Luna , Amanda Chapman-Bruce IG@adorn_with_attitude achapbruce@gmail.com

What is your specialization in photography? (portraits, fashion, nature, street photography, etc.)

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Primarily portraits and fashion, with some cherry-picked branding, along with a handful of events. I do like to capture nature too, but that's more for myself than in a professional capacity.  

What inspires you in your creative work?

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Life around me, exploration and experimentation, other creatives, the vibe of an outfit, product, or landscape—subconsciously, we are continually inspired by everything we see. The inspiration might be a color palette that I'd like to recreate with fashion, it could be a landscape with a moody vibe that connects to a product or item of clothing, or it could be a model posed in a really interesting way. It might even be walking past someone on the street who is wearing something so randomly put together that it just totally works. It could be a poem that evokes a vivid vision, a piece of art that could translate into a visual, or even the rich hues and textures of a landscape that gets the brain in gear.  

What key techniques do you use in your photography?

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I'm not sure my techniques are 'key' per se, but they are key to my styling, I suppose. I love a bit of movement blur or shutter drag, so along with ensuring a lovely crisp image, I like nothing more than to mess around creating out-of-focus, hazy captures. I adore light leaks and sunspots, so I often play with obscuring the lens with various objects to create interest through shape, light, and color within an image.  

How does your culture or country influence your photography style?

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I guess my country influences my photography in that I have the privilege to work freely, independently, and without prejudice. The country is such a melting pot of rich culture, and I have been fortunate to be exposed to many different visual and historical references and styles.  

What resources (books, online courses, webinars) do you recommend for improving photography skills?

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YouTube is great if you need a quick tutorial, and following those you aspire to, along with other disciplines of photography on social media, is always useful—you never know what tips and tricks you can transfer to your work.
That said, there's nothing quite like just getting on with it and experimenting to find out what works and what doesn't.
A local photographer's club is always a good idea, as there will be a variety of styles and levels of expertise. You all generally tend to share and compare techniques and outcomes, and there's always a professional on hand.
Photography clubs or events in studio settings are a great way to learn about studio lighting.
Depending on your subject matter, some of the more left-field magazines are amazing for inspiration in terms of discovering new artists and the more avant-garde. Pinterest used to be epic but has become a little homogenized now, with the same references appearing again and again, making it less easy to find new and original inspiration.
Most importantly, know your camera! Either read your manual, experiment, or watch YouTube for tutorials on how to get the most out of your camera, as this will help you work within its capabilities and push your creativity and technical expertise!
In terms of working with models, I cannot recommend these two people enough for tips on posing: Keenyah Hill and David Suh Photo.
For product, I feel this lady is killing it... Daryna Barykina (all three on Instagram).

What editing programs or tools do you use for processing your photos? Why did you choose them?

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I use the Adobe Suite, mainly because I already had a subscription (I am a designer and use the suite for this too). It's a very dull thing to say, but the more you can get right in shot, the less work you need to do when you upload your images. Post-processing can be a hassle when you realize something could have been corrected in the shot! I use a mixture of Lightroom and Photoshop.  

Which social media platforms or networks do you think are the most useful for promoting photography?

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Instagram used to be great for photographers when it first came on the scene. Behance wasn't bad either, but now I think the market is pretty saturated. With imagery moving ever faster toward moving visuals and video as a preference, the pressure is on to create video content. I circumnavigate this by using behind-the-scenes (BTS) shots, setup photos, and reels on social media. It's either that or spend your time creating product-relevant skits on TikTok or sharing your journey/tips on YouTube. I feel this is massively stifling from a creative point of view. Likes are great, but bookings from people who truly appreciate your aesthetic are the ultimate goal.
I feel there isn't really anything comparatively successful anymore for purely photographic purposes, but I hope someone will read this and prove me wrong with some links to alternatives!

Do you have favorite photographers or artists who have influenced your style? Which ones?

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People like Nick Knight, Corinne Day, Gordon Parks, David LaChapelle, Herb Ritts, Diane Arbus, Cindy Sherman, Rankin, and Richard Avedon were/are trailblazers in their own right, each with very different approaches and styles. I've always loved the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rifat Ozbek, Issey Miyake, Iris Van Herpen, Hussein Chalayan, Thierry Mugler, and Alexander McQueen for their truly original, awe-inspiring art. There are some incredibly talented current artists out there too, but these names will always stick in my mind as I grew up reading The Face, ID, Tank Magazine, and Raygun. We didn't have the sheer scope or vastness to access the amount of creatives or information in the '80s and '90s that we do now.  

What technical or creative challenges have you faced while creating your work, and how did you overcome them?

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I'm terrible at reading instructions or manuals. I am not technically minded at all, so the best way to get around this is through exploration and experimentation. Creative play is the only way you are going to find out what your camera and lighting will do if you don't have the inclination to do any research or traditional learning.  

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"?

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I found you on Instagram and would love to collaborate again. Thank you for the opportunity!

CREDITS

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LYRA @LYRA.ROSE.MODEL
Location: South Kesteven  

SARETA @HEYSARETA
Location: @WAXSPIRITUAL  Essex.  

LAURA @LAURAWILDISH
Location: @THEPIGEONLOFTSTUDIO Nottingham.  

STARRY @STARRYCOLE77
Location: @MANNAKIN Lincolnshire  

SARA @BYSARACHRISTIE
Location: Nottingham  

EMSYLOU @EMSYLOO24
Corset: @VALKYRIECORSETS
Headdress & Set Design: @AMANDACAROLINACOUTURE
Large Roses on Set: @XLDECORATIONS
Studio: @FORGEDSTUDIOS.UPPINGHAM  

EMSYLOU @EMSYLOO24
White Dress: @ANNA.COUTURE.BRIDES
Headdress & Large Roses: @XLDECORATIONS
Set Design: @AMANDACAROLINACOUTURE
Studio: @FORGEDSTUDIOS.UPPINGHAM  

CALYX @CAINIVOROUS
Location: @TANKSPACEOFFICAL Nottingham
Lighting: @TANKSPACEHALO