Interview with Light Atlas Creative on Photojournalism
Light Atlas Creative is a mentorship program with Laura Valenti to help photographers transform their vision and lead vibrant, skillful, wholehearted creative lives.
She teaches teaches richly interactive online courses, works with emerging photographers, present lectures to photo groups, and curates exhibitions for galleries and festivals around the world.
I believe a documentary photographer is a journalist first, and an artist second.
I spoke to her after being introduced through Critical Mass, where she was a juror, and we connected well. Laura is a terrific interviewer and asks questions that draw out a lot about photography underneath the surface. I spoke to her about finding one’s unique vision of the world, and what makes photojournalism work for me.
- Why framing a shot and clicking the shutter is least important part of taking a photograph.
- Why photojournalism is not being a fly-on-the-wall
- How to fund your long-term photography projects
- Avoiding preconceived notions in your work
- Why your personal identity is crucial for your photographic vision
- Why publication alone should not be the final goal