Artist Spotlight: Photographer, Jade Anderson

Where do you find inspiration? What influences other than photographers. Artists, writers, music, architects, etc?
I constantly visit museums; I love surrounding myself with art and am open to inspiration from other artistic forms. Other than photography, I am drawn to painting because of the manipulation of color, light, and atmosphere: three qualities that are integral to my photography.   I have been told that some of my work appears painterly and I take this as a huge compliment!   Some of my favorite painters are John Singer Sargent, Gustav Klimt, and Max Ernst. Their portraits have never ceased to fuel my imagination because of the surrealism, usage of color, and idealization of the human form.

Do you have a favorite time of day to shoot?
Because my favorite type of light is natural daylight, I like to photograph while the sun is still out.   Most of my work involves indoor environments so I gravitate towards places with windows that allow natural daylight to fill and enhance the space.   Occasionally, I use artificial light sources, such as strobes or hot lights, which allow me to photograph no matter the time of day.

Is there something you always ask to yourself/think just before you push the button ?
“Is this going to be beautiful?” “Will this move others as much as it moves me?”

When did you pick up your first camera? When was it you got serious about it?
I picked up my first camera in 10th grade while taking a photo class at The Spence School.   It wasn’t until the following year, during Photo II, when I realized that photography allowed me to create an image and convey meaning where I lacked the language.   And in addition to that, it gave me a way to capture all that I saw, in the specific way I wished for it to be seen.   Photography has been my obsession and passion ever since.

How would you describe your style?
I like to think of my style as straddling both fine art and fashion.   The majority of my photographs are portraits of people whose faces I find absolutely fascinating, placed in an environment rich with colors, patterns, textures, and light.   Words that best describe the atmosphere I strive to achieve are: otherworldly, surreal, ethereal, romantic, sensual, poetic, painterly, and beautiful.

Photographers whose style I admire are Tim Walker, Paolo Roversi, Steven Meisel, Ruven Afanador, Mert & Marcus, Mario Testino, and Norman Jean Roy.

If you could take your art in any direction without fear of failure or rejection, where would it lead? What is your dream shoot?
Without fear of failure or rejection, I would lead my work in a direction that would allow it to grace both the fashion and fine art world, involving editorial spreads and gallery shows!   My favorite fashion photographers are those whose work can be seen within the context of magazines as well as the walls of galleries and museums.

My dream shoot is to be in a foreign country photographing an editorial spread for Vogue or W magazine.   The models would be Lindsey Wixon, Doutzen Kroes, and Barbara Palvin.   The location would be an old fashioned mansion with large windows to let the daylight in.   This all goes back to 5th grade when I stumbled upon a Vogue spread photographed by Mario Testino that moved me so deeply I felt compelled to tear it out. I have been engrossed by the fashion industry ever since and it would be a dream come true to be able to contribute.

Where can we find more of your work or hear more about you?
I am working on my website, so for now please email me at jca285@nyu.edu for any questions and check out the show at The Spence School, 22 East 91st Street, until March 9th,  8am-6pm Monday-Friday. [Map]

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