Meet the TEN AND ONE AWARD judges: Luca Mercedes

Luca is a NYC based Fashion & Fine Art Wedding Photographer and Art Director. She is also the founder of the print magazine HONEST, which is dedicated to analog photography. Meet our new TEN AND ONE AWARDS judge!

Hello! Welcome to the Lomography Magazine. Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello fellow photography enhusiasts. I am Luca-Mercedes, an Austrian born NYC based Fashion & Fine Art Wedding Photographer, Art Director and the Founder of HONEST., a print Magazine dedicated to analog photography.

How did your interest with photography start?

When my dad passed 17 years ago, I inherited his Leica R4 and started shooting my first rolls of film. Two years later I applied to attend the die Graphische in Vienna, Austria, to study photography – quit right before I finished and went full circle to become a successful photographer regardless.

How would you define photography? What makes it worth pursuing?

Photography is all about telling a story. Wether it is your story, a brands story, a couples story....or a made up story.
A good image tells a story and makes you feel... something.
From my personal perspective: I tried to not become a photographer, at the end oft he day I just could not NOT be a photographer. It is who I am and my language of art, work, living, loving. It is worth pursuing if you know it is and just can’t help it because it is who you are. Find something you are passionate about, and try become the best at it.

What inspires you?

The desert. Humans. Love. Pain. Younger folks that are eager to learn (I love to teach, usually I learn more than the students ha!).

What makes a good photograph?

What I said above:
Photography is all about telling a story. Wether it is your story, a brands story, a couples story....or a made up story.
A good image tells a story and makes you feel...something.
Make a person stop what they are doing and really looking at what is in front of them.

Any advice that you’d like to give aspiring photographers?

Work hard. Build a tribe that shares your passion. Build connections. Don’t overestimate yourself and always try to get better. Get closer!

Check out the magazine HONEST, and see more of Luca's work on her Website or follow her on Instagram.

2018-01-17 #people #community #judges #ten-and-one-awards