samera paz photography interview

Despite living smack-bang in the centre of Washington D.C, you won't find old monuments and stern scenes in Samera Paz's snaps. Instead, she turns her lens onto the people around her – her pals, family and fellow Washingtonians – to capture intimate and genuine images of the real Nation's Capital.

We asked her a few questions about her snap-happy ways.



What is your name and how old are you? My name is Samera Paz. I'm 20 years old.

How does where you live affect your photography? I live in the capital of the United States. Millions of people visit my hometown every year, but they never get to experience it the way I do. Through my photography I like to show the reality of this place. What we do for fun, how we live and the many characters we meet. We have so much culture and history here but everyday it's being torn down for condos and yoghurt shops. It has influenced my work to be as real as possible despite the changes in my environment.

What areas, things or people in your neighbourhood do you most like to photograph? Taking pictures of strangers in my area is always an adventure! They always have outrageous stories they're willing to share with me. I also like to capture the things that people walk by every day but never look twice at.



Is there a certain camera or type of film that you wish you could own? The Canon AE-1 film camera and A200 film, to be specific. I want to use as many cameras and film types I can get my hands on.

Is there a running theme to the work you create, or do you just make whatever comes to mind? It's definitely both. I have a great interest in photojournalism and I love to document stories that have raw emotion and truth to them. Then there's another side to my work that's carefree and crazy and that's when I shoot my friends doing weird things for fun. Overall, the truth is what I'm looking for in anything I shoot.

What kinds of ideas are you working on at the moment? I've put my photo projects on hold for the moment. Lately I've just been brainstorming ideas and capturing local artists and their journeys. My camera has been pointed at one artist in particular. It's been interesting to see my love for him flow through my work and pictures. He's become my muse and the biggest inspiration in my life.



Do you take the same care with personal photographs as you do with commercial/artistic work? Oh yes, definitely. I try to have some kind of emotional connection with anything I create. There's always a deeper meaning and story with the people I choose to photograph. Whatever I go through in life always ends up on film. I'm an open book through my art. I recently photographed an event at a local high school, and shooting events isn't exactly my specialty so I doubted that I would be right for the job. I found one subject I could connect to and shooting became way easier for me. Storytelling is what I love and look for and once I can do that, I'm invincible.

If you were to teach a photography appreciation class, what kind of lessons would you try to teach your students? The importance of telling your own story! How can you possibly document someone else's life through pictures without knowing your own story first? Self-timer and self-portraits are so necessary. There have been countless times when I've had amazing photoshoot ideas but no one to photograph. When that happens you need to press that 10-second self-timer button and run into position. Ideas shouldn't go to waste because there's a lack of models. Another lesson would be how to capture someone's life in pictures without always pointing the camera to their face. I learned that from a White House photographer whose job was to photograph President Obama.



What are the hallmarks of a great photographer? Having a distinct style that can be noticed before even reading a caption. Terry Richardson and Pretty Puke are great examples of that. I can see their photographs and instantly know that this is their work. They've got their own unique styles that no one can duplicate. One day I want people to see my photos and just know that it's me.

What are some of the challenges that you are facing in modern times as a photographer? Anyone who has a camera can call themselves a photographer... but that's none of my business.

What other photographers do you love? Petra Collins, Pretty Puke, Diana Walker, JR, Ed Kashi, Barbara Davidson and Tamara Lichtenstein. I've been lucky enough to meet and work alongside some of them and they've been inspiring me ever since.



What do you enjoy doing when not taking photos? There's rarely ever a time when I'm not taking photos. Sometimes I'm even taking pictures in my dreams! I love to spend time with my family, Netflix, climbing trees and rooftops.

Where can we see more of your work? For my photography projects visit cargocollective.com/samerapaz. Photos from my everyday life and adventures are on samera-flowers.tumblr.com and Instagram @sameraaaaa.