The way I Look at the world by Holly Kehrt

I wasn’t looking to be a photographer but for some reason, photography found me. About four years ago, I decided to enroll in a photography class.  I think mostly , I knew I wanted to be able to take better pictures of my son but since then I realize it was much more powerful than that. My instructor at the time was Scott Stulberg and from the moment I sat in class that first night, I knew that we would be together.

 I have been shooting ever since and he is my biggest critic but I’m also so fortunate to be pushed every day by his watchful eye. And it has changed the way I look at the world as my eyes seem to be open much wider every single day.  I see things differently like light, shadow, texture, form and appreciate sunrise and sunsets more than I ever have before in my life. I think photography was the biggest gift that I’ve ever given myself and I can’t imagine doing anything else with more passion. Growing up in the midwest of the United States, I’ve always been drawn to the arts in any medium.

Whether it be dance, drawing, modeling, or acting and photography is just another outlet for my creative mind and I have found that it is the fuel for my soul. What inspires me, the mood, my mood, how I’m feeling inside, whatever it may be, I like to express through my lens and I find myself connecting with my subjects in a dark, moody and romantic way. I must be able to feel the emotion in what I’m shooting before it can be captured and revealed to others. If I am feeling emotionless when picking up my camera, it might be very obvious when viewing my work as I like to bring a piece of myself into my work.

 I want to shoot outside of the “box”, to be daring, different, and to not follow any rules. I am the artist and my frame is my canvas for me to do whatever I feel and see. I love to shoot all sorts of things from travel and people to self portraits and still life; no matter what I’m shooting, I keep my work cohesive with my mood and that particular moment in time. My mood at the moment is dark, yet sensitive, which to me comes across as romantic. I’m sure when my mood shifts to the sunny side, my work will then shift to a lighter, softer mood.