In early June, Victoria Weeber allowed me to interview her. I let her know that I was a huge fan of her photography. I was interested to see what her influences were and what she looked for when she shot photos. Peep the interview as well as some of her work!
Jus Buckingham: Where are you from?
Victoria Weeber: A small town without a stoplight – Palmyra, Michigan
Jus: What is your back-round?
Victoria: I grew up as I said, in the small town of Palmyra, Michigan near a railroad track between soybean and corn fields. I miss the rural lifestyle, it definitely shaped the way I see my surroundings.
Jus: How did you get your start in photography?
Victoria: I first started taking photographs when I received a camera for Christmas in high school. I think I got it because it would give me something to do besides sing in front of the mirror pretending I was Stevie Nicks. I was pretty awesome.
Jus: Who are some of your favorite photographers?
Victoria: There’s a person on flickr called “neon.tambourine” who shoots very striking, sometimes uncomfortable fashion photographs. A lot of photos I see come from tumblr accounts, which are usually uncredited, which is a bummer. More famous photographers include Sally Mann and Arno Rafael Minkkinen. There’s not a specific style I’m interested in, but more of a feel, a mysterious quality I look for I suppose.
Jus: What would you say catches your eye?
Victoria: Lighting that cuts the subject, simple symmetry, bright colors, people with their own personal style, interesting shadows…
Jus: What is your favorite thing to shoot?
Victoria: Nature prevailing over man.
Jus: What would you say your specialty is?
Victoria: Specialty? Gee wiz…I suppose I like to look over the overlooked.
Jus: What is your favorite thing about being a photographer?
Victoria: I am obsessive compulsive about saving things. I save letters, their envelopes, bottle caps, even receipts as a way of recalling memories later in life. Looking through old journals and boxes of these “keepsakes”, I find hundreds of little keys that unlock memories that would be otherwise forgotten. I see photography as another way to unlock memories, to save people, places and events unchanged for later in my life and also for those who live after me. I have a fear of being forgotten.
Jus: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Victoria: Cats are in my future.
Jus: What are you listening to these days?
Victoria: Sounds that remind me of childhood, of home. Fleetwood Mac, The Chiffons, Dion, Sam Cooke, Jeff Mangum, The Pixies. The Books. Also my very talented friend, Jim Cherewick.
Jus: What are you watching these days?
Victoria: Arrested Development, I’m a little late. Other than that I love Food Network, but I don’t own a TV so rarely get the chance to watch anything. Though I think growing up I watched enough television for a lifetime.
Jus: When it is all said and done, what would you like people to say about you professionally or personally?
Victoria: She’s an interesting lady, that one.
Catch up with Victoria Weeber at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toryweeber
http://victoriaweeber.tumblr.com/
http://auntbeast.tumblr.com/
