Speaking With Grace McDermott.

4/26/2016Jake Ryan

Photography is quickly becoming one of my main interests, and because of this I will spend a ridiculous amount of time scrolling through Instagram searching out photographers. One of my favourite people on Instagram right now is Grace McDermott.

You can find Grace under the username grice.whiterice (or click her name above to go straight there)

I was introduced to Grace through her brother recently when she supplied the photos for a recent post, and ever since I have found myself captivated by her unique photography style.

I recently put some questions to Grace about her photography and her plans for the future, see what she had to say...

Hey Grace, Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m 22 years old, I grew up in a town outside of Philadelphia, and being a photographer was never a childhood goal of mine.

When did you get into photography?

I have no set time when I fell into photography. I think it was a very slow movement. I didn’t take my first photos and think “oh yeah, this is it, this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.” I met a friend in 9^th grade who showed me the world of photography. He had a really good eye and made photography seem really cool to me. After that I was taking pictures like a mad man. When I learned about 35mm film at the age of 18, my style really changed.

How would you explain your photography style?

I’ve been compared to paintings and photos taken in a different time period. I like to think my photographs are a resting place between two very important moments.

What equipment do you shoot with?

Barely anything. I bought my first 35mm film camera on Ebay not having a clue what I was buying and it’s still the same camera I use today. I hate the technical world. I’m not the one you’ll find with the most expensive gear either. My favorite medium format camera is the Mamiya RZ67.

What do you use to edit your shots?

I learned how to edit the hard way, in the darkroom, where a fraction of a second could make or break you. I was in there every day, for countless hours, for two years. That gave me a lot of ideas and experimentations that I carried over to Photoshop.

Tell us a little about the work you’ve done in the past?

I’ve had work up in a restaurant in my hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania for a few months. Almost all of my photos sold which was really exciting. After that I designed the behind the scenes photo book for my brothers film “Imagigary”. That was my first real graphic design/illustration work.

Do you have any favourite photographers?

I don’t. I used to get embarrassed by the fact that I didn’t have any favorite photographers. I have favorite photographs and paintings and movie scenes. I grew up surrounded by images from Mary Engelbreit and Norman Rockwell. When I was little I wanted to be a painter, now in a way I am.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from things that force you to think and see differently. A lightning storm, a fire, sitting in the window seat of an airplane, the reflection in a puddle, I could go on forever. People tend to forget how amazing these things are.

What would be your ideal project as a photographer?

This is a really hard question for me because everyday my idea changes. I’d love to be sent on an assignment somewhere to photograph a country or a cause. I’d love to have all my photographs hung up in galleries around the world or in someone’s home. I’d love to be a behind the scenes photographer on films. I want to do it all.

If you were to start your journey into photography again, what advice would you give yourself?

I’m not a big believer in advice. I’ve always found that people never take it, including myself. I needed to experience everything I did to become the artist and person I am now. If I somehow time traveled to give myself advice I might have screwed it all up.

What are your plans for the future?

On May 7^thI’ll have a few pieces up for sale at the Co-Lab in Los Angeles. The show will be up for a little over a month. I also shot Eden Sher for her book, which will hit stands in October. It’s called “The Emotionary”. Other than that I’ll be doing the same thing I’m always doing, traveling and shooting.

To check out more work from Grace, head over to her website and see all of her work and if you're in LA around May time don't miss her work at Co-Lab.

www.gracemcdermott.com