INTERVIEW NO. 4 (ALYCIA TURPIN)

Alycia Turpin | 16 years old

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How did you start off in photography?

My second oldest sister let me borrow her point and shoot for my oldest sister’s college graduation. I was extremely fascinated in everything around me, now that I could capture it all with a little light capturing device. I’ve always been around cameras, mainly because my oldest sister ALWAYS took photos (she’s a photographer in Nashville). After annoying my sister so much with borrowing her camera, my parents got me my own point-and-shoot for my 14th birthday. My photography then blasted away and is still growing in the early stages of a photographer’s life.




Tell us a little bit about the city/town/neighborhood you live in.

The current town/city I live in is made of mostly churches, pharmacies, banks, and cars that are kept in yards instead of driveways. I live in the lower-middle class part of town, just outside the ghetto. There are gorgeous Victorian houses down the street that the middle school that I went to is located on. Lee University is a college known for its music that I go to for piano lessons, jazz camp, and many other things. Voice of Lee and Phil Stacey are both from this school.

My high school is literally in the middle of nowhere. You’d look out the window during Geometry class and you’ll see horses chasing after each other, or in Chemistry you’ll see cows chewing cud.

This town is the location of the Church of God Headquarters for practically the whole world. It’s pretty cool.




You grew up with artistic siblings. Did that affect your art style at all (and if so, how)?


I would have to say that if it weren’t for my siblings (two older sisters, one little sister, one older brother, and a brother-in-law), I would never have had discovered art. When I was in fifth grade, my sister had a small sketchbook full of drawings. I would look over her shoulder and attempt to redraw what she did. I also borrowed her how-to-draw books and drew those pictures. However, when first starting out, my characters had huge foreheads and odd bodies. Thankfully, with my sister who started out as an Art Major, and my brother who’s going into Animation, their amazingly talented selves helped encourage and critique my art to help form what it is today.

With my oldest sister starting her very own photography business, I can talk photography to her and she can help me discover things I’d never known to be possible. Not to mention she helped my parents pick out my cameras that I currently have and also gave me a lovely Polaroid Instant Film camera.




Are there any themes that you like to explore through your photography, and if so, what?


I would love to explore both the macro world and the amazing model photography. I’ve never truly have gotten my hands on a macro lens, but things smaller than me (which is saying a lot) are just so amazing! Who knew there were textures on even the smoothest of surfaces? And models? There’s so much you can do with them, as long as they’re good. I’ve just never had the frustration of even getting a model to do a photo shoot with. Hopefully when I get my driver’s license I can do this.



Are there any photographers you know in real life who've affected you?


I’ve been inspired by my oldest sister’s old boss, Carrie Workman, but my oldest sister is really the only professional photographer I know. My sister has a very unique style. She’s introduced me to bright, saturated colors, but also the older styles of cross processing looks, or sepia and bokeh. Really, it’s just stuff I’ve picked up over time from conversations with her and looking over her work. However, one thing that is different between the two of us is that she only takes pictures of human beings. I still don’t have access to those kinds of creatures. ;)




What steps have you taken to improve your photography?


I bought one of my sister’s old Nikon dSLR so that I could get more DOF in my photographs. Also, it can become more manual for me. (I absolutely love Manual Focus!) The only thing is that I don’t know how to use it for all of its awesomeness just yet, and I’m nowhere close to learning. I did go Photoshop crazy when I first started photography, but now I’m stepping back from it and looking at what I can do with just the norm in a photo.




Who is/are your inspiration(s) in photography?

My oldest sister is my biggest inspiration in photography. She didn’t even have college training as a photographer and is already making it big where she lives. She gives me tips on what to do for a certain feel in a photograph. My friends are also great supporters and critics for my work, and they themselves are great as well.




Which is your favorite photo that you've taken? Is there a story behind it?

It’s pretty hard to answer this question. I’m going to conclude that the photograph of my brother-in-law playing his guitar at his Senior Recital is my favorite. I rarely take photos of people (yet I really want to), and this one was not posed at all. His intense expression as he made his final impression on the music professors is genuine. I also can’t help but love the music aspect of it.





Cats or dogs? Why?

I love the feeling of a cat’s fur, but I love a dog’s personality. I do own two dogs, but I also own a cat. Why must I choose between my children? This is very hard. I must say that dogs love me more, though.




If you had a day to spend with anyone alive, dead, or fictional, who would it be?

I’d probably go on a photo shoot with Stefan. He’s been one of my photography/RPing friends ever since seventh grade, practically. I know that some pretty amazing photographs and stories would form from the photo shoot.




What's your current music?

Well, currently I’ve been listening to my school musical’s music, ranging from Elvis’ style to hard rock. However, outside of that I’ve been in love with playing classical pieces. I’m really trying to challenge myself with my instruments with harder pieces, so I guess I listen to more from those composers as well.




What do you want your impact on the world to be?

I want to make an impact on people with similar aspirations as me. I long to be able to take photos in the real world, living the life my photos show. That, or my photos reflect who I am. I want to travel the world and help with orphanages or when disasters hit I’d be honored to help. It’s pretty tough keeping up with everything as a high school student, though. I’m going to work on it as much as possible.




What would you like to ask our next interviewee?


What is your favorite color, and does it show up a lot in your photography?




Thanks very much for letting me interview you, Alycia!

To view more of Alycia's work, click here!