Conversations with Sonya Bowman

These days I focus on product and fashion photography for e-commerce as well as headshots for actors and business professionals. I love that my schedule is so varied and that every day is different. Some days I’m glued to my camera, headphones in and hiding from the world while fidgeting with the fine details of jewelry. Some days I might be on location in Malibu, chasing light and having fun with colleagues. Another day I’m leading a full crew as we shoot fashion with models, hair and makeup artists, stylists, and producers. Although I enjoy all of those, portraiture has always held a special place in my heart. Getting to know someone, finding out what they want to convey in their headshot, and expressing that in a photograph is always a satisfying endeavor.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not say it’s been a smooth road, but it certainly has been a rewarding one. Photography is an industry that was dominated by men well into the 2000s, so even finding photographers to work with was difficult initially. I often had to offer my services as a cleaning/organization person to convince some photographers to give me a shot. I can’t tell you how many studio bathrooms I’ve cleaned, how many grip rooms I’ve organized, how many personal errands I’ve run, just to be near photography. Even after establishing myself as a camera assistant and then as a photographer, it was a tricky business master, particularly working freelance. For many years I worked full-time at in-house studios because the ups and downs of freelance work was too stressful for me. The freedom to make my own schedule was far too appealing to give up that dream, though. I had to acquire an entirely new skill set to be able to run my own business, so there were certainly growing pains along the way. Anything worth having is worth working for, and since I love what I do, even the long days don’t feel like a burden.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love that photography is a collaborative endeavor. Everyone who works on a photo shoot brings something to the table. The phrase “teamwork makes the dream work,” is a genuine motto for photographers, we do not work alone, so I surround myself with talented professionals who have a good sense of humor to see us through the long days on set. As for what sets me apart, I would say it is my lifelong dedication to the craft. I continue to do “test shoots,” which are unpaid collaborations to work out new ideas. I remain inspired by taking in art and always listening to music.

What were you like growing up?
My imagination was boundless, I had a whole life that I lived out in the woods behind my house, an entire story that only I understood. I was always interested in art. I loved to draw, paint, and make things. I also loved reading and was a dedicated student, but I was also an outsider. I discovered I felt more powerful wearing black in 7th grade and it is still my go-to look. In high school I started watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, which was huge for me. There I saw people who left their homes to go off and pursue their own dreams, and I realized I could leave my small town and do what I wanted, finding other like-minded people along the way.