Katie McGoran IG@katiemcgoran.photography katie.mcgoran@gmail.com
What is your specialization in photography? (portraits, fashion, nature, street photography, etc.)
*
Nightlife and portraiture
What inspires you in your creative work?
*
Documenting my culture and community, particularly in underground queer raves, and being a part of the electronic music scene.
What key techniques do you use in your photography?
*
I like a harsh flash, sometimes paired with a slower exposure to capture the ambiance of the lighting and the energy of dancers' movements when shooting nightlife. Technically speaking, the nature of rave photography means I am shooting in a dark environment, so I keep my aperture fairly wide open when focusing on a singular subject, as I like to do, and I always shoot in manual.
How does your culture or country influence your photography style?
*
As a queer and non-binary photographer, the events I choose to work with are usually queer events or alternative in some way, so my subject matter for portraiture is often queer people, and I like to capture them expressing themselves freely. The spaces I document are intended as safe spaces for my community to dress and dance as they wish, free from judgment or harassment, so it is important to me to uplift and capture this energy through my photographic style.
What resources (books, online courses, webinars) do you recommend for improving photography skills?
*
For technical skills, I recommend speaking to other photographers directly about their recommendations. For specific technical skills, it is easy to find out through YouTube tutorials. I would instead focus more on the theoretical and creative side by visiting exhibitions of artists you are drawn to and reading authors such as John Berger and Susan Sontag.
What editing programs or tools do you use for processing your photos? Why did you choose them?
*
I mostly use Adobe Lightroom as it is convenient for editing a large number of photographs required when shooting for an event. This allows me to correct the lighting, color grading, and perspective. For finer details or more complex editing, I will use Adobe Photoshop.
Which social media platforms or networks do you think are the most useful for promoting photography?
*
I think Instagram remains the most prevalent image-based platform, although we may be experiencing a shift away from this. TikTok is also interesting as there is more chance of reaching new wider audiences. Photographers and other creatives are really struggling with the dependence on these media platforms' algorithms and particularly new policies around copyright, usage, and AI.
Do you have favorite photographers or artists who have influenced your style? Which ones?
*
My use of flash to capture animated moments viscerally is inspired by the messy aesthetic of The Cobrasnake's (Mark Hunter) 2000s nightlife photography. Early 1900s surrealist photographer Claude Cahun is one of my favorite photographers, and I have a tattoo of their work on my arm as their pioneering photographic exploration of gender has influenced both my personal growth and my creative perspective.
What technical or creative challenges have you faced while creating your work, and how did you overcome them?
*
In events, my biggest enemy is the fog machine! It is almost impossible to get a crisp image if the room is filled with too much smoke or haze. To overcome this, I make sure to communicate my needs with the organizers, as smoke is often only needed intermittently. I will use the clearer windows of time for shooting in the main space and focus on other details and areas during heavy smoke times. I also make sure to carry a lens cloth, as the fog machine can mist up the lens, though this can experimentally create some interesting effects that I use to my advantage. I also use Lightroom to adjust the black point if my image is hazy from the smoke.
How did you hear about "Depo," and what are your expectations for our magazine? Are you interested in participating in future projects or collaborations with "Depo"?
*
I found "Depo" through Instagram, and I am interested to see what possibilities it will provide in terms of connecting a creative network and exposure for fresh talent.
CREDITS
*
@katiemcgoran.photography + credit events + DJs/artists: Charje @charje.worldwide, AC (dot robot) @ac_dot_robot, Pum Pum Pussay @pumpumpussay, Ego Death @ego_x_death, Lomi @miniflutes, Snow Strippers at Pitchfork London @snowstrippers @pitchforklondon, Initiation X Conscious @initiation_london @conscious.london, Miriam @likalumiriam, Diana Bravo @diana.bravomusic, Lead @leadlondon, Baptist @baptist.ecp, PMAD @pmad.uk, Maxxing @_maxxing
