Photographer Interview - Chloe Luterman

Meet Chloe Luterman, a 15-year-old photographer from NYC capturing youth through her lens.

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Hosted by: Kali BPM (@kaliorbella), July 3rd 2020

Tell us a little bit about yourself... what do you do? How old are you? Where are you based?

Hi! My name is Chloe and I am a 15 year old native of New York City. I live in downtown Manhattan, which is known for its creative and artistic culture. Photography is the form of creative expression I am most passionate about. I like that a photograph is a visual reproduction of reality, interpreted through the filter of my experience. Photography allows me to express myself in a visual language, and to share my opinions and perspectives about the world with others.

How did you get into photography?

Like many people, I became interested in photography through the camera feature on my iPhone. Smartphones are a great introduction to photography because they make it easy to capture, edit and share photos and there are lots of apps with preset filters and effects that do all the heavy lifting. When my school offered a class in black and white film photography, I fell in love with old school image making from the manual functions of the camera to the chemical process of developing film. Film photography is much more difficult and challenging than digital photography but there’s more room to experiment and learn. I also like that film photography makes you slow down and think about every little detail to get that one special shot you can be proud of. I still use my iPhone and Nikon Z50 DSLR cameras for everyday, but I go to my retro Nikon F4 or Pentax P3 when I shoot with film.

Do you think living in a city with constant movement has an influence on your work?

New York’s constant movement with hurried and noisy crowds has greatly influenced my work. The city is so dynamic and its population is so diverse that there’s never a lack of subject matter. Most recently, the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests, and the LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations have created a rich tapestry of subject matter which I have tried to capture and understand through my photography. I have witnessed and experienced the desolate and abandoned city streets of quarantine, the crowds of angry BLM protestors on Union Square, the ravaged aftermath of looting of Soho luxury stores, and the colorful rainbow of joyful Pride celebrations in Chelsea. There is so much raw emotion to draw from.

How do you come up with ideas? I draw inspiration and ideas from my experience as a teenager growing up in New York City. I am constantly taking photographs throughout my day from the familiar- like my apartment and family -to things completely foreign- like characters on the street or interesting street art. I especially love taking pictures of my friends. There is such beauty in their youth but this is often juxtaposed against their darker inner struggles of adolescence. I find this duality fascinating and strive to capture it and harness it into art.

I especially love taking pictures of my friends. There is such beauty in their youth but this is often juxtaposed against their darker inner struggles of adolescence.

Is there someone that inspires your work? Could be an artist or someone you know.

I often say that my little brother Harrison is my muse. I love photographing him because he’s still a kid and I envy the innocence with which he still perceives the world. It reminds me about the importance of perspective and experience in art.

What do you want others to feel when they see your work? To me, any successful form of self-expression should make people feel something. Whether it’s good or bad, it should be a real emotion. When others view my art, I want them to feel moved or touched in some way that makes them feel alive. It is my hope that people will feel a connection or relate to my own reflected view of reality. Ultimately, I would love to spread a message of love and positivity but I don’t think that is always realistic. I feel like sharing a more complex and grittier side of life will spread the more powerful message that I see you, I am you, and you are not alone.

Are you often satisfied with your work?

I think a lot of young artists like myself struggle when it comes to feeling satisfied with their work. I feel like I have a lot of thoughts and feelings, and not enough formal education and technical know-how to adequately capture and convey my desired result. But the creative process of trial and error is therapeutic for me. It helps me refine my approach, technique and aesthetic. I know that with more education and experience, I will be able to create new and better art.

Ultimately, I would love to spread a message of love and positivity but I don’t think that is always realistic.

You are a teen photographer, what’s the best advice you would give to other teen photographers that often feel afraid of showcasing their work?

One of the hardest things for artists of all ages is confidently showcasing their work. If your art is genuine and authentic, then sharing it with strangers can be uncomfortable and will leave you feeling exposed. My best advice is to push through those feelings and open yourself to both positive and negative feedback. This is the only way to grow and improve as an artist. I know that it is easier said than done, but after struggling with this myself, I’ve realized that my art will not evolve unless I open myself to the process. After all, aren’t we always our biggest critic?

Chloe's Instagram: @chloeluters