‘Brought To Light’ – Mobile Photography / Art Interview with Lorenka Campos from Texas, US
Our ‘Brought to Light‘ interview section explores mobile photographers and mobile artists behind their art. Each question has been carefully crafted and is designed to allow us to get to know them a little more intimately. To view others that we have published in this series, please go here.
Today we are featuring Lorenka Campos, currently living in Texas, United States. Campos is an experienced photographer and artist and I am very fortunate to not only recognise her skills but even more importantly to me, to also call her my friend. Campos experienced a devastating loss not too long ago, I mention it, because she has chosen to include it within this interview. Mobile art has and continues to help her express her feelings and emotions, of which, fortunately, I can only imagine. Through this creativity, Campos has progressively established herself as a fine art photographer, winning awards and taking part in a number of exhibitions throughout the world. Her work is immensely captivating and I remain captivated by images that show inner selves and of the paradox they portray – the paradox of the unstoppable exposure of frailty against raw and enduring strength. Some of her images have an archival nature, as a futuristic visual diary. To view more of Campos’ work, please go here.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Describe a moment that changed your life?
The moment my daughter died. Time stopped that day for me and changed my world beyond what words can express. My heart has been broken and there is no mending for such a break. So much she still wanted to do, so many dreams lost.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Describe a childhood memory photographic/art memory
From a very early age, I spent much alone time drawing and making art in various made up ways, but my aha moment was when I was about 12. It was in a 6th grade Art Appreciation class that I was introduced to Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, Modigliani and others. I will never forget my art teacher, Ms. Lias and her eccentric, passionate way of describing the lives and the work of these artists. I was captivated and knew then that that was the world I belonged in too.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Describe your mobile studio
My mobile studio is my iPhone 6+ and my imagination. I have an iPad Pro, but never use it.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
What do you think about whilst you are creating images?
While creating images, whether or not I have a general idea of where I’m going, I try to allow myself total freedom to be in the emotional moment, and for the most part, work spontaneously. Being in the moment, for me, means expressing what’s in my heart and mind, at the time. And often times, song lyrics are playing in my mind during this process. Once, I am satisfied with the general idea and feel of an image, I of course think about final details of composition and craftsmanship.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Share one photo tip
Tell your story. Show us what you see and how you see it. Work hard at what you love.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Who or what ignited your passion for mobile photography?
I fell in love with fine art photography, the magic of the dark room and the endless creative possibilities of graphic design while studying at Florida School of the Arts. And although my focus was in the Fine Arts, I found I especially enjoyed manipulating photos in Photoshop.
In 2010, my husband gave me his old iPhone and I started playing around with a couple apps. I was looking for a place to post photos for a 365 project and stumbled upon Instagram in January 2011. It was there that I met some other iPhoneographers and really fell in love with and started taking seriously this new found art form called iPhoneography. I had my first iPhone gallery exhibit later that same year. The art passion was already there, the iPhone just made everything so very convenient. I could work on art anytime and anywhere. No more lugging around heavy equipment and uploading to Photoshop.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
What is the most unusual subject you have photographed?
I take pictures of everything. I don’t use most of my photos as end pieces, but rather as images I can use in my art for blending and superimposing. So I take pictures of textures, sticks, bricks, bugs, birds, dead bugs and birds, clouds, doors, stairways, and pretty much anything I find interesting. I also like to take pictures of things I make – like origami dresses – and use them as clothes in my art work.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
What are your favorite accessories for mobile photography?
The only accessory I’ve ever used is a makeshift tripod for self portraits. I would like to get a waterproof case and try my hand at some underwater images.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
Describe your dream photography assignment.
Studio work with great models, costumes, and props.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
What does mobile photography/art mean to you?
All art is imagination with the technical ability to express it, whether it’s through the visual arts, music, theater, etc. Mastering any art form requires hard work and passion, and the mobile arts are no different. To me, mobile art represents freedom and community. The freedom to work on my passion wherever I happen to be and belonging to an extraordinary community of artists.
Photo ©Lorenka Campos
While you’re here…
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
2 Comments
Meri Walker
Love this interview, Lorenka! And, for so long, I have loved your artwork. The courage it takes to heal from loss is everywhere apparent in your images. Thank you for sharing that courage!
Tracy Mitchell Griggs (aka themobilemind)
Always enjoy seeing what’s next!