photography – Dark Beauty

Photographer: Aaron McPolin
Stylist: Kathryn Edmonds
Set Designer: Marijke Loosjes
Floral Artist: Bridget Savage
Hair: Shelley Spence – Toni and Guy Perth Central
Makeup: Chloe Joy
Models: Haylee @ Chadwicks, Ella @ Scene
Photographer’s Assistant: Tayla North

Photographer: Nati Keren
Stylist/Makeup: Shoshi Offir
Model: Topaz Arbell

Photographer: Marta Bevacqua
Hair: Sadek L. Hair
Makeup: MeyloO
Model: Edyta @ Crystal Model Management
Assistant: Vincenzo Patruno

View the full spread in our new ISSUE 44
Download to Own: http://bit.ly/DBM_44
Print-on-Demand: http://bit.ly/1IFIfNc

Photographer: Jaime Lim - LSP Liquid Star Photography
Designer: Albert Andrada
Headpiece: Miss G Designs
Hair/Makeup: Dinah Raphaelle
Assistant Makeup: Grace Rivera
Model: Chloe Ann Lloyd

Photographer: Nicholas Javed
Hair/Makeup: Kuba Kierzkowski
Model: Julia Zalewska

Photographer: Olga Figaszewska – Wizja Świata Trzecim Okiem
Model: Bartek Skaj – SKAYi

Photographer: Pollography
Corset: Korsettmanufaktur TO.mTO Berlin
Florist: Das Blumenmädchen
Hair/Makeup/Model: Anja Janz

Photographer: Ricardo Poggi
Makeup: Ab Selem Shegani
Model: Robijn Suasso

Photographer: Reylia Slaby
Model: Dagny Tarver

Photographer: Shawn Mornoe – Regal Rebel Photo
Makeup: Rahela Williams
Model: Josh Tyler

Photographer: Sacha van Manen
Makeup: Dominique Haveman – In Your Face Visagie
Model: Nathalie Samson

Photographer: Steffie Neve – NevePhotography
Model: Madeleine Kanyama

Photographer: Unholy Beauty Fotodesign
Stylist/Makeup/Model: Scaredy Cat

Photographer: Luis Patarata – Luis Photographe
Model: Graziella

Photographer: Alessandro Cabras
Makeup: Giulia Cappai
Model: Mara Mei

Photographer/Model: Caitlin Louise

Photographer: Adi Dekel
Model: Samantha Evans

Photographer: Barbora Biňovcová – Bibora Photography

Photographer: Haris Nukem
Model: Emily Brooks

Sam Kaczur is a fine art photographer from Vancouver, BC, Canada. She started her journey as a fine artist before using photography as a sort of therapy to overcome her depression. Little did she know, photography would change her perspective not just on her art, but her life as well.

Since then, Sam has strived to produce photographs that embody emotions, memories, symbolism and above all authenticity. Using natural light and the environment around her, she creates images that hold more than just meaning for her, but everyone she works with. When she plans her photo sessions, she invites models to join her and to embrace the concept, creating authentic images that capture the true feelings meant to embody her work.

What is your style? Describe it.

Dark, mythological, emotional and spiritual. I want to evoke emotion and to allow people to create a story in their mind.

What is your process? Describe your treatments.

My process starts with deciding on a theme. Then hours of looking through books on psychology, dreams, symbolism and history. It requires a lot of notes and a lot of tea. Once I feel I have the idea fully thought out in terms of research I then apply it to my own emotions and memories. Next, I find a model, usually a friend, and we talk about the theme before I decide on location or the story. On the day of the photo shoot, I paint the models in a way that I feel best describes the idea, it almost feels like I am preparing them for a spiritual awakening; it calms and helps all participants mentally prepare for the shoot. Once we arrive on location the shoot itself only takes a few moments once we are comfortable and then, it is gone. Then I spend anywhere from 2-16 hours editing the resulting images for release.

How do you make a living off your work, or do you? Is there someone who supports you?

I sell Limited Edition Fine Art Prints as well as photographic services in the areas of Fine Art and Portraits.

What inspires you for a shoot? Why?

Experiencing the unknown, the dreams, the secrets… I show the beauty in vulnerability, the acceptance of pain and the hope that resides in all of us, even in the darkest times. My goal is not to capture beautiful images, but to create a story that emphasizes a person’s emotions, dreams, hopes, fears and memories. I want everyone who views my photographs to experience a sense of comfort in the mysterious corners of their subconscious mind. I want that place to be a refuge where they can allow their suppressed thoughts to come to light and to grow in understanding of who they truly are.

