An Interview with Truehart
Q: What initially sparked your interest in photography, and how has that passion grown over the years?
When I was a kid my dad would always film things and I wanted to be like my dad growing up and one day he got me a camera. I was not good at taking photos at all, Id take photos of my stuffed animals, friends and random things outside.
As I grew older I still enjoyed taking pictured and making memories that lasted with friends and family. I eventually learned that my grandfather was a photographer and worked for the daily gazette taking photos for the news paper and more. So in a way im keeping his legacy of Truehart Photography alive.
Around high school I stopped taking photos with a camera and used my windows phone at the time which honestly had pretty great quality. I also took photos of friends and events at school. I never relized that my photos would end up being memories until a close friend passed away and a photo I had taken of them ended up being one of the most recent photos of them. That felt really special that I was able to share that photo with their family and see them happy about how happy they where in the photo. After that I didnt take too many photos and just thought back on things.
I really picked up photography more when I was in collage and had to take two classes in it. Working with an entry level DSLR was really fun to learn the settings and how to capture amazing images like you see online! I was able to stop motion or show motion with images. I learned product photography and how to work in a basic studio set up!
After that I started taking senior photos for my few friends who where in their last year of high school and photos of friends for the fun of it. After collage I focused on work but still missed taking photos. So i bought myself a Mirrorless camera and started doing a lot of TFP work. Once I relized I wasnt bad at taking photos and seeing how happy it made people I wanted to do more and continue this journey as a photographer!
Q: Could you share a memorable or defining moment in your photography journey that has shaped your artistic vision?
When thinking about what my “artistic vision” is I dont really know if i have one. I enjoy caputing people being who they are and the beautiful person they are. Being able to work with people in all shapes, sizes and color truly makes me happy!
Im always down for any artistic visions anyone comes to me with and I have had the honnor of working with some pretty creative individuals! From those who like spooky all year to those who like to get spicy or keep things cute and simple, I enjoy everything creative no matter how simple or complex. I recently started making set designs of my own for a base for others creativity like the candy minis I hosted in July 2023. (attach image example i can send a few if you like)
However I had someone recently reach out to me for a photoshoot because they where plus sized and saw work I done with other plus sized people and where blown away how amazing I made them look and that truely warmed my heart (no pun intended) and I couldnt be happier that I made someone feel confident enough to get infront of the camera for once.
Q: Photography often captures emotions and stories. Can you recount an instance where your photos conveyed a powerful message or evoked a strong reaction?
I feel like weddings are always the perfect setting to capture emotion and stories that people will love forever. I have one person who I filmed their wedding and they knew I also did photography and rach out to me every time they need photos ever since I did their wedding. I had no idea I was their go to photographer until I was taking photos at their friends wedding reception and shared a table with them. It made me feel amazing knowing that my work had that much of an impact on them that they continue to come back for more photos and recommend me to their friends.
As for an instance where my photos conveyed a powerful message or strong response I would say most times when I send people their photos i get a really strong response from them being really happy about their photos or how amazing they look. Even if they where not feeling so hot at the start of the shoot. Recently I shared a photo with someone and they where just speachless and amazed with their photo and I also feel really proud of it too! It made me feel validated that something I felt so proud of amazed someone so much they had no words to express how much they liked it! (Attach image of atlas at waterfall shoot)
Q: In your opinion, what makes a photograph truly stand out and resonate with viewers?
Honestly photos showing people being themselves and not overly edited or having someone in a pose they would never do. Showing beauty in who people are is really important in my eyes and I feel like others feel the same way. Even if its a simple someone reclined on a bed reading a good book, some of those are the best shots that people love. (attach image from cozy shoot)
No one likes a super doctored image that fixes all their flaws because thats not them. It might be who they want to be but that can sometimes make people upset that they dont look like that. So Showing those stretch marks, those freckles, birthmarks, all of the small things that make people who they are is really important! Let them see how beautiful or handsom they are being themselves!
Q: Family and friends play a significant role in your life. How does your personal connection with me and others influence your work behind the lens?
For sure friends and family play a significant roll in my life as a creative! Growing up I was always surrounded by creative people. My grandmother would paint ceramics, my mom and aunt sewed, my dad built computers, and my friends and I would always enjoy small craft projects. Creativity has always been around me and something I always been passionate about. I even have a bachelors in Graphics Multimedia and Web design for that vary reason!
