I grew up in a location some people would consider the middle of no where. As a young child I was adventurous and always finding new things that interested me. I remember looking up past the tall trees, loving how the dark greens looked against a starlight sky. My mother always encouraged art, mostly painting, but it didn’t excite me all that much.

Being a photographer that doesn’t have the ability to travel much out side of my town effects what kind of photographs I take. My eyes have always been attracted to things of natural beauty such as the color of the sky at sunset or the way different tones of brown make bark look. I enjoy capturing that beauty as well as capturing the simplicity of everyday objects. Random photography dominates most of my photographs. Something new inspires me everywhere I go but I don’t always have my camera with me, then I begin playing with stage photography. I try to experiment with all kinds of photographs as much as possible to build experience and possibly spark a new interest. Matt Mallams has influenced how I take pictures quite a lot. His photographs are very simple but they all send a strong message and making a message clear in my own photography is something I would like to do. Action photography has been my dream since I started my first photography class. I have yet to get the chance of taking action shots but that is my goal for the future of my photography.

Since I started taking pictures my freshmen year of high school everything seems like it could be a wonderful photograph. Ideas fly in and out of my head on a regular basis. I often wish that my eyes were cameras themselves, not only would I eliminate the hassle of carrying a camera at all times but I would never miss that perfect picture. My eyes pick up things that I wouldn’t be able to see stuck behind the lens of a camera. Every angle I saw something from would be recorded and never forgotten. I’d force others to see from my perspective, force them to see the beauty in what I see, and show them how I see the world.

Style Statement:

My inspiration varies quite a lot. I mostly am inspired by color and nature.  In my photographs I capture lighting, colors, contrast, and nature. My pictures are usually pre-thought out. I enjoy random photography the most.

Best of 2008-2009- A group of photographs I have taken in the past couple years that I would call my personal best.

Requested- Photographs of people that asked me to take pictures of them or of their child.

NEW photography- Most recent photographs that I have taken and edited.

Journals- I try and post daily journal entry’s to show others my point of view on photography in general. The questions are from Strong Photography.

Other- A mix of random photographs, including a few nature shots.

Online Flash Gallery:  Tavia Russell.

Contact: tavialr@yahoo.com