“I guess if you love something things just fall right into place.”
Which certainly applies to Tamara Lichtenstein, a young photographer from Texas, that has already shot campaigns for Converse, Sugarhigh + Lovestoned; her images appeared on the Wall Art for Urban Outfitters and also the list of magazine collaborations is not to be sniffed at. Neon Magazine, Vice, just to name a few and Between us and the Sea is the harmonious name of her latest book release. Tamara´s work is like breathing in serene air and running off into the ocean, moments of beauty, freedom and being at ease.
A beautiful image is?
A beautiful image can be any image really, if you just take the time to wonder about it.
And what do you want to capture?
I want to capture the way I see things. It would be the perfect world if you could just snap a photo with the blink of an eye, right?
“Inspired by fashion, femininity, & youth.” you state on your website. What are your dreams?
For now, I just want to shoot all day and be able to make a good living off of it. I feel like even if I accomplish my dreams though, I’ll still be dreaming of something bigger.
How much of yourself is in your work?
My work expresses me as a whole. There’s a piece of me in every single photo.
You are very young and already very successful. Is this what just happened or did you plan to come straight forward?
I don’t plan anything ever when it comes to taking photos. Going with the flow makes everything less stressful and more fun. I guess if you love something things just fall right into place.
Where do you see yourself with your work and your life within the next years?
I hope that I’ll be shooting more campaigns in the future. I just want to keep growing in the photo world.
Many photographers told us that the better you connect to a „model“ the easier it is to shoot. How hard is it to get a great portrait shoot even if you don´t connect with the person?
That is so true! There’s nothing like shooting with someone that you love. One of the most beautiful souls I know, Lauryn Holmquist, has been my muse since I started shooting film. It’s so much more inspiring when you get along with someone. Honestly, it’s pretty hard for me to shoot someone that I don’t have a connection with. I usually end up disliking the photos.
You already did lots of campaign shootings as well. Whats the good thing about shooting with a concept? And what´s not so good about it?
I follow direction pretty well, so having a concept helps me get with they want for a campaign. I like having a concept actually, if someone tells me what they want out of a campaign, I just do it in my own version.
The most crazy thing you have ever done?
I’ve been SKYDIVING before! Not that crazy, but it is one of the most surreal things I’ve ever done!
And the most important thing in life is…?
The most important thing in life is to just do what you love, and never stop. Everyone feels discouraged sometimes, I know I do. DON’T QUIT!
