A photograph is a piece of history neatly contained on a surface, where exposures of light imprint impressions, stories and memories that last a long time (if not forever).
There is a mysterious measure felt when taking a photograph, a kind of instinctual freedom that assumes you already know what you want to capture a story your mind aligns even before anything appears in the focus of a frame.
Julie Lavelle is a Toronto-based photographer, who teaches us that photographs and cameras are not only mechanisms that produce timeless stories that please our senses, but tools that could shape you.
What were some of the things that influenced you in becoming a photographer? And at what point in time do you remember thinking you had this “eye” for things?
It all began with my Father, who is also a photographer. I grew up with many cameras around the house and I was used to having each moment of my life documented. Thinking back, I am so grateful that my dad did this. I was given my first real camera at a young age and I can remember taking it everywhere with me – to friends’ houses, the park, family events, concerts, everywhere! I have tons of weird, crappy photos from this time, but they are what shaped me into the photographer I am today.
I’ve never really had that moment when I realized I had an “eye” for photographs, I just grew into enjoying capturing my surroundings. I really started to use my camera more seriously when I began to attend concerts regularly and found I really loved capturing live music. Concerts are something I still shoot quite often, but I usually do it for the fun and love of music. I felt more sure of what I enjoyed shooting when I tried my first manual SLR. The photographs with older cameras have such a timeless beauty to them and I feel that I am somehow meant to use this means for more of my creative work.
As a child, I remember staring at a wedding portrait of my grandparents with so much pleasure and adoration. What are some of the first photographs you could remember looking at in this light?
Around my parents house we have tons of photo albums ranging back 40+ years. I would spend hours sitting on the floor gazing intently at the photos of my parents’ young life. I’ve also been told that as a very young child I loved going into Coles in the mall and looking through the magazines. I would flip right to the photos and just stare at them, my mom says. From an early age I seemed to appreciate candid and simple photographs of people and nature.
You take many types of photos – from concerts to portraiture. How would you describe the style in which you’d like your photographs to come out?
With my photos, I aim for them to be as natural looking at possible. I want the viewer to be able to look at my work and feel like they could fit right into the image, that it is so true to life that it’s as though the scene is directly in front of them. I enjoy a candid look at life and thrive on simple, naturally lit shots that portray the way I see the world. For me especially, I find photographs in this style are the ones that are most likely to evoke an emotional response.
What lessons or rules do you keep in mind when you’re looking through the lens?
Honestly, I rarely consider rules or lessons when I’m shooting. I never went to school for photography and everything I know is self-taught or learned from my father. I generally just try to frame things as I see it in my mind’s eye. I am not thinking about much at the moment of shooting, I consider most things before I lift my camera up to take the shot. The moment when the shutter is pressed is between me and my camera, and I try to allow that to happen as naturally as possible.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography is beautiful. I know it’s a cliché, but there are some things that words can’t describe. When something moves me, I want to share it and photography allows me to do that.
You’re not originally from Toronto. Are there certain places you miss shooting? And how does living in Toronto affect you as a photographer?
I am originally from a GTA suburb outside of Toronto (Brampton) and to be honest, I felt my creativity was dead while living there. I will go home now and then but really only shoot while at my parents’ house. I also lived in Waterloo while I went to school and enjoyed the possibility to take more nature-based photographs there. But honesty I am happiest while living in a big city. While in a city such as Toronto, as a photographer, you are forced to constantly strive to outdo yourself, you have to be so sure of yourself (even if you’re not) and put yourself into situations that may not be ideal. But it is all worth it, there are so many beautiful things to be seen here and so many wonderful opportunities once you find them. But as a concert photographer especially it is hard to not get lost in the shuffle. Nowadays anyone can bring their “good” camera to a concert and take photos, so you really have to be constantly pushing yourself to be better than you are. All of these aspects really help to make me a better photographer, each and every day.
What’s the biggest pleasure you get from taking photographs?
It is absolutely exhilarating to take a photo and be pleased with what you’ve made. Getting back that roll of film from the lab, and seeing all of the forgotten moments you have captured. Even if the shot didn’t turn out the way you had planned, you have suspended that specific moment to look back upon. I love looking back through old photos (or even recent ones) and remembering the feeling I had while taking them, or enjoying the company I was with. This is the one thing that I feel at peace doing – no matter how much I still have to learn, I know that this is what I love, and that makes me happy.
Some of your loveliest photographs are those that feature soft natural light and a muted quality. Describe the type of photographs that naturally appeal to you.
I enjoy simple photographs. Dreamy and whimsical in nature, with soft colours and beautiful light. Most photographs I find myself drawn to are those that are naturally lit and have a very untouched feeling: a simple bowl of cereal on an empty wooden table or a sleeping girl in a fluffy white bed next to a window. These things come across so well in photographs and I can’t help but get this longing, excited feeling when I find photos like these.
Some artists work best when they’re in love or when they’re in a state of longing. How would you describe the best condition for you as a photographer? What and where was your favourite experience shooting?
My drive to shoot really varies on the situation. There are times I find I have these waves of yearning to take photos, and my mood is generally one of nostalgia and sadness at these times. I sometimes just have this overwhelming feeling where I need to grab my camera and go. Then again, some of my favourite photos of my own have been taken when I wasn’t trying to accomplish anything, but rather I just went for a lazy afternoon walk or was making a late morning breakfast. Generally, I like being able to wander aimlessly with my camera and no distractions. I found the best time shooting in these circumstances for me was while I was in New York City alone. I had all day and every moment alone to do what I pleased. I could take 5 photos of the same thing in every angle if I desired and no one would be watching. I had the freedom to figure out what I was trying to capture and express through the photos I took. These days I had a film camera of mine with me, and film definitely forces one to slow down and really learn to take in all that is around them.
- Julie Lavelle, photographer
