SUBSCRIBE: iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher
Sarah Gupta approaches the art of photography with the wisdom of the painters who inspires her, and creates fine art photography pieces that uses simplicity, colour, light and depth to evoke strong emotions from viewers. Come and take a glimpse into her artistic process.
Introduction (5:02)
Setting boundaries in your business (6:49)
Focus on what makes you happy. I take a select few clients per year, and I focus on my voice as a photographer, my style, and my vision. For my clients and I, it’s not about the price, but rather about the art of photography.
When your kids don’t want to be your muse anymore (9:44)
When no one is having fun because you’re just trying to keep up with social media, and you’re not present in the moment anymore, it is time to stop.
Advice for those people who are struggling to slow down and tune in to the beauty (12:55)
Live simply and simplify your life. Take a step back, and use your eyes, and just focus on one thing about a scene that you like.
How your art of photography uses colour to enhance a mood (15:11)
I use colour in a therapeutic way, to make my viewers feel the same emotions I am in the moment. But I also use it manipulatively, to enhance a subject that I want to pull out in a frame. I like calm colours that make you feel relaxed.
Who are your biggest artist influences (19:10)
With artists like Frederic Church, I follow his simplistic style, rather than his genre, which is architecture. Leonardo da Vinci at one time focused only on details. I also like depth and perspective, and for that I admire John Singer Sargent, whose work is all about dramatic pulls of light and dark. And of course, much of my fine art reminds me of Vermeer. A lesser known favourite is Carlton Alfred Smith who paints everyday life.
Advice to move past being in an artistic rut (25:18)
Again, simplify your life. Put yourself in situations, in light, or with subjects, that you don’t usually shoot. Go outside your box.
What is your favourite piece you’ve ever created (29:41)
It’s a photo of my son on my husband’s shoulders, just connecting with each other and with nature. Everything fell together – my heartstrings, what mattered to me, and the light.
How to move past being bogged down artistically by client work (31:10)
I make sure to take 3-4 shots that can be an art piece, that are not part of the typical shot list. That way there’s a part of me in every session.
What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting? (36:00)
I’m an equestrian!
What do wish you knew when you started out? (40:34)
I put too much pressure on myself to keep up and emulate other photographers. I wish I could tell myself to not even look at anyone else, that the art of photography is about just photographing for myself.
What are you artistically curious about? (42:12)
Landscape photography
Discover more about Sarah Gupta
Website: http://www.sarahguptaphoto.com
Facebook: @sarahguptaphotography
Instagram: @sarahkossakgupta
Bio: Sarah lives in Rochester, Minnesota with her husband, son and many furry kids. She is a natural light photographer who uses dark and light contrasts to create depth. Sarah is drawn to environmental portraiture, lifestyle photography, fine art, nature and loves layering color and tones to create soft transitions in her imagery. Sarah is attracted to the light, which was used by painters of the golden age. Her passion for painting and drawing was discovered in photography. You can find how she captures her daily life via her Instagram account: sarahkossakgupta. In 2017 she became a Click Pro and in 2018 a Click & Company mentor and instructor. In the spring of 2019, Sarah released her first eBook: The Art of The Photograph. Currently, Sarah is running a re-occuring workshop in collaboration with Click Photo School that is titled, Beauty In The Unexpected. Nikon contributor and Lensbaby Ambassador. Sarah has taught continually at various conferences including Click Away, RESET, the new Call Me Artist Retreat and hosts her own locally.
Resources shared in this episode:
