Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Woolley.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always spent a lot of time in my own imagination. I grew up in a really small town, spent most of my childhood in our park-sized yard playing alone in epic places I created in my head. And I guess I have never really stopped. I come from a family with quite a few artists, so I have always been encouraged to create. My primary work right now is photography, but I have never really felt tied to one particular medium. I just like to world-build. Sometimes that comes out through fashion editorials, sometimes painting, sometimes costume or production design. It all kind of feels similar to me. And I have never been able to imagine doing anything else.
Please tell us about your art.
I shoot weddings quite often, which I love. There are so many second long moments that hold so much joy or emotion. And capturing that in a photograph is something that I find really special. I like to bring that same idea to anything that I am shooting though. When I shoot something more editorial, I still like to build a story around it. I like to have a narrative. I think that fosters those same organic moments. Which I guess is really what I am always trying to do in all of my work. Create a world and then just let it play out the way it wants to.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think every artist has an imposter syndrome. The feeling that what you are doing isn’t real and that someone is going to call you on it any moment. I think that has always existed in creative people, but I think social media makes that even more difficult. In some regards it is so positive. We are exposed to so many talented people all across the world, and the platform that it gives people is pretty undeniable. But it also makes it easier to compare yourself to others. To get wrapped up in numbers and algorithims and forgot why you even do this thing in the first place.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am still coming around to social media, it has never felt very natural to me. I have a website, and multiple Instagram accounts that I delete and bring back to life with manic frequency. But what I really love is connecting with someone in person and creating something for the sake of doing it. Regardless of the outcome, it is the process that I really love. And the way you get to experience a person when you are making art together. That feels so lovely and real. So I guess the answer would be, reach out to me, share what you like to do, collaborate. I think that is the best way to support any artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: soletlunaphoto.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: cest_la_mo
Image Credit:
all photos were taken by me, expect the one of myself which was taken by Loretta Richert
