Interview with photographer #28: Kelly Lacy (USA, Documentary Photography)

Name: Kelly Lacy

Age: 31

Location: Tennessee, USA

Style: My mains style of photography/videography is documentary, I show up, see what looks good, and shoot, I don’t really have a distinct process I follow every time.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Sony A6500, Sony FS700, BMPCC4K

Experience: 10 years

Website: makebeautiful.co

Social media:

Instagram

Pexels

When did you start shooting and how did this love for photography happen? What is your view about photography?

I’ve always been doing something in regards to video or random creative stuff. When I was in middle school my friends and I would have fun by making stupid movies with our handycams.

Photography only started when my sister got a Canon DSLR for Christmas one year and I got jealous of her, so I wanted one. 😀

That’s when my interest in photography started, and it turns out I was good at it, seeing the world in an entirely different way then other people. So I kept at it. It’s a beautiful way to show culture/emotion and translate that in an easy way to understand.

Apart from photography, tell me about your hobbies and interests?

Hobbies and Interests. Hmmmm…reading, definitely sci fi, outdoors, I love running. I love coffee, a good tea. I love science and space, sitting out in the grass and looking up at the great bit universe around us. Plants. I have ALOT of plant babies back at my house. 😀

Which genre of photography do you like/practice and why?

Documentary. Because that is the one that comes easiest to me. I like to create, to capture, and it feels good to be able to walk around and capture something that may have never been photographed or video’d before.

Almost 90% of photographers find it hard to earn money out of photography. Any tips that might help photographers to earn money?

Work on skill. Keep creating. Keep creating. Keep creating. Whether it’s photography or video or whatever, just keep at it. Never take a day off (i mean, of course take care of yourself), but I’ve found that it’s the fact that I keep creating, keep trying to move myself forward, that keeps other people coming to me for my creative outlook.

What mistakes did you make when you started taking pictures?

Shoot. I don’t know. LOTS. I think one big one is thinking that it’s all about the next purchase. “If only I could have this better camera, or better lens.” I think that’s really limiting in regards to what you can create.

Just go out and do it, and you’re going to make mistakes, take A LOT of bad pictures, but you’ll get some good ones out of it. Fear is a big deterrent for me, I wish I had done of lot of things that I didn’t do because I was too afraid to take a step out there and shoot the video or take the photo.

Which photo are you currently most proud of? Tell us a story about this photo please.

Well. I mostly do video, so here’s a video: https://vimeo.com/254850040

Actually, two: https://vimeo.com/294217938

The first one, “this is India” I made for fun, and it always brings up my energy levels when I watch it, and honestly, I still can’t believe that I made it. 😀

The second one is a great example of the power of video, and MUSIC. I was going on a trip to Italy with my friend, and my anxiety was way way high, and honestly, it was one of the worst vacation trips of my life, because my brain was freaking out, but if you watched this video, you’d think it was one of the most fun trips ever! haha!

In regards to a photo, here’s one that I took recently.

I think the colors are just amazing. This was in India at a women’s empowerment educational school. I love how it’s centered, and how she’s smiling but you can tell she’s nervous to have her photo taken, it’s so innocent.

What do you do to keep motivated, and not lose your passion for photography?

I don’t know. That’s a great question! It’s difficult when it’s what you do for work as well. I think it’s ALWAYS a good idea to take time off from your camera or work, and go out into nature, read books, take in different forms of creativity, let your heart and brain breathe a little bit, because being in a culture (the internet, social media, etc etc) that’s so saturated with photo and video content it can be overwhelming and numbing sometimes. So getting away from all that, even if just for a little while, can be a revitalizing experience.

My friends keep me motivated. Some days I don’t create. Some days I don’t want to go to work. Some days I don’t give a shit. But I can usually get myself up and keep shooting or creating because I know other people care about what I do, and what I do makes a difference.

Why are you giving away your photos on Pexels/Unsplash?

Because I’m a creator, and I create ALOT, so why not give it away to people who can use it! 😀 Spread the love, spread the joy, spread the content!

How fo you promote yourself as photographer?

I don’t. I honestly don’t have that skill, I think my work speaks for itself.

Share your goal in photography?

I don’t have goals. 🙂

Is there a photo you dream of taking?

As of right now, no.

Do you know where your next mission or project will be?

I do not!

Final words of wisdom you would like to share?

Just keep at it. Some days it will flow and other days it will feel as though the whole universe is moving against you, but keep at it.

Thanks a lot Kelly! I wish you the most juicy shots!