Do you plan the entire shoot concept, or have help?

I usually plan the base of the photo concept by myself then I approach the idea to a group of models and see who best fits the role I am trying to portray, not by their outward appearance but by their emotional attachment to the concept I present. From there we compare experiences and that builds up our story so that the shoot itself is a completely unique experience for us both.

Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?

Last November, I attended a workshop with Brooke Shaden and in private I showed her my work. Her words of encouragement still resonate with me today. She believed in me without a doubt and since that day I felt a weight lifted off of me. I have been inspired by her work for years and it was meeting her and talking artist to artist that made me so inspired.

How do you sell your work, your own site, a provider? Any advice to others?

My prints are sold through my online site and I am currently looking for gallery representation. My advice to artists is to ask questions from more established individuals and to see how they began to sell their work, also to see how you would prefer to create income, through prints/finished pieces or taking clients through the whole creative process.

How do you take criticism? DO you take it well? How do you manage criticism? Why does it affect you good/negative?

I would like to say I take criticism very well… once I get over the emotional upheaval. To me my work is personal self-expression, like it is with most artists. I usually show my near finished images to fellow artists I trust, most of them are not photographers and gather their opinions. If the critique comes from someone with experience and talent I am more open to it than others with less experience– though their thoughts do matter.

Who would you like to shoot? Celebrities, model, designer? Why?

I would like to work with musicians mainly. Many have influenced my work over the years, from Behemoth, Wardruna, Forndom, Amon Amarth, Marilyn Manson, Cocorosie and Florence and the Machine… and so many more. Their work helps me create the moods I am looking for in the images. It would be amazing to be able to collaborate with them and to create work that embodies who they are authentically when they are away from the public eye.

If you left a time capsule of your work, what would you leave in it? Would it be digital or physical paper? What would it consist?

I would leave an antique suitcase full of my prints, organized chronologically. Each year would have two prints: one of my best work, along with what I thought was my weakest. I want to show younger generations that art is not a state of brilliance from the beginning but a struggle and a process of growth. There will be ups and downs but to remember it is the journey that matters.

What caused you to become a photographer/fashion photographer/artist/Designer? Why?

From an early age I was a listener and a watcher. I would stay quiet and watch the world around me. I have been an artist my entire life, I barely remember a day without being creative, either writing stories, drawing, painting or creating imaginary worlds in my childhood backyard. Photography didn’t come into my life until 2010 when I fell into a deep state of Depression. Before then, I had never taken photography too seriously, using it more for travel photos. So with a fresh eye on a new art form, I used the new medium as a way to express what I was feeling– and as a way to distract myself from the fears I had. I wanted a way to remember those feelings, and also, a way to get through those dark moments by celebrating the beauty in them. Slowly as my health returned, I started looking for new ways to create with the medium of photography and to show others the passion that we all hold deep inside; when we allow ourselves to be who we truly are, we can grow emotionally, physically and spiritually in ways we never expected.

How do you manage a project? Do you prefer a team, or being a one stop shop? Why?

I usually work alone with just the model and I. If I need special effects makeup, wardrobe, or other creative individuals I have a group of fantastic friends in the industry to collaborate with. I prefer to a smaller group because the themes are so personal. I want the models to show their vulnerability, and the more eyes watching, the harder it will be for them to relax.

Do you prefer to shoot men, women models? Why is your preference for one and not the other?

I have no preference, though my ideas can have a preference towards one or the other. I look at the emotional and spiritual side of a model first. If they have not experienced the emotions that I want them to express, then I have to find another model. On more than one occasion I went in thinking the model would be female and used a male model or vice versa.

What is your preferred subject matter? Why?

My favourite subject matter would be to create a story based around faceless or unknown humans in a natural setting. I am heavily influenced by dreams, symbolism and stories told in Pagan cultures.

Do you edit your own work? If so, explain why.

Yes, I edit my own work because when I come up with the concept of the photo shoot I have a vision of how I would like the final product to look. My images go beyond the basic retouching, I add layers of colour, contrast and textures to finish the image, and it is hard to convey those instructions to other creative artists when it is a personal decision to edit an image a certain way.

When do you know your image is done when editing? What gives you that indication?

My images go through a long process of editing, sometimes three to four versions before I decide which is telling the story I want the image to portray. The image is finished when I can look at it and I can feel the story come to life, or when the title of the image comes to mind; the titles play a large part in my process.

