Piper Carter has worked as a freelance assistant for many of the top photographers in the world, and as a studio assistant at three of the top studios in the world: Pier 59, Industria, and Splashlight Studios in New York City. For three years she was assistant to maverick photographer Steven Klein working with him on some of the most famous projects of his career, including the ones featuring Brad Pitt and another with Madonna. She also assisted David Seidner on his last two projects before he passed away, including a series of famous portraits of Naomi Campbell and Leontine Price.
She graduated from FIT in May 2007 with a BFA in Photography & Digital Media. She completed her internship at Vogue Magazine in the Photography Dept. assisting the photo research team with editorial content for the magazine and the Poiret exhibition featured this past summer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Costume Institute.
Recently, Piper was on VH1's "The Shot," a fashion photography reality series and I took the opportunity to find out more about her.
Shannon: When was the very first time you picked up a camera, shot something and realized you had a knack for photography?
Piper Carter: I first picked up a camera (Canon AE-1) in 1992. I was attending Howard University at the time & had changed my major to Photography. I had no previous knowledge of photography & it kind of came to me naturally. I became hooked in the darkroom after I developed my first roll of Kodak 100 t-max, & watched in awe As my contact sheet miraculously appeared! I realized: Wow! I did that? I want to do this for the rest of my life.
Shannon: Thinking back to this moment, what was the image that inspired you?
Piper: My most inspirational image to date is a mermaid image I made a few years ago. My comrade Lenoid made an amazine denim skirt fashioned after a ball gown with rolls of ruffles. The model is Hollis: a beautiful creature with so much heart and passion. She works the brilliant red wig created by Ursula Stephan, a real artist. And she is slightly silouhetted against a white background. Make up artist Hiyiyatun Muqaribu makes us able to feel her buttery skin, & full lips. It’s a great project I really love.
Shannon: Many Fashion Photographers have told me that it is their love for art that guides them in how they capture an image through their lens and bring it to life, is this the same for you as well?
Piper: My inspiration comes from many sources: a combination of the French New Wave movement, The German Expressionist movement, the Blaxploitation movement, the Northern Renaissance, Octavia Butler, Shakespeare, & Stanley Kubrick.
Shannon: What is your favorite aspect to fashion photography?
Piper: My favorite aspects of fashion photography, besides great images, are researching the idea: looking up various resources, and the collaborative spirit of a good team all working together lending their expertise to the creative endeavor.
Shannon: Reflecting on the photographers you have worked with, what aspects of their knowledge have you incorporated into creating your own work?
Piper: I’ve worked with the best fashion photographers in recent history. One common factor they share is passion. They all are dedicated to making a perfect image & strong project. They all continue testing in their spare time Working on personal projects, trying new ideas, new people, expanding their scope. I follow this module in my life, “Keep shooting.”
Shannon: Do you have a favorite photographer among them whose mentoring inspired you the most?
Piper: I have three favorite photographers who have mentored me: Steven Klein, from whom I learned everything; David Seidner (r.i.p.), who was so generous with his vision and method; and Nick Ruchel, from whom I learned almost all of my technical knowledge.
Shannon: Is there a single characteristic among your photography that is a common thread seen through each image that is signature “Piper Carter”?
Piper: I would say my “style” is best described as simple, clean, fresh, strong, & raw.
Shannon: Whose idea was it to submit an entry for VH1’s “The Shot”?
Piper: I cannot really comment on VH1 behind the scenes stuff just yet, since the show is still running.
Shannon: Was it intimidating to be among other great photographers and then also having the cameras focused on you?
Piper: Yes, working with other photographers can be uncomfortable. Photography is a solo sport. There is only 1 lens, so There can be only 1 vision. Everyone sees things differently so it’s quite a challenge to come together as a collective. At first I was uncomfortable being filmed, but after a while I got used to it. Sometimes I’d forget, but it was definitely on my mind at other times.
Shannon: Many people often say, “There is no reality in reality TV,” have you been watching the show and found that the way things happened are not the way they are being presented on the show?
Piper: I wish I could speak on that!
Shannon: What is the one thing you have learned about yourself and your photography since being on The Shot?
Piper: The one thing I learned about myself is that I am stronger than I thought and that I just see things a lot differently than most others. I realized I am a much better photographer than I thought.
Shannon: Can you share with us any upcoming projects you are working on?
Piper: I am currently working on an upcoming exhibition for the spring in New York City.
You can view a sampling of Piper Carter's work on her website www.pipercarter.com and through her profile on MySpace. If you happen to be on the fashion social networking site, IQONS, Piper has a profile set up there as well.
Posted by Shannon Nelson on November 27, 2007 11:54 AM
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