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 MICHELE
LAURITA
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
LOS ANGELES,
UNITED STATES
Michele
Laurita began her career as a child actor, studying
alongside classmates Elisabeth Shue, Sean Penn, Luara
Dern, and Jennifer Connelly.
Michele was a successful actress in her own right, but
photography is her true passion, as she states on her
site “I love acting, and I took it very seriously, but I
had this other thing tugging at me”.
While acting,
Michele started to document the cast members around her
with a hand camera and thus her love for photography
blossomed.
Michele did not study photography in college,
but she was fortunate to have a brother-in-law
who taught her about photography and how to use
lighting. The movie “In Cold Blood” had an impact on how
she uses lighting today.
After learning and mastering the art of
photography, she has composed and created impressive and
flawless images.
Michele photographed
for Rolling Stone, Glamour Magazine, Hollywood
Magazine, Wallpaper, Inside Weddings, Elle Magazine, and
GQ Magazine. Michele also did
portraits of
Patrick Dempsey, Oscar Winners, Ben Affleck,
Jamie Fox, Nicholas Cage, Terrence Howard, Andre 3000,
Ellen Degeneres, and Jessica Beil to name a few.
Michele is also a
Cinematographer and Director; she
directed videos for Alanis Morrisette that appeared on
MTV, directed of photography for HBO, and created the
photo graphics for the Steven Spielberg film “Minority
Report”.
I was delighted to interview Michele Laurita, and glad
she took time out of her schedule to answer
my questions.
Exclusively Fashion Magazine:
Tell me a little about your journey as a photographer
from when you began until now?
Michele Laurita:
I started as a
child actor and started documenting all that I saw,
pretty soon I was more interested in the art-form of
photography then acting. It just took over my life.
EFM:
What inspires you?
ML:
Color, music,
pretty much anything that is sensorial.
EFM:
How do you prepare for a photo-shoot?
ML:
Oh my God How
long do you have? I meditate on the images before I
create them basically.
EFM:
What is your typical day like?
ML:
Researching art.
EFM:
Why does lighting play such a big part in photography?
ML:
Without which
there is no photography. It is Photography.
EFM:
Describe your style as a photographer?
ML:
My mood at the
time. It seems to change very rapidly. My style is I
suppose from 1970's film stocks of films.
EFM:
What is the best thing you like about being a
photographer?
ML:
The
ability to be fiscally reimbursed for being creative.
That has always blown my mind.
EFM:
What would you consider your most favorite photo-shoot?
ML:
Oh my God I have
so many, maybe everyone with an actor.
EFM:
What tips can you give to take a great photo?
ML:
The emotion is in
you. The way it makes you ponder and explore.
EFM:
Who are some of your favorite photographers?
ML:
Hands down Irving Penn.
EFM:
Do you have a favorite painter?
ML:
I do. It is Marc
Chagall.
EFM:
Do
you think fashion and art go hand in hand?
ML:
Absolutely.
EFM:
What
do you do in your spare time?
ML:
Research art
forms, go to films, and redecorate my house!
EFM:
Black and white or color?
ML:
Both.
EFM:
Location or studio; and why?
ML:
Studio, I love to
create from the ground up.
EFM:
What
advice can you give to an aspiring photographer?
ML:
Play.
EFM:
Are
there any new projects that you are currently working
on?
ML:
A possible
documentary film on a famous Photographer. Have to wait
on getting the rights to continue.
Interview by Rochell “E” James
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