We recently spoke with Katrina Brown, the winner of our recent photography contest Dreams of Travel, about her stunning light painting work at Joshua Tree and other inspiring locations in Southern California.
What are some of your favorite places to photograph and why?
I love to photograph the Salton Sea area. I am so drawn to things that are discarded and in decay and this place certainly is one of them. It’s as if one day I might see it’s miraculous resurrection and I will have images to tell it’s dilapidated history.
How would you define your style of photography?
My style of photography in general is that the colors are definite and my images are clean. Clean lines, clean color and simple. It’s hard to get out of the commercial mentality of image creation and it seems to creep into every genre I shoot.
Katrina Brown with the 22L Kiboko 2.0 camera backpack
Who are some photographers that have inspired you?
I am immensely inspired by the work of Eric Pare. His light paintings and help have truly changed the trajectory of my art.
What are you shooting with these days? If you had to pick one lens could you? Which would it be?
Today I shoot with 3 Canon 5D Mark IV’s. No way could I pick one lens because I shoot too many different genres.. Weekly I use my macro for miniature photography, my wide angles for astro and light painting and there’s no way I could live without my 70-200 for portraits.
How did you get started in photography?
I’ve always had a camera in my hand since I was 5 but I started commercially in 1994. Originally I wanted to take portrait of my newborn and figured lights and equipment would cost the same as a session and at least I’d have something left over from spending that large amount. After seeing the magic of studio lighting, I began insatiably learning all I could and discovered opportunities to create imagery that can be licensed.
What was the first camera you ever owned?
First camera I ever owned professionally was a Canon Elan. I remember it had eye control and boy what an exciting technology that was at the time!
Can you tell us about the project(s) you're currently working on?
Currently I am working on a series of miniature people working on things like dentistry and medical tools. My plan is to market them to dentists and doctors to decorate their offices.
Find more of Katrina Brown's work at: https://katrinabrownphotographer.smugmug.com/
and on Instagram @redheadkatrina
