Behind HER Photography

Michelle Perea
PrideTime Senior Editor

Since the age of five, senior Anna Robinson, has always had a love for photography. The love and interest sparked when her uncle gave her a camera. Fast-forward to her life today, she has her own camera and she takes it with her everywhere to improve and practice on her own skills. Nowadays, anyone can pick up their device and take a photo of whatever they desire. For Robinson, what matters is the true essence, meaning, and light composure.

Her photos vary from people to architecture to nature. When it comes to capturing an image of someone, she would rather see expression and feelings rather than a typical model pose, though she always takes pictures of what is best to her eye. New York City is her perfect photographic setting. Here, she is able to take pictures of absolutely anything and form her uniqueness through the image.

“New York is where I get most of my ideas, I find interesting settings and people and capture their personality from a distance. I tend to ask people if I could take pictures of them, but sometimes I like to capture the art rather than the person.”

Robinson’s style includes stimulating visuals. For her, it’s either add a lot of color or no color at all, there’s no in between. When she takes a picture, she likes to use light-room or Photoshop to mess around with the image and have it to her liking.

“I try to create photos that keep the eye’s of the person admiring the piece moving from one thing to another,” she says.

Though the admiration she has to the photography world, this isn’t something that she would like to go in depth with the future. Right now, Robinson only sees this as a hobby and a potential career, but then again, she's not sure.

“I see myself as only continuing photography as a hobby in the future. I’ve gained other interests so we’ll have to see whatever happens.”

Her friends and family have supported Robinson since the beginning when she sparked interest. Now, her senior year, she is currently in AP Studio Art where she's been able to improve her editing skills and understand the beauty behind photos.

“My family, specifically my mom has been my biggest support. She used to go into New York with me to keep me company while I took photos of people on the street. My friends have also been very supportive, they model for me a lot, which is really fun and always a great learning experience.”

Though her uncle has had the biggest impact on her photography interest, her inspiration came from somewhere else. Robinson’s style is unique but she looks up to famous photographer Bill Cunningham.

“Bill Cunningham. He was a fashion photographer for the New York Times, known for his candid and street photography.”

Photography can accurately capture the emotions and moments which cannot be expressed by words, but can be felt by a good picture. It preserves significant events which Robinson finds the most intriguing.

Her journey and talent level have not come easy for Robinson. The constant comparing and contrasting her work to others, is something she has clashed with in her own work.

“My confidence in my work and abilities, which I feel is something every artists struggles with at some point. You start to compare yourself to others and my view of my own work starts to morph into all negative and no positive.”

If you would like to see more of Robinson’s work, she loves to post her pieces on Instagram. She loves to get feedback from her friends and family in order to improve herself. Go follow her and check out her pieces @annasviewssss.