LOUSCIOUS FEATURE - Interview with New York Fashion Photographer Frank Louis
This Feature Series is indeed a matter dear to my heart. Today the fantastic
New York-based Fashion Photographer Frank Louis
is answering some questions for the blog.
Genre: Fashion & People Photography
Instagram: Photography: @franklouisphoto @franklouisbeauty
Website: www.franklouis.com
We collaborated already several times and I´m so thankful that Frank is trusting me with his work constantly.
But now let´s start with our little interview.
Tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from?
Hmmm. Let's see. I'm 100% Italian but born in NYC. My parents did not speak Italian to assimilate into their new culture.
Still, I have studied the language, and I'd say I'm conversational.
How long are you in the business?
The short answer is 14 years. The long answer is…. My mother bought me a camera at a very early age.
I think I was 9 or so. I remember being struck by the fact that a photo captures a split second in time that can never be exactly duplicated.
I also recall how I would hold up my camera; everyone would shy away. When I showed them the final results in a photo album,
my entire family would gather around and laugh and smile. I loved that feeling of family togetherness and laughter.
I went to college and studied computer science, but my love for photography never diminished.
I felt my daytime studies tapped into a different part of my brain than did my photography, and I loved the mix of doing both.
I took maybe 2 or 3 photography classes, but the rest was all self-taught.
I taught myself studio lighting and feel that it is one of my areas of strength. When photography transitioned to the digital format,
it was as if my two worlds collided. I quit my day job 14 years ago and never looked back.
What inspires you?
I find my inspiration almost everywhere. I am naturally drawn towards beauty: male and female and a huge fan of pop music and movies.
Music videos like Madonna's "Rain," or George Michael's "Freedom" or Gwen Stephanie's "Cool" or
"Glitter in the Air" by Pink have definitely impacted my work. I also remember sitting in the movie theater watching
the movie "A Single Man" by Tom Ford and almost climbing out of my skin at how beautiful the imagery was.
I wanted to run home and shoot. Actually, anything by Tom Ford makes me want to shoot. I love how he mixes male and female sexuality together.
Whose work has influenced you the most ?
I'd have to say Greg Gorman, Herb Ritts, more recently Mert and Marcus.
Can you describe that "moment" (experience, emotion,) when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
I'd say the family memories I had mentioned above but honestly it is continuous for me.
Recently I saw a pair of men's dress slacks in the window of a store and immediately had a vision of how I'd shoot them.
This lead to a model casting with the agents, a meeting with the designer, me booking a hairstylist and then the shoot.
Upon completion and looking at the final images in a magazine…. I get that "moment."
It's the sense of starting with nothing and creating something amazing.
Describe your photographic style.
I always find this question very difficult. I think my broad range of shooting confuses many in the industry.
For example, I've been told by several agents to pick either to shoot women OR men.
It was even suggested that I choose between women's fashion and women's beauty. I love it all and am equally passionate about it all.
Men's and women's beauty, body, and fashion. I'd say the through-line through all of my work is classic, clean, beauty-focused,
a bit sensual at times. I don't like a lot of props or distractions. It's all about the model.
Pet Peeves
I don't like those colored lights that everyone seems to be shooting with. It seems like a fad.
Magazines that are now asking photographers to pay for covers or stories.
What is a big goal for you - career-wise?
Also a difficult question for me, but I would say the following 3 items in any order:
Do more celebrity portraiture. Is Matt Bomer, Cheyenne Jackson, Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie or Madonna reading this?
Have an editorial in GQ or Vanity Fair
Continue to have a steady stream of loyal clients
3 People you're dying to work with
See the answers above, but add Adam Lambert.
I think he is much more handsome than any image I have seen of him.
Did you ever think about quitting ?
I never think of quitting the work. Sometimes I do think of quitting the marketing part of it.
It would be nice to just shoot for myself and not worry about pleasing others.
What motivates you to continue taking pictures (economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally)?
The feeling of creating.
How important is social media for your career?
Hugely. I was plodding on the uptake of Instagram, and growth for me has been very slow and all organic.
What kind of music do you hear while editing pictures?
It depends upon my mood. Often I get myself hopped up on caffeine and put on loud, deep house or tribal house music.
Others can be more chill and ambient remixes.
What kind of gear do you use?
I'm Nikon all the way.
What's your favorite lens?
My fixed Nikon 55mm 1.4
How has photography influenced you as a person?
Great question. Ironically, in many ways, it has made me more secure in myself. Most times I am photographing a model with extraordinary beauty,
and often they are very insecure. I ask myself if they have "all that" and they are anxious, what's the point?
Obviously, physical beauty is not the most important characteristic of someone, in this industry, I'm surrounded by it all the time.
I have learned that there is beauty in everyone. I've also learned to trust my instincts and vision as a photographer
and in everyday life. I'm pleasantly surprised that my instincts serve me well.
How did you develop your style?
Organically. Nothing planned out. It started with family, went to photos of iconic bridges, to travel photography, to shooting my husband
who used to model. From there, the agencies began calling, and the rest is history. I'm all self-taught.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
There is no right or wrong.
You accidentally ate some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the Super-Power of your choice! What's it gonna be?
To be the male version Bewitched or I Dream of Jeanine.
Name the top five things to take with you during a Zombie Outbreak.
My husband. My puppy. My images (to reimagine on my computer). My camera (just in case a hot zombie walks by) and my Madonna Music catalog
What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? Name 3.
I Love My Life – Robbie Williams
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – by anybody but preferred by George Michael or Celine Dion
Rain – by Madonna