Are you hands on, or prefer to let the artist/team you invite to work on a shoot? Do you take input, or is it all your way or the highway? Why?

I am really hands on but I definitely welcome any input. I am only one person and there are so many ways to interpret a theme.

What was your favorite shoot? Why?

My favourite shoot would be when my dear friend Chris Champagne and I set out on a cold stormy day to embark on the true beginning of my new path in art — the day I decided to pursue Fine Art work. The emotions of fear and excitement were overwhelming but it felt like I was finally coming home, to a place that allowed me to show my passion without hinderance. The image from that shoot was titled “Silence” because for so many years I had silenced my heart to my true pursuit and even in the freezing rain we both found exhilarating joy in that silence.

What does Dark Beauty mean to you? In depth feeling, a mood, or visual? Explain.

The two words of Dark Beauty resonate with me because that is a main goal in my work, to show the beauty in darkness. Even at the most heart wrenching moments there can be a glimmer of beauty– or at least wisdom.

What is your idea of success? Why?

Success means being able to wake up and be inspired by your day. To be able to allow all experiences, positive and negative to help propel you forward and to build a wiser self. I believe success means having a life that is full of experiences with those you love and to be able to live and breathe every moment as passionately as possible.

Have you reached your ultimate level in your work? If not, what is your next step? Why?

Oh definitely not! I barely feel like I have scratched the surface of my potential and ideas. Over the next few years I’ll be working on larger projects as well as incorporating handmade pieces such as headdresses, jewelry, and masks. I can see video work in the future, though that date hasn’t been pinned down yet.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Explain.

I see myself continuing down the same road, creating better work in a vast number of locations around the world. The models, artists and assistants I work with now are amazing and I want to continue to deepen the bond I have with them and have us all grow together.

Why did you choose Dark Beauty as a publication to get published in? Why us instead of another? Why?

I have always had it as my goal to get into Dark Beauty and here we are! Many brilliant and unique artists are showcased in this magazine, and many have inspired me to throw myself into the deep end and to just experience the depth of creative inspiration.

Do you prefer paper to digital? Why is it important to you?

I prefer paper. For the longest time I never printed out my work, I had a mixed bag of excuses but when it came down to it, printing was an official step into completing a work. As a younger artist I never saw my work as finished. Now, after a few years of experience I realize that I have to finish projects and when they are printed, they have this magical quality about them– something that you can hold in your hand and experience away from technology.

What complications do you face in todays market of art? Money, business, competition? Why?

I would say finding the right audience for me is the largest complication. Finding my tribe of like-minded people has been difficult as I was a very withdrawn person, now though, I am starting to find my tribe.

Do you feel valued as an artist/photographer/designer? If you do/don’t, why?

I feel more valued now as an artist than I used to. Though I think the feelings of value are more about how much self-confidence we actually have within our own heads. When you feel like you have no clue what you are doing, we tend to perceive others believe that we have no clue as well. Truth be told, art is about jumping in the unknown, embrace it and people will value and respect you because you are true to your path.

What would you like to see change in the industry? Can you change it? Motivate? Have ideas? Why?

I would love to see a larger sense of community– because of social media we have this amazing ability to share our ideas, our work and our progress with each other all over the world. The problem with social media is there is a screen to hide behind and there are many who wish to break new artists down in order to secure their spot in the hierarchy. It turns the industry a little sour when the competitive side is so prevalent. A little competitiveness is fantastic, it pushes us all to grow and step outside our comfort zone. If, as a group of creative individuals, we can build a stronger community that supports everyone, I am sure there will be a place for us all.

What do you want to be remembered for? History, fame, work? Why?

That I was a listener. I want people to be able to share their stories with me and to allow themselves to be vulnerable and authentic, even for a fleeting moment during the photo shoot.

How do you want to inspire the world? Why?

My dream is for more artists to take a step back and ask one question: “Who am I?” I believe art is a pursuit to understand who we truly are. It is a way to explore and interpret the world around us and also what we can bring to the world. Everyone has a dream that is worth pursuing and everyone is worthy of achieving that dream. I want to be there and help others realize that dream can become their reality as well as my own.

Art Director/Photographer/Makeup/Body Painter: Sam Kaczur
Models: Chris Champagne, Mic McTavish, Brittany Oakes, and Lillian Liu.
Assistant: Chris Champagne

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