As an artist, i find inspiration through, among other things,  art of all mediums (yes DANCE is an art Lauren =] ).  But instead of just showing you pictures i like, I thought it would be a better idea if you got to know a bit about the actual artists whose work inspire me.

Our first artist feature is the very lovely photographer and amateur ghost hunter (im serious), Lauren Peralta. She wears chuck taylors religiously (10 pts for that), loves cuddly animals, and has gained quite a bit of notoriety for a dope tattoo.

I first learned of Lauren  through a random modeling forum, where I took a liking to her pretty much right away. First because of her sense of humor and really, besides her modeling she just stood out. I was even more amazed when i found out she was an equally talented photographer.  She has been kind enough to take time away from school and being awesome to answer some questions…which actually makes her more awesome =]

I bring to you, Lauren Peralta!

Flipz5: I know at one point you were into drawing and painting, does the urge ever come back to you?

Lauren: It does actually, quite often. I don’t draw so much anymore because I don’t feel that I’m good enough at it really. But I still occasionally break out my ink and paint some things. I’m actually painting my friend Hannah something for her birthday in April, so maybe I’ll be posting that after I give it to her. Who knows, I’m tricky like that.

Flipz5: Was there one specific or several factors that made you decide to pursue photography over painting? (FYI,sometime before the apocalypse i’ll probably paint a picture from one of your photos.)

Lauren: Haha, fantastic! I love when people paint my photographs. Joe Reimer (www.joereimer.deviantart.com) recently sent me a canvas print of a painting he did from one of my photos and it was amazing! I chose photography over painting simply because I enjoyed it more. From the second I picked up a camera, it was a perfect match.

Flipz5: What equipment do you have in your picture taking artillery?

Lauren: I shoot digitally with a Canon 450D. I shoot film with a Rebel K2. I have 3 lenses, the 85mm 1.8, a 50mm 1.4, and a 28-135mm zoom. My favorite is the 85mm. Mmmm, 85mm.

Flipz5: Are there specific subjects or themes you love seeing in pictures?

Lauren: I love people. All sorts of people. People I love. People I hate. Old people. Young people. All around. But I have to say that I love photographing women (as creepy as that sounds). When I started taking photos, I took a lot of self portraits. It was an experience in learning to become confident with my appearance, an exercise in learning what poses and angles work best, and enhancing and emphasizing the natural curves and crevices of the human body. The female body has always been absolutely amazing and intriguing to me in my drawings, so I’m drawn to it in my photography as well. More than that, a lot of times I’ll do faceless portraits to make the viewer try to figure out who it is or what is happening to them. In my normal portraits, I want the viewer to read the honesty and integrity of the person in the photo. I want them to know who they are just by looking at them.

Flipz5: Theres something about your photos, i always feel like Im in the moment with the image. You capture only a fraction of a second but it seems full of life.
When is a picture “just right” to you?

Lauren: Thank you! That’s what I strive for, really. I can’t really describe when a photo is just right. I’ll be shooting for hours before I get just ONE photo that clicks the button in my head that says “that’s fucking IT.” And then I flip out and go crazy from being so elated that I got that one image that I knew was just what I was looking for. Either that, or it’s an amazing surprise and I’ve amazed myself by capturing it at exactly the right time.

Flipz5: Obviously a pretty face doesnt always = great photo. Describe your mindset while taking a self portrait, and when shooting another model.

Lauren: Definitely not! I’ve had pretty faces that didn’t have any kind of truth or honesty written on them. People assume all the time that the conventionally pretty model wins in the photographer’s mind. To some, that’s the way it is. Not for me. I like to see raw emotion, not the fake plastic kind.

When I take self portraits it’s more of baring my emotions, my thoughts, my ideas. My self portraits tend to be more conceptually driven than my model portrait work because I don’t like relying on other people to perfectly convey what I’m trying to show you. The photos I take of models… I really don’t even like to call them models anymore because they’re just people. They’re not pretending, in most cases. I just kind of tell them to do what they normally do and I secretly take pictures in the background. Once in awhile I’ll yell “DON’T FUCKING MOVE” of course, but other than that, it’s all spontaneous. I want you guys to see the person as I observe them.

Flipz5: You’ve shot some beautiful models who happen to be your friends. How vital is the model-photographer relationship to a create a beautiful image?

Lauren: It’s pretty vital, I’ve found. I’ve had some awkward models that stiffen up and ask me what they’re supposed to do. You really need someone to just do their thing and not feel like they’re being watched or judged by a camera lens, you know? I like when my models feel really comfortable with me, which is why I often use my friends. Plus, a fake smile is never as good as the real deal.

Flipz5: Honest smiles are the best!
Tell us about some photographers or websites you frequent for inspiration.

Lauren: My friend Brandon Aviram gives me immense amounts of inspiration. I admired his work for a year or two before even meeting him. He later told me the same thing, which I felt really good about, as you can imagine. Oh god, there are so many artists that I love. I’d have to send you a whole separate email with a list of them! (I’ll probably do that for you anyway!)

(photo: Brandon Taylor Aviram)

Flipz5: From what I’ve seen, you are also truly talented in front of the camera. What would it take for you to delve more in to the modeling aspect of photography?

Lauren: I’m down to model whenever. I just tend to watch my step because I’m really tentative about meeting people I don’t know personally. There’s a lot of creeps out there!

Flipz5: Youre currently still in school, plans after graduation? its a scary thought, i know.

Lauren: You just scared me. Next question.