Even today my friends and family support me with my creative outlet which is photography. Friends will come to me with their ideas and we will work together to make them a reality. Weather it be booking a shoot with me or even buying small props or backdrops for my studio I appreciate everyone thats help support me on my journey.
Devon honestly has done a TON of just that aswell. Hes gotten me backdrops, props, worked with me in the studio or outdoor shoots. Its fun to have someone to bounce ideas off of and talk about editing with. Devon helps push me to learn more about editing honestly because he comes to me with questions on how to do something that im not too sure how to do in photoshop or I kinda know how to do but dont have much experience with. Because of that I end up looking things up and learning or practice more on how to perfect something.
Q: Can you describe a favorite photography project or session that you've worked on? What made it special and rewarding for you?
This is truly the hardest question ever because I feel like every new project or session I do ends up being my favoret. At this moment its a waterfall shoot I did with friends and you! (attach 2-4 images)
I am constently learning and experimenting with angels, helping people pose and editing. Because of that I feel like im always improving since I push myself to do just that, keep trying new things, and keep learning new things. Theres never a dull moment or photosession when your always trying to improve and think ok there was a few things that could have been better. Well now i know for next time! Then actually try that next time.
Its amazing to look back at photos I taken a few years ago or even a year ago and see how much I have grown and that is what is extremely rewarding to see! To see that all the effort into learning and trying new things actually work.
Q: The creative process can be both exhilarating and challenging. How do you overcome creative blocks or seek inspiration when you're feeling stuck?
Ever since high school when I took graphic communications I was taught to not make one design but 3-4 designs for everything, even a simple poster. I honestly think that lession has helped me a ton on avoiding writers block because theres always more than 1 way to do something. I can always go back and do another candy shoot but change something about it to make it different, I can always do another mermaid shoot in a different location and poses. Theres always something you can do differently. This also can relate to inspiration you find.
I love social media mainly because its a wonderful place to connect with people and find inspiration! There might be a a drawing that comes up of a girl in space with a bubble helmet and you mght be like woah I can probably do something like that with photography and photoshop! I have done that before taken inspiration from drawings. There is so much out there on the internet and you might even see two totally different things and be like woah what if i mashed those two ideas together? There is unlimited inspiration out there its all about finding it and adding your own twist.
Theres also other photographers who might do something like a candy shoot, and sometimes others have the same idea. Its always amazing to see how the same idea can have really different results because everyones creative vision is different! As long as your not trying to recreate someone elses work and just using it as inspiration and add your own twist to the idea I think its a creative way to get over creative block.
Q: Technology and equipment continue to evolve in the world of photography. How do you balance staying up-to-date with trends while maintaining your unique style?
Technology is always changing but when I stared taking photography classes I did a ton of research and some of my favoriet videos I found was a series of “Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera Challenge” by DigitalRevTV on youtube. I binged every single one of them at the time and I learned so much about how it doesnt really matter what your shooting with, its about the creative behind the lens. Having a vision is way more important then the equipment. Because of this when anyone asks me how to get started in photography I recommend they start with their phone. Something they already have. Then upgrade as they get better.
Theres always new trends every year but some are pretty consistent. For example Barbie is a huge trend right now that I havent gotten on the band waggon with yet because im still catching up on other things. Theres other trends that always come up though like halloween, Holidays, Senior Photos, Weddings, and more. Its all about balancing the consistent trends with the new trends that people might want to do.
However, I tend to have ideas and do those instead of doing whats “trendy.” Unless someone asks of course! You never know if you keep doing new ideas and things you might start the next trend! Thats kind of how they work is someone tries something new and others are like “WOAH” and try to mimic it.
I dont really think I have a photography style or if I do im not sure what id call it. I kinda just edit photos however I feel fit best for the theme. I take into mind who the photos are for, their personality and personal style preferances and go from there. I dont create for myself I create for others. Which honestly is why I slack at my own marketing so much!
Q: Photography often involves capturing fleeting moments. Are there any particular memories or images you've taken that hold a special place in your heart?
I love the moments when im talking to someone during a shoot and make them laugh and capturing that genuin joy on their face. That will always have a special place in my heart. Theres also a ton of moments I capture that are behind the scenes that sometimes have funny moments! For example I have a photo where my mom was tossing bread twords someone else to try to get a seagul to show up in frame and they got a little too close and the person in the photo is just scream/laughing. (attach photo of atlus at beach) These are really fun memories where a single snapshot sparks a whole memory/event that happened that day! Its incredible how photos can do just that.
