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 donāt really have a distinct process I follow every time.
Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Sony A6500, Sony FS700, BMPCC4K
Experience:Ā 10 years
When did you start shooting and how did this love for photography happen? What is your view about photography?
Iāve 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. š
Thatās 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. Itās 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. Hmmmmā¦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. š
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 videoād 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 itās photography or video or whatever, just keep at it. Never take a day off (i mean, of course take care of yourself), but Iāve found that itās 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 donāt know. LOTS. I think one big one is thinking that itās all about the next purchase. āIf only I could have this better camera, or better lens.ā I think thatās really limiting in regards to what you can create.
Just go out and do it, and youāre going to make mistakes, take A LOT of bad pictures, but youāll 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 didnāt 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 hereās a video: https://vimeo.com/254850040
Actually, two: https://vimeo.com/294217938
The first one, āthis is Indiaā I made for fun, and it always brings up my energy levels when I watch it, and honestly, I still canāt believe that I made it. š
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, youād think it was one of the most fun trips ever! haha!
In regards to a photo, hereās one that I took recently.
I think the colors are just amazing. This was in India at a womenās empowerment educational school. I love how itās centered, and how sheās smiling but you can tell sheās nervous to have her photo taken, itās so innocent.
What do you do to keep motivated, and not lose your passion for photography?
I donāt know. Thatās a great question! Itās difficult when itās what you do for work as well. I think itās 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) thatās 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 donāt create. Some days I donāt want to go to work. Some days I donāt 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 Iām a creator, and I create ALOT, so why not give it away to people who can use it! š Spread the love, spread the joy, spread the content!
How fo you promote yourself as photographer?
I donāt. I honestly donāt have that skill, I think my work speaks for itself.
Share your goal in photography?
I donāt have goals. š
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!
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