Flipz5: Yipes!
Are there any other art forms that you’re skilled at,or would like to try out?

Lauren: I always feel weird about saying I’m skilled at something. I don’t even technically think I’m “skilled” at photography, I just like doing it and people tell me it’s good so I just roll with it hahaha. Anyway, the only other art forms I feel remotely comfortable with is painting/drawing. If you consider dance an art form (which I do) I always wanted to be a dancer. Way before even considering art. Fun fact, haha.

Flipz5: At this point you’re pretty close to the 1 million mark on your flickr account, thats awesome! What are the most notable differences in the photography of “100 views Lauren” to, “ALMOST 1 MILLION views Lauren”?

Lauren: Oh man. I forgot that I had that many views! I didn’t really take much notice of the view count on flickr as I did on DA before I left the site, so I hardly noticed that it skyrocketed to that point until recently. My work gets so many views and comments when I upload new work now, that sometimes it’s overwhelming and I’m very happy to see that it affects people in the ways that it does. I’ve gotten so many messages telling me that I’m an inspiration and I’m absolutely elated, you have no idea! Granted, the views, comments, and favorites tend to be when I upload self portraits, but I started out as a self portrait artist, so I suppose I understand.

Flipz5: Who’s had a larger impact on your growth as a photographer, the internetz or photography pals, who are also reaally talented.

Lauren: In all honesty… my photo friends and the internet both have assisted me in refining what I know, but that was after I learned how to do most of it on my own. I picked up a camera and was determined to know how to work it and make my pictures resonate “Lauren Peralta.”

Flipz5: I think your Plum Blossom tattoo is dope because the artwork alone is great, it fits you well and i think its straight up classy. Does something have to be absolutely perfect for you to get it inked, or are you a bit impulsive?

Lauren: Why thank you 🙂 The drawings of my tattoos have to be absolutely PERFECT before getting them put on me permanently. I spent two years prior to getting my plum blossoms done deciding exactly what I wanted. The rest of them all have some kind of extreme sentimental value. With the exception of the snake… which… was really the most impulsive… I saw the drawing and called shotgun. But still. That thing is fucking baller.

Flipz5: You’re happily taken, BUT, if you werent, what is an absolute must for any guy to even begin thinking of catching your attention? dealbreaker? what if he wears pokemon boxers?

Lauren: I’m REALLY picky about people in general. Little things set me off. If you can’t spell, you’re out. If you’re ignorant, see ya. If you can’t accept an opposing viewpoint, peace out. If you aren’t able to grow up, not gonna work. If you attract more drama than a middle school clique, no way. If you talk funny (this entails the overly excited mannerisms in speech that don’t fit at all, or the monotone cavemen that can’t expand their vocabulary past “need attention”), ain’t gonna happen. There’s a lot, to be honest with you. I can’t help it. If I am gonna find a suitable mate, he’s gotta be just right. He also has to be able to deal with my obnoxiously loud belching abilities, the fact that I’m practically naked all over the internet, my stubbornness, the fact that I have an IQ over 70, I can argue like nothing you’ve ever seen, and the fact that I put myself before anyone else. Luckily I have found that man. As for the pokemon boxers… they are a must.

Flipz5: You claim to be a little awkward,but i know you have a great sense of humor. Name some movies that were so funny it hurt, or made you laugh so hard you cried.

Lauren: Oh man! I’m drawing a total blank. You would think I’d remember the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. I also have the worst memory, in addition to my awkwardness. The last movie that had me in stitches was The Hangover. I giggle-snorted my ass off. Yes, I giggle-snort. :/

Flipz5: I only remember a little bit about pokemon, but do you think Ash ever got in to Misty’s pants? Why was he such a wuss about it?

Lauren: I think Misty is a closet slut. I’m pretty sure she let Ash in her pants on the first commercial break during the episode they met. I also firmly believe that Ash did not fulfill her expectations and that is why she was such a cunt to him throughout the rest of the show. It’s feasible.

Flipz5: I dont think you’re a fan of little childrens,but you do like little aminals. What super cuddly fuzzy creatures do you want more than anything? What would you name them?

Lauren: Hate children. LOVE animals. I have two wonderful dogs back at home that I adore, but if I were to be granted another fuzzy, cuddly creature, it would have to be another puppy. I’m a dog lover for sure. And puppies just make me go all melty inside.

Flipz5: You’ve just finished a photoshoot with Hermione Granger. She’s so absolutely elated to be photographed by the All-Mighty Lauren Peralta that she leaves her book of spells behind. What’cha gonna do?

Lauren: Jack that shit. And fix her GODDAMN HAIR with magic.

Flipz5: What do you think when you hear the name “Rok The Spot”?

Lauren: Rockin’ some spots. Which leads me to think of dalmations. Headbanging dalmations.

Flipz5: Imagine you could have your dream shoot, RIGHT NOW!
Money,time period,location,planet are no obstacle.
Explain,who,what,when,where, why?

Lauren: Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightley. Together. Naked. Okay fine, I’ll stop talking about my sexual fantasies. But really, if I had the option, those two women are DROP DEAD perfect. Not only would I love to meet them, but to be able to take their photo would be amazing. I don’t care when or where. Before I die, and anywhere.

Flipz5: Do you have any final words of wisdom, or anything we should look out for from you in the near future?

Lauren: Feed me soup and we shall be best friends forever. That is all. <3

* Lauren posted this after the interview, but I thought all of you should read this. This is a very sincere reply and I hope it helps everyone who might have issues with their self-image =]

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