Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Solanki.
Lara, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My story is still a work in progress but I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to take a passion for photography and make a career out of it. It took awhile to realize that there is no one right way to do anything! Constant learning and being flexible is really important when working as a freelance artist. One other important aspect I realized is to stop comparing your goals and successes to somebody else’s.
It’s great to talk to people and learn from those who have had a similar path but I had to learn to make decisions that were best for me and not just do what worked for someone else. I’m constantly evolving because what I thought I wanted five years ago is not the same anymore today. I have accepted the fact that there will ALWAYS be ups and downs and pros and cons to choosing this lifestyle where you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from next.
It’s not a new saying but it’s truly the journey that counts and not the destination. Although having a destination in mind does help but that can always change too!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m a working photographer as an on-set stills photographer for film, tv, and commercials but I also spend time creating fine art with photography as my medium. Sometimes I learn something about myself on a job that I bring to my art and sometimes the time I spend on my art introduces a new aspect of myself that I can bring to my jobs. Half of my paid work is documentary based and capturing uninterrupted moments on a production and the other half requires me to create my own lighting setups and direct my subjects. I love doing both because they utilize different skills that I’ve developed over the years.
On a job, I understand and listen to what the client needs and I deliver what they want but sometimes I make suggestions based on my own experience of what has worked and what hasn’t in the past. From a business and professional standpoint, this is really important because anyone can hire someone with a camera. What makes you unique as a photographer and artist is what you can bring to the table yourself. On my own time, I’m constantly experimenting and trying new things so that I can elevate what I have to offer.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
The first step to connecting with other artists is to let people know that you want to connect whether it be for collaboration, a support system, a job, etc. Even if you tell friends that aren’t necessarily “artists”, they might meet or know someone that knows someone that will be a good connection for you.
I’ve had connections turn into really awesome friendships while other connections didn’t go anywhere. It’s okay if nothing happens. But it’s really awesome when you put yourself out there and something does happen. You can’t sit in your dark hole and expect people to come to you and offer up everything you want. Networking is real and necessary but it doesn’t have to be a social nightmare.
Starting off with social media is not bad but personal connections go a lot farther. You will find what works for you but at the end of the day, you have to be honest with yourself about what it is you really want and why.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My film/tv/commercial production work can be viewed at this website. And I update more often with recent work on my Instagram.
Some of my personal work has been shown at group shows at galleries such as AC Gallery in Hollywood, 1650 Gallery in Echo Park, and the Pennsylvania Center for Photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestillsgirl.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @larasolanki
- Other: www.larasolanki.com
Image Credit:
Spencer Brennan
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