Hi Todd, it's my pleasure to be able to ask you some questions today! Well, I know you earned your BSc in Blology when you were in university, what made you want to change path and became a fashion photographer?
I have always been a photographer. I know it sounds like a typical story, but I have been fascinated with photography since I was 5 years old and at that moment, my mother gave me a little plastic 110 cartridge camera to play with. The moment I looked through the viewfinder, I knew I was hooked to photography.
While I was completing my major in Bio studies, I also took a minor in Anthropology and some of my classes in Anthro were art history. I have always been an artist, but did have a natural aptitude for the science. I admit part of my science studies was based on encouragement from my family to pursue a medical career, but when it really came down to it and I was searching for what I really wanted to do, it was always there in front of me – photography.
Fashion photography was not the genre of photography I had first thought I would be in. I had been a model before and had felt like I had no desire to be in fashion as a life long thing. Also, my first love was nature and being outdoors exploring. Therefore, initially I was shooting a lot of landscape and documentary style images, mixed in with some action adventure sport shooting. To make a long story short, in the end I came back to Fashion and was surprised as hell that I actually liked shooting fashion. I am driven by the blend of art and commerce with fashion.
Many people have this misconception of me that being a model before is the reason why I became a fashion photographer. I can tell you that it is not that easy to shift from model to respected photographer as it is such a cliché and many fail because they think it is going to be an easy path.
It's interesting to know you were planning to become a landscape photographer at first but I believe there is always something that will change one's path. Now I am curious, what are the adjectives you can use to describe your photography style? Why?
I like my works to be a bit wild, raw, has a sense of movement and energy to it since I am not a fan of too posed or static photography. I would also want the viewers to feel some sexual energy and expression when looking at my photos.
A great thing about being a successful photographer is that you make a decent living at something you love to do. There is no real price you can put on that, but in some ways your work becomes more and more dictated by clients and commissions. Of course you can do your personal work, but I find that hard to do because if that's the case, I would need to take time off from the “business” to do so. I find I can get a few projects a year that are really me, really my style and in those, I find my greatest release and joy.
I do see your photos to be quite raw and wild sometimes. Of course, I also like the energy element you inject to the images. Which photography masters do you look up to? What have you learnt from them?
I am not trying to sound like an ass here but I don’t really look up to anyone. I can appreciate a very wide variety of photographic work, like to review creative work and go to museums and art galleries, but I learned from a long time ago that I should just focus on what I am doing.
I do have books from Helmet Newton, Mario Testino, Man Ray, Bettina Rheims, Jeanloup Sieff, Terry Richardson and also works from Chinese photographer Chen Man. In the end if I could purchase every book out there on photography I would have it in my little library. I simply love images and the way different people see the world or interpret.
This is a tough one as by now with the volume of shootings we do in China alone we are talking about 1000’s of shoots. We did a shoot last year in Inner Mongolia that I really enjoyed, partially proud of that because of the amount of production that had to go into it. I think you should ask me that question in another 10 years. I have enjoyed a lot of shootings with a wide variety of clients and characters in several different countries, but I can foresee in the next 10 years there will have some grander ones in my career.
All right, I will keep that in mind and will ask you this question again in 10 years. I know you have traveled to a lot of countries to do different shoots, so which country gives you the best impression and why?
I just love to travel. I love new experiences, shooting on location and meeting new people. I would travel and shoot every week if possible. I am fond of shooting in Europe because there is a certain feel in particular in Spain, Italy and France that I like a lot. That being said, I am a big sand and surf person. If you offer me 5 star accommodation or a hut on a tropical beach I am going to take the beach every time! In that way I have really enjoyed shooting in Thailand. For street shooting I think you can not beat Shanghai at night. I really enjoy shooting street scene editorials in Shanghai at night
I have never been to Shanghai before and after hearing what you said, I may have to make a trip tho this location soon! Last but not least, is there a particular super model you would love to work with in the future?
I have worked with a few Chinese super models – Liu Wen , Fei Fei. Kiki has been out there in the line up as well. AS for super models of the west the first person who comes to mind is Kate Moss. Also there is Cindy Crawford. Some of the current names I would love to work with in the future are Daria Werbowy and Lara Stone because I tend to like unique beauties. I would like to shoot Irina Lazareanu and Maria Carla as well.
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Now it is time to take a look at the trivia questions and understand his lifestyle!Gold or Orange?
Neither – I am more of a silver personDigital or Film Photography?
Oh god, film and black and white – but it will be forever digital now
Dog or Cat?
Dog – definitely a dog person – golden lab or something like that
China or Canada?
I am proud to be Canadian, but I found my place in China and I love Shanghai and what
China has given me
Sunny or Rainy Days?
Sunny !
Salmon or Tuna?
Salmon steak – Tuna Sandwich
Superman or Captain America?
Spiderman
Jil Sander or Alexander McQueen?
Alexander McQeen
Sneakers or Lace-Ups?
Lace-ups
PC or Mac
MAC – big time MAC fan ( but not the kind that stands in line for hours ha ha)
Thank you so much to Todd for taking some time from his busy schedule to answer my questions. If you want to see more of his works, please visit his official site. All photos are courtesy of Todd Anthony Tyler.
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