Kristin Hedrick sees life from another view, behind the scope of her camera. Her hobby has turned into a passion she embraces every spare moment she has. Her love for Cleveland, Ohio is remarkably detailed in the raw photos, touched with her ability to bring beauty from the industrial beast. When Hedrick takes pictures, it is in that moment, that stilled breath, she lives passionately. That same passion could be seen in her work. Her love of photography is her escape and heaven. Those interested in seeing more can visit her website.
Viral Global News had the distinct pleasure to interview Hedrick, as she provided stunning photos of her work, which will capture your eyes and have you look again, and again.
One concept of Hedrick’s work is her ability to make the plethora of abandoned buildings in Cleveland, come alive. From the stillness of darkness, rot and shadows of abandonment – within her lens is the moment of fragile beauty, uncovered, raw and astounding. Additionally, in the midst of the background, she will occasionally insert a wickedly gorgeous model, daring sexy into the image.
VGN: Looking at the photos you snapped, there is a deep love there. Where did it stem from?
KH: I have always loved photography since I can remember. When I made the move to Cleveland from a smaller town, I felt overwhelmed by all of the sights. I wanted to capture everything so I could always remember how I felt at that particular moment. I still feel the same way about Cleveland today, I really love this city.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: When did a camera first touch your hands?
KH: I got my first camera I believe for Christmas in 1985 from my mom. It was a Polaroid 600, and I thought it was totally amazing! I wish that I still had it, even though finding film would be difficult.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: You focus a lot on abandoned buildings in Cleveland, why?
KH: I kept trying to figure out what my “subject area” was and I finally figured out that it’s anything that my heart is drawn too…and for some reason, it was decay. I think abandoned buildings are the best kept secrets, and although they may be nothing to look at for most people, I think there is much beauty in decay. The ironic thing is that abandoned buildings feel alive to me. They are involved in a beautiful natural process that the act of preservation will, by its nature, halt and kill.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: A few of the photos depict a sexy woman before the gritty landscape. What makes you gravitate to it?
KH: I love the contrast of mixing old and new, sexy and gritty. Something about it really makes you stop and look. It confuses the mind at bit, which I really like.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: When I personally looked at your work, I felt a mix of emotions. What five words come to mind when you consider your own work?
KH: Expressive, organic, broken, distorted, free form.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: Considering where your love has taken you over the past several years, what are some differences you see today from when you first started?
KH: Blurred and Secondary. My style changes every single shoot, nothing is ever the same. I don’t ever have a plan when I shoot, I just show up and go with what I feel.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: There is that “it” moment when a photographer raises their camera to their eye. When you find that “perfect” shot, what goes through your head?
KH: I always think “Just have fun with it!” If I get to focused on the subject, or the lighting, or the camera settings, I never get the shot I want. When I just have fun with it, it seems to work itself out.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: If you photograph anything in the world, what would it be?
KH: Craco is a medieval village in Italy that has been left for nature to creep back in, well its abandoned, actually, because of nature. Some movies have been filmed in Craco, most notably The Passion Of The Christ and Quantum Of Solace. It would be a dream come true to shoot there.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: If you could photograph any person (living or dead) who would it be and why?
KH: Freddie Mercury, without question. From glittery unitards to short shorts to royal capes topped with a crown, Freddie could pull off anything. He was just an amazing performer.
Photo credit: KH Photography, not to be used, reproduced without express permission from artist.
VGN: Expression is everything for artists, what do you want your work to say for you at the end of the day?
KH: Like most photographers, I suffer over the photos I did not take. At the end of the day I just want my photography to capture just one single moment in time. With the growth of video in all of our lives (YouTube, Smartphones, TV, etc) we miss that single moment where you see true passion, or determination, or nature’s true self. That is what photography does that videography does not. Each little moment of our lives is available for memory protection thanks to photography. That’s pretty darn amazing.
Kristin Hedrick – Photo credit: KH Photography.
Interested in seeing more of Kristin’s work?
KH Photography Website
KH Photograhy Facebook Page
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