“Freezing these filled with feelings and emotions little fractions of the seconds that go by so fast, most of the time unnoticed. This is what I want to transmit I guess.”

Violet Gray (born in 1986) is a fine art photographer from Bulgaria. She’s self-taught when it comes to photography. For Violet Gray photography is all about capturing fleeting moments that otherwise would have gone by unnoticed.

Artist statement

“I like creating painterly conceptual photographs inspired by emotions and feelings.”

Interview with Violet Gray

Violet, what was your most memorable moment shooting pictures?

I don’t think I have just one memorable moment. Each time I am shooting a picture, there is something that sticks, and like a ghost remains in the photos. Then even after a while when I look at the photo I can remember almost everything about the shooting, or the location.

Why did you become a photographer?

I have always loved taking pictures. It started with the first camera we had when I was little. It was a very natural process.

What does photography mean to you and what do you want to say with your pictures?

To me photography, and art in general, is beautiful and magical. To be able to capture brief moments in time and making them timeless. Freezing these filled with feelings and emotions little fractions of the seconds that go by so fast, most of the time unnoticed. This is what I want to transmit I guess. Moments. Emotions.

Which photographer has inspired you most?

Hm, I don’t really have a favorite photographer. Art inspires me. In every way.

Your favorite photography quote?

I don’t have a favorite, probably because I can’t remember them all. But I recently came across this one and I loved it.

“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”

Eudora Welty

How would you describe your photographic voice and creative process?

I don’t really know if I have a ‘photorgaphic voice’, not yet anyway. Maybe this is something other people should tell. I am still in the process of finding it I guess.

My creative process – if I have to describe it with one word it would be – experimental. Every photo is a different one, even if they are series.

What’s important in order to develop an own photographic voice?

“I can’t imagine someone telling me how to shoot or what should be in the photo and what shoudn’t. Or how to edit. You have to find it for yourself.”

Well, as I said – experimenting. I think this is the most important thing. The best way to find new techniques, different approaches and find out what works best for you and most importantly, what you like. That is why I have never wanted to study photography. I can’t imagine someone telling me how to shoot or what should be in the photo and what shoudn’t. Or how to edit. You have to find it for yourself.

What do you consider to be the axis of your work – technically and conceptually?

Technically I think what I use the most are textures. I love paintings and impressionism in particular, and abstract works of art, so I have always loved to give my photos that kind of a painterly and sometimes abstract look. It very much depends of the moment, what I am feeling, thinking of, listening to. Conceptually – feelings.

What qualities and characteristics does a good photographer need?

I don’t think there is something certain you must have or be to be a good photographer. I think it is important to be true to yourself and photograph the things that stir your soul the most. When that happens, magic happens – and a good photo is born.

What does a photo need to be a great photo in your eyes? Especially keeping in mind the over abundance of photographic imagery in today’s society.

A great photo in my eyes would be the one that will bring some kind of emotion.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your photographic projects?

“Big inspiration is music, and works of other photographers, and painters I stumble across.”

It is always different. Sometimes it’s an emotion, other times it could be a photo or other work of art I came across on the internet, or in a gallery. I may not have ideas for months and then all of a sudden I could write pages worth of them. Big inspiration is music and works of other photographers and painters I stumble across.

What kind of photography equipment (camera etc.) and photographic supplies do you use?

I have a Canon DSLR, couple of lenses, Manfrotto tripod and a remote control – very helpful for the self portraits. And Photoshop.

What’s your favorite website about photography?

“Worbz” is a great photography website. I love scrolling down the Tumblr blogs I am following when I need some inspiration. I browse through Flickr and 500px whenever I can.

What photography book would you recommend?

That might sound weird to many photographers but I don’t read books about photography. I have read some technical stuff in the past, that I might have needed for something I had been working on and did not know how to do at this particular moment, and I own a couple of books, but I have only just quickly browsed through them.

Which advice would you give someone who wants to become a (professional) photographer?

Find out what do you like to shoot the most, then shoot. Simple as that. Let inspiration guide you, and as I already mentioned – experiment!