Interview: Photographer Isabelle Herbert (Germany)

Tell us something about yourself

My name is Isabelle Herbert. I live in Stuttgart, Germany, and besides photography, I have an addiction for chocolate, Netflix and shopping.

How and when did you get into photography?

I started taking photos a little more than 2 years ago. I used to stand in front of a camera as a hobby before (I wouldn’t call it modeling) and switched sides when I got the feeling that I might be able to be more creative behind the camera.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is my way of creating something by myself, being creative and bring beauty into my life. As I work as an in-house lawyer in my main job, it’s a nice contrast and it helps me relax. Meeting new people and seeing new places suits me very well, as I would call myself an open and curious personality. Being proud when I finally managed to take exactly the picture I wanted to is a feeling I wouldn’t want to miss as well.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I don’t think I already have found a style others would immediately recognize. I try to point out the personality and beauty of the person I am taking pictures of, I like natural looking colours and don’t like to overdo skin retouch. The environment usually doesn’t play such a big role in my pictures.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I get inspirations from other photographers whose work I adore, from exhibitions, magazines, Pinterest. Sometimes I get inspired by stories I read or hear or places I travel to.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Usually I have one or two pictures in my mind which I want to achieve during a shoot and a rather precise idea of time. The rest of the time I just go with the flow and see where it gets us.

Studio, on location or both?

I don’t like working in the studio at all. It’s too clean, neutral, no distractions, no inspiration, only artificial light. I like being outdoors or on location, with all the different impressions it gives me.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I definitely am a hobbyist and intend to stay one.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I was lucky enough to have had many great shoots, meet wonderful people and lots of these encounters have their place in my memory. If I would have to pick one, I’d say it was my first shoot with Oldtimers in Spring 2016. It was a perfect, hot day with a great team, friends of mine, impressive cars and we had so much fun. When I retouched these pictures, I felt like somehow I had improved a little and was satisfied with the results.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

In the beginning, my source of inspiration was someone I used to like a lot and admired for his work, it kind of motivated me to try to gain his respect. Nowadays, I tend to still be inspired by photographers who somehow manage to catch emotions, something special in their frames, who are recognizable by their work.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Canon 5D Mark III. Sigma Art 50 mm 1.4 .

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Learn the technical basics and then just do your own thing. I can’t give any advice on building a business, as I don’t have one, but I find it important to keep having fun with the shoots you do - if you don’t feel that any more, change something.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like the idea of giving emerging artists a forum to introduce themselves and am excited to see which content is about to come, which people to get to know and what photos to admire.

http://www.facebook.com/IsabelleHerbertFotografie