Kathryn Parker Almanas earned a BFA in Photography from MassArt in 2003 and a MFA in Photography from Yale University in 2007. While at Yale, she was awarded the Schickle-Collingwood Prize, in recognition of exceptional development and progress
 as a first-year student; and upon receiving her MFA, she was awarded the Alice Kimball English Traveling Fellowship to conduct research in Italy. Her work has been published in 25 Under 25 Up-and-Coming American Photographers, The Photo Review, PDN, Toronto Life, American Photo, the Waterstone Review, Metropolis, The Collector’s Guide to Emerging Art Photography, among others. Her work has been commissioned by Time Magazine, Details magazine, Culture+Travel magazine, and for a portrait of the artist for the publication, Wangechi Mutu: A Shady Promise. Almanas’ work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia.
www.kathrynparkeralmanas.com

When and how did you become interested in Photography?

My mother has always kept thorough photo albums of my family- every day mundane moments photographed and collected into volume upon volume of albums. In high school I wanted to pursue photography and my art teacher, Mr. John MacPhee introduced me the work of Cindy Sherman – I was completely inspired by her and how she used photography in a way I had not seen before.

What gear do you mainly shoot with?

an Ebony 4×5 view camera

What is your #1 source of inspiration?

The body and the history of anatomical dissection.

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

Making work is of the utmost importance in my life. I have been fortunate enough thus far to always make sure it is a major part of my schedule.

what is your all time favorite genre to shoot?

Still life.

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

I am (at the time of this interview) one of four runners-up for the 2010 Aperture Portfolio Prize.

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

In my most recent work I have been constructing and photographing visceral tableaux, which incorporate surrogate organs that I make out of dough, jelly, fruit juices, berries.

if you could photograph anyone, (past/present/future), who would it be and why?

That’s a hard one. There are so many people I’d be honored to photograph. To name a few: David Lynch, Tim Burton, Christopher Walken. They all have such presence and mystery.

what’s your dream photo field trip?

Right now I have Spain on the brain. I’d love to study Goya’s Black Paintings at the Prado.

what’s your post production process?

I scan my 4×5 film and make inkjet prints.

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

The Hasselblad H4D-60 with the HTS 1.5 tilt and shift adapter. This would remove the film processing and scanning step from my workflow.

who are your favorite photographers and why?

Can this include other types of artists? To name a few favorites: Cindy Sherman, Irving Penn, Eva Hesse, Louise Bourgeois, Francis Bacon.

do you have any tips/tricks or advice for amateur photo nerds who are looking to shoot full time or students who are just starting out?

During a Times Talk in NYC between Noah Baumbach and A.O. Scott, an audience member asked a similar question regarding advice for a young artist. Gregory Crewdson replied: “The only thing you have is your story. So…protect that, nourish that. Its what you play with in a balance of form and content.”

what’s the soundtrack to your life and/or your favorite music to listen to while editing?

This always changes, and I could make a mile long list. Currently I am obsessed with Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Mozart’s Requiem. Oh, and I find myself listening to The Pixies’ song “Break My Body” a lot– and Nick Cave’s Murder Ballads.

best chow (meal/snack) to get you ready for a shoot? or best way to celebrate a brilliant capture?

Espresso from my Nespresso machine. Little magical capsules of happiness.

will you share with us one of your favorite shots?

I am attaching a picture I took of my little sister, Sarah, in 2006, titled: Gauze Removal. My mother had just brought her home from having her wisdom teeth removed. Sarah was completely out of it and on the couch. I was taking pictures of her and my mother, a nurse, came over and removed the gauze from Sarah’s mouth. At that moment, blood spilled out of Sarah’s mouth and the white wrap of the icepack that was around her head fell into a veil over her eyes. I shoved everyone out of the way and took the picture.

your favorite photo by another photographer?

Could this be a print/drawing? Here is one by the wonderful Louise Bourgeois.

has your passion for photography changed at all since turning “pro”?

I am an extremely passionate person. I never have a lack in the passion department.

do you have a favorite / lucky item of clothing, outfit or uniform that you like to wear when shooting an important assignment or project?

Hm. No. But now I want to.

are you a photography nerd or a camera gangsta?

Both.

what’s your sign? (we’re conducting a poll)

Scorpio

who would you like to see interviewed by photopolus next?

Jenny Drumgoole




©KathrynParkerAlmanas

If you are a photographer and would like to be featured as a future/potential Art Star on our blog, email us!
info@photopolus.com or ange@angefitzgerald.com, subject: Art Star.
*please include your website and examples of your work

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