We had a chance to talk a bit about his creative process amid the buzzing of print machines.
KJ Parish:Hi Brandon.
When did you first become interested in photography?
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Ive always been an artistic kid.
KJ:Are you inspired by people that have a digital or extra-worldly concept or technique in their artwork?
BW:Im always inspired by unique styles.
Its always going to keep evolving and changing so its definitely a lot of fun.
BW:I think its always been there.
I guess when I startedI dont knowit definitely evolved into what it is right now.
Brandon Woelfel
KJ:Did you feel drawn to working with light early on?
So…they helped me a lot just kind of express myself.
KJ:You were drawn to light though, in particular?
KJ:Did it actually start with Christmas lights?
The challenge for me was what kind of sparked the light play.
KJ:It was sort of a technical, continuing conceptual exploration.
BW:Yeah, yeah.
I challenge myself with what else I can do…pushing the limits and just keep going off that.
KJ:So, youre always seeing what else you’ve got the option to do.
BW:Yeah, sometimes even with using different models I feel like the whole picture is different.
Its funny because Ive actually taken photos in my room a lot but throughout the years theyve totally evolved.
Comparing [photos] to those taken a year later is completely different.
What inspires you about a place?
I follow accounts that keep me up to date on so scouting out is fun for me.
It ends next week!
and then well make a trip out of it and go for fun but also take photos.
That happened like last week, actually (laughs).
KJ:You take photos inside of gallery exhibits?
BW:Yeah, I do that a lot.
Theres a lot of different ones that are hidden no one knows abouttheyre only for like a week long.
Definitely a fun thing for me.
KJ:Huh, thats really cool.
What are you looking for when youre putting together a photograph or an idea for a photograph?
BW:Im looking for the right light.
A photo by Brandon from his upcoming book, Luminescence.
Its so many different categories that come into play when Im thinking of a photo.
Its not really one specific thing.
KJ:Do you want to talk specifically about any art that inspires you?
Or people that inspired you at all?
BW:Um..lets see.
KJ:Youre drawn to peoples technique and not necessarily one persons continuous style.
BW:Right, yeah.
KJ:Thats interesting.
Thats like, a whole other conversation (laughs).
BW:Yeah, that girl in the photo is my neighbor.
We grew up together and shes been there through all my, like, photo techniques.
She knows all about it.
Theyre always helping me out with photo concepts.
If I have an idea, Ill just be like Go outside!
because she lives right there.
I like how they give a different emotion to the photo.
It definitely shows more emotion.
BW:YeahI like having photos look almost candid and in the moment.
Is it weird for them at all that theyre kind of known [through your work]?
BW:Theyve gotten used to it.
They have also gotten really good at posing too.
I dont really have to tell them anymore.
KJ:So, do you know everybody that youre shooting?
A lot of the people in the book that are recurring Ive become great friends with.
Just from shooting or Im already friends with them and they help me out with a photo.
Ive made a lot of friendships through photography.
KJ:Do people approach you a lot to ask if they can be photographed by you?
KJ:Okay, so you said youre 22, right?
KJ:Where did you grow up?
BW:I grew up and am still based in Long Island, New York.
KJ:What do you shoot with?
Here and there, I use my 35mm.
I like to use fixed portrait lenses, not really zoom.
Those are my favorite ones.
KJ:If you had to describe your technique or your process, how would you describe it?
BW:Its definitely more technical than it seems.
I have grown to know the programs I use and what each tool can benefit me for each photo.
KJ:As you put together the photos forLuminescence, what did you feel was the underlying concept?
But they get to see the final image, which is cool.
It doesnt have to be the same moment but I curate it so the colors play off each other.
A lot of light play in there.
And showing the people that are in them.
They are super stoked on it too.
Now its coming alive in a different way with print.
BW:And, being able to hold something that has a memory behind it is a cool feeling.
KJ:I thought it was interesting as I was going through all the proofs.
BW:Yeah, I love photos that have that feel good sense and expression in the photos.
KJ:Well, great.
Thanks for taking the time for this interview.
BW:No problem!
