmonds

Bradi – A talented young photographer I first discovered on Flickr. When I first noticed her she was just starting out in her photography and boy has she come a long way since then. Her wonderful self portraits are filled with emotion, character and style; she has even branched out into other areas by taking shots of the “Outside World”, “Macro” and even other people.

Some of my favorite images from her are, “When It Rains”, Tangled”, “The Walk” and “Just Sittin, Thinking…”.

I recently was able to ask Bradi a few questions about her photography and what follows are her gracious replies.

Q: How did you get started with Photography?

A: I suppose my family first got a small camera about five or six years ago. But I don’t think I decided to start taking pictures until a few years later, and then nothing special. I think just seeing my older brother (as a professional photographer) is what mainly started to peak my interest in photography.

Q: How long have you been involved in photography?

A:Trying to be seriously involved in photography- maybe a year and half, give or take a little.

Q: How would you describe your overall style of photography?

A: Hard question. I think someone else might be able to describe that better than I could, but I’d say my photos are fairly simple. Right now I just try document what I see the feeling it gives me. One style that I am interested in developing more, however, is something more ‘mysterious’. Not necessarily darker, but something deeper…

Q: What advice do you have for emerging photographers?

A: One thing that comes to mind, is to find out a reason for the image. For example, instead of getting a shot of a book just because, get a shot of a book that makes you feel something. Then try to capture that feel with textures or light so that it’ll remind you of an old book sitting with years of age, or book full of fairytales made for children or something like that. It’s hard to explain, and I haven’t been able to accomplish it all the time, but it’s helped me to think about. What’s more, don’t give up. Re-shoot if you have too, but don’t think that it’s not possible for you to do better.

Q: What type of equipment do you use when shooting?

A: Mostly an old Nikon D100 of my brother’s. Usually I use a 24-70mm lens, or occasionally a 14mm (also my brother’s) and recently I’ve started shooting with a 52mm manual lens (which is cool since I almost always shoot manual anyway). And then there’s the old duck-taped-together tripod I have. But beyond that I don’t have any sort of lighting equipment or anything else to use.

Q: What photographers are you influenced by?

A: My brother more than anyone else I don’t think I’ve ever really had any of the amazing famous photographers as ‘heroes’… Actually, a lot of times what influences and inspires me most are people similar to me. Young photographers who just like to try to make beautiful images - whatever they shoot.

Q: How do you know when the image you’ve taken is a good one?

A: When I feel the focus is pleasing to eye, the frame isn’t cluttered, and the colors seem to ‘flow’ with each other. But despite everyone saying that you only have to please yourself, I do, many times, take images for other people. So when I get a good reaction is when I feel like I created a good image.

Q: What’s your goal with your photography?

A: I definitely want to pursue it professionally. Right now I’ve got a little goal of trying to earn a living off of artistic photographs. But I do see myself shooting portraits, bands, or perhaps even getting into studio photography. We’ll see.

To see more of Bradi’s work check out her photo stream and tell I sent you!