Friday Art Star: Daisy Yokley

Daisy Yokley specializes in artistic photography, mixed media paintings, and children/women/family portraiture. She loves to explore.

www.worldofdaisy.com

When and how did you become interested in photography?

I’ve been taking classes since high school, but my passion for photography truly took shape while I was in college in San Marcos, TX. The process of printing in the darkroom became such a fascination. And I had a wonderful tight-knit group of classmates, which really encouraged my love of photography.

What gear do you mainly use?

Right now I am LOVING my Yashicamat 124G twin lens reflex. I love square format. I use a Canon Rebel xti for my digital work – hoping to upgrade at some point but it works for now! I occasionally play around with my Holga and Lomo Action Sampler.

Many times photographers find themselves with a full schedule of paying gigs, and end up with little time for doing the work they truly love. Do you struggle with finding time for your personal work?

Funny, lately I have struggled with this. I’m working a seasonal full-time job at the moment, and it’s been more difficult to find time for personal work. I just try to keep things balanced as best I can, and make it a priority to shoot for myself at least a few times a week, and sometimes this means giving up things like social events or cleaning the house. (I refuse to give up sleep!!)

What inspires you?

Nature. I am always noticing the beautiful colors in trees and skies and water and tall grass….and I immediately imagine a photograph with someone jumping around in that scene, or I see it as a great background for a portrait session.

What is your favorite genre?

I’m an artist at heart, so I love doing conceptual work. I also love portraiture, but it definitely still has an artistic angle.

Do you have any upcoming shows or events you want our readers to know about?

I am very excited about an ongoing project of mine, documenting women and girls of all ages. The goal is to explore self-image of women in our culture. This is a big undertaking for me, I’m working on black and white film images as well as color digital, so it will be some time before it is exhibited, but I will be posting updates on my blog – and you can follow the work I’m doing! worldofdaisyphoto.blogspot.com

I will also be exhibiting in July 2010 with a group of wonderful women artists at the Firehouse Gallery in Del Rio, Texas – look for the show entitled “Wild Undergrowth.”

http://delrioarts.com/futureexhibit.aspx

What is one thing you feel makes your style or your work unique?

It is important for me to always maintain positive energy. I think this echoes in my work, and I think people are drawn to that. I like to encourage excitement and playfulness and freedom – and people want to feel those things.

If you could photograph anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I’d love for my current personal work to evolve and reach women outside my comfort zone – everyday women of all ages and cultures, women who work hard yet go unnoticed. I think a lot of women in this world tend to suppress their feelings and dreams, and I would love to give them a voice through images and stories.

What’s your dream photo field trip?

Ohhhh, there are so many. Right now I’m drawn to the U.S. west coast and the Pacific northwest, hoping to explore out that way soon. I am very curious about Portland, I keep hearing about the art scene out there.

If you had unlimited resources to purchase any type of camera, what would it be and why?

My oh my. These questions are exciting!! I seem to have fallen in love with Mamiya cameras. I’d love something medium format, with a waist-level viewfinder, with the option of a digital or film back. Is that possible to have all those things together? The first time I used a waist-level viewfinder, I was in heaven. It takes a bit of pressure off your subject and it’s just more fun to use. And I always want the option of digital or film, there are some images I capture with film that I can’t seem to pull off with digital.

Who are your favorite shooters and why?

I am very inspired by Lauren Greenfield, her work raises some very important questions about vanity and materialism in the U.S. Studying her work inspired my current goals. Some portrait photographers I love: Deb Schwedhelm, Denise Lynette Andrade (“Boho Girl”), Katie Sokoler (“Color Me Katie”) – all very uplifting women who create beautiful, unique images.

Sample’s of Daisy Yokely’s Work