The Bloom

Do you prefer film or digital?

-I'm in love with the work you can create with film. This year I'm taking my first ever film class whet we develop and make our own prints so that's really opened me up to film. Nothing is cooler than watching your photo appear in front of you, and that's something you can't get from digital. Of course it makes more sense to shoot digital sometimes, you know how the photo looks and it can save you hours (And money!!) But film still has my heart right now. Im obsessed with the 90s over-saturated look, and you can really achieve that with film or a disposable better than you could with digital.

What/who gives you most creative inspiration?

-God is a woman and her name is Chloe Sevigny. No one has inspired me, my creativity and my own life more than she has. I once read an article claiming she was "the coolest girl in the world" and I totally agree. Her work is amazing, I have her photo book beside my bed like the bible. Also she's a kick-ass actress! Her style is eventually what I want to become. Someone else around my own age who inspires me is Eileen Kelly aka killerandasweetthang. She isn't a photographer, more of a model, but her work aesthetics are my inspirations. Also, she's the nicest person in the world and gives the best advice on her Twitter and tumblr. Art wise, some kids I "met" while looking for colleges this past spring inspire me creativity. People like Meredith Sherlock, Ryker Allen, Maya Zohbi and Alec Snow are all so incredibly talented and passionate about their art that it makes me want to become more passionate as well!

What do you usually do when you are in a creative block?

-I'm currently in a pretty big block, photography and writing wise, and have been since December. I get in moods where I'm like "no, I can't do this right now!" and will put it off for weeks even, until I'm in the mood again. To help, I make myself look at other creative people which helps get me back in the mood. I'll read magazines and do hours of Instagram stalking until I can't wait to get out and shoot again, and it usually works!

Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?

-I really like the pictures I took of street artists and musicians this summer when I was in San Francisco! They are definitely some of my favorites because they have meaning behind them. Each artist was so passionate about their work/music, it was inspiring. Other than that, I'm my biggest critique, so I tend to hate my photos after I've seen them too many times.

Any advice for people who want to improve on their photography skills?

-Keep keep keep shooting! Your first 1000 photos will be your worst, but don't give up. Find what you like- film, digital, medium format, whatever- and master it in your own way. Make friends with other artsy people, it really helps. My first semester of college I didn't have any artsy friends so I wasn't doing anything creative, and I wasn't happy. This semester I have a lot of creative friends and have found myself being much happier and creating more work! So no matter what don't give up. Finding your style, what makes you love photography, can be hard. For me it was at least. My senior year I was trying to discover what kind of style I was interested in and it was hard. I like out of the box, racy photos, and I used to get mocked by kids at school for trying to be a photographer. I've never been one to take someone's thoughts about myself personally, so I don't let people's options tear me down. If you know art is for you, go for it! Read about it, make connections, collaborate- do everything and anything!

best,
Molly

I've noticed I get caught in a lot of hour-long conversations with strangers. I once met a man from Israel and talked to him for four hours at a cafe, once at the gym a woman told me she felt extremely connected to me as if we had met in another life, at the grocery store, getting my hair cut, and now in the line for coffee. This man told me he needed to tell someone his "story" that happened to him the day prior. We sat under a blooming cherry blossom and the petals fell periodically over the two hours we spoke. And details aside, this man poured out all of his thoughts in the most eloquent, open way I respected so much. I sort of just let him speak his mind and as a result really felt connected to him because of his honesty. The conversation poured on. It was one of the most authentic interactions I've had in the last few months.


A few things he said that I jotted down
"So much of what you have and do is a way of protecting yourself from letting anything original approach you"
"One cannot learn in a high pressure environment"
"People create drama just to feel like they exist"
"We are all one consciousness, we all have the capacity to tap into that aspect of ourselves"
"I have friends who are 97 and 16, age doesn't change who gets it and who doesn't, who you connect to and who you don't."
"Everything now is a parody of a parody"
We fluttered around the topics of chance and how most of interaction and everyday life today is centered around creating and evaluating stress.
We talked about David Bohm and J Krishnamurti's talks, about words, about music, about the brain, about relationships.
I asked to take his photo.

What I took away, though, is just a great reminder that there is not just one way to grow up or live, not one way to look at what is normal or good or bad. That sounds so obvious but I really lost touch of that fact in college because sometimes it feels like everyone at UC Berkeley is going to move onto graduate school in 4 years and spends their free time watching Netflix. And when you don't feel fulfilled settling with surface relationships and hobbies, when it might seem like most do, you question yourself as a result. Trust your personal truth because it is that that will lead you to something wholesome.
So grateful for true connection, cherish those people.
All my love
Molly