BE INSPIRED – Captured Dreams Photography

Meet Kali Placencia from Captured Dreams Photography

Where did you draw inspiration for your session?

Honestly, I am highly inspired by anything conceptual/fine art. I can seriously spend hours looking up ideas online, in magazines and checking out other photographers that specialize in conceptual/fine art photography to get inspiration. It also helps that I have an amazing Hairstylist/Makeup Artist (Claire Latronica {Hair & Makeup}) that is just as creative as myself on my team. I usually gather ideas and then let her go work her magic. She is amazing at throwing together unique looks. We both knew we would come up with something amazing when we were contacted by Shilo Von Porcelaine (model) to collaborate for a shoot. I knew I wanted to shoot in a forest and I wanted more of a darker, dramatic feel to the images. As you can see in the images from this particular shoot, I captured it perfectly with an amazing team by my side.

Would you say that your personal project changed you as a photographer? If so, how?

I believe every project I do changes me into a better photographer. Each project teaches me what works, what doesn’t work, what I love, and what I would rather not do again. I honestly love anything photography related but I do feel my passion lies with conceptual/fine art photography. My goal one day is to have my work featured in big art galleries for the world to see. When I first started the journey of photography, I never saw myself where I am today. I only shot children and families. It wasn’t until I was in my senior year in college and had to do my senior thesis show that I realized I loved shooting models and being able to do unique and different shoots.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given in your career or that you would like to give to others?

Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot! I highly recommend shooting all the time. Never go anywhere without your camera. Capture everything!! You will learn so much from shooting all the time. You will learn what environments/locations you love to shoot, what subjects you love to capture and when your favorite time of day you love to shoot at. Also, never compare yourself to others. I remember coming across the perfect quote. “The only photographer you should compare yourself to is yourself”. I use to compare myself to everyone and now realize every single photographer is unique and special in their own ways. Not one photographer is the same as another. Yes, there are photographers that have similar styles but they will never be the exact same, this is what makes you an artist. The only time I compare my work now is to my past work to see how much I have grown as a photographer and as an artist.