Master Photographers International / Thursday, February 15, 2018 / Categories: MPI NEWS

MPI 2017 IIC Fine Art Photographer of the Year Winner - Holly-Lynn Latimour (Canada)

Craftsman Photographer Holly-Lynn Latimour gave many a run for their money when she grabbed the tittle of MPI International Fine Art Photographer of the Year during the MPI 2017 IIC. Holly as well succeeded in earning 3 Best in Class Awards, 3 Awards of Distinction, 6 Prestige Awards and was the winner of the Blooper Award. 

Holly is currently working towards her Masters in Commercial, Fine Art and Nature simultaneously. 

Holly has been pursuing her photographic career since high school and continued on with her education via a number of avenues. Take a moment to read Holly's journey as she speaks of her accomplishments and her journey. 

MPIO 2017 IIC TOP PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERVIEWS

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in your photography career.

It’s a bit of a long story actually. I got my start in photography in High School with a Black and White Film course and my Dad’s old Minolta Maxxum 7000 camera. However, even though I had a great interest in photography, I initially wanted to have a career in Animation.

I attended York University for their four-year Fine Art program to earn my degree. However, I kept taking photography courses on top of my drawing and painting classes, as I enjoyed it in high school, and I expanded my knowledge by taking Colour Film, Black and White, and Digital Photography. In my third year at York I realized that I had a passion for capturing images and I began taking more and more Photography classes, with the encouragement of my professors. I finished my fourth (and final) year of University and decided to continue my technical training at Humber College in their Creative Photography program. I learned a lot about lighting and composition, as well as post-processing and how to create a successful business through photography.

Looking Back, I realize that my background as an artist has allowed me to see the world in a different light, and as such, I have become a better-rounded photographer.

How long has your photographer career spanned for?

I first started pursuing my photography career in 2010, while attending University, and after graduating from College in 2014 I began to pursue my career as a professional photographer. I experimented with many different styles of photography, but I eventually found my niche in commercial product and portrait photography. I had my own studio equipment and props, so I got my start by working from home for a few years. I would pack all of my studio equipment into my car and travel to a client’s house or to a location shoot and then bring the images back home for post-processing. I just recently became a partner at a photography studio in Newmarket, Ontario, where I hope to have a space to continue crating new images and the opportunity to expand my client base. This past year I celebrated my fourth year in the business.

 

What do you enjoy the most of being a professional photographer?

I enjoy travelling to new exciting places and creating images that tell a story to my viewers. It is so easy for people to download and look at hundreds of images at any given time; so to be able to grab the viewer’s attention, and hold it, has become more of a challenge. I believe that a photographer’s job first and foremost is to be a storyteller and in this new digital era that job has become even more important. Being able to share my passion for storytelling and my love for photography with others is a dream come true. I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling career.

 

How long has your photographer career spanned for?

I first started pursuing my photography career in 2010, while attending University, and after graduating from College in 2014 I began to pursue my career as a professional photographer. I experimented with many different styles of photography, but I eventually found my niche in commercial product and portrait photography. I had my own studio equipment and props, so I got my start by working from home for a few years. I would pack all of my studio equipment into my car and travel to a client’s house or to a location shoot and then bring the images back home for post-processing. I just recently became a partner at a photography studio in Newmarket, Ontario, where I hope to have a space to continue crating new images and the opportunity to expand my client base. This past year I celebrated my fourth year in the business.

 

What do you enjoy the most of being a professional photographer?

I enjoy travelling to new exciting places and creating images that tell a story to my viewers. It is so easy for people to download and look at hundreds of images at any given time; so to be able to grab the viewer’s attention, and hold it, has become more of a challenge. I believe that a photographer’s job first and foremost is to be a storyteller and in this new digital era that job has become even more important. Being able to share my passion for storytelling and my love for photography with others is a dream come true. I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling career.

 

Do you have a memorable or favourite assignment or capture that was inspirational for you?

As a child I have always had a love of travel and nature, so it was a dream of mine to travel to Africa and last year that dream became a reality. On the fifth day of the ten-day safari I photographed two giraffes courting during a spectacular sunset, this image has become my most memorable photograph to date.                                                                         

I have photographed many different subjects during my career. I’ve shot classic cars, architecture, interiors, portraits, pets, and products, but I have always had a certain passion for wildlife. This trip has only increased my love for wildlife and photography and I hope there are many more adventures to come. As I continue to grow as an individual, and as a photographer, I hope to capture many more memorable images in the future.

 

If there was one thing you could change about your career and how you got to be such a successful photographer, what would it be?

When I first started as a photographer, I would often find myself spending hours on the computer post-processing my images after a photo shoot. I was putting more time into editing my photos rather than taking them and it was taking the joy out of my craft. I have since realized that by taking my time and slowing things down during a photo shoot I make less mistakes, spend far less time editing and more time on doing what I love, taking photographs.

I also wish I had realized sooner not to judge my own self-worth based on the opinions of others. I have faced many people, both in school and in my community, who have tried to drag me down and make me doubt myself. As an adult, I have become very confident in my abilities; my family has always supported me, but realizing my own potential sooner would have brought me to my chosen path that much quicker.

 

When entering the Master Photographers International Image Challenge and other higher end competitions, what is the process of selection for your images?

When entering an image competition, I try to be more critical of my work. I look at all aspects of the image: the colours, the subject matter, the perspective, the composition, etc., and how well all of these elements come together. I often go through hundreds of images before I find one that passes ‘inspection’. I want my images to not only show an interesting subject, but to tell a story and capture the viewer’s attention. Images that start a discussion and engage the audience are often the ones that are the most memorable.

 

What is your vision for your career going forward? Will you change what you have been doing or continue on your current path?

I would love to put together a collection of my best images and sell them in a book. The joy I would feel to see my work in stores or on a bookshelf would be indescribable and I would feel immensely proud of that kind of accomplishment. My dream is to share my work with as many people as possible and to have the freedom to expand my imagination and creativity. I hope to one day inspire others through my images and to share my vision with the world.

 

And finally, how did you feel when winning MPI International Photographer of the Year in Fine Art the Master Photographers International Organization?

I was ecstatic when I found out that I had won Photographer of the Year in Fine Art and I couldn’t wait to tell my family the great news. It was an honour just to be nominated, especially after seeing the work created by the other photographers in contention for the award. I felt very humbled to be chosen and extremely grateful to be part of MPI, which is such an amazing organization. An organization that not only supports photographers, but celebrates them. I am so thankful for all of the love and support they have provided me and I cannot wait to see what other great things they have in store for the future.