Molly Strohl
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“Creative Photography working mainly with the “moving image” through 3D Photography and Cinemagraphs. ”
My experience with professional retouching also lends itself to my adoration with photo manipulation. I am inspired by the beautifully mundane in-between moments of life.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I’ve been an “art kid” ever since I can remember, and it was only natural I would choose it as a lifestyle and career. I picked up the camera in high school in an effort to get in on the Flickr craze, and I ended up meeting a lot of wonderful people along the way, some of whom are still near and dear friends of mine. I decided art school was the way for me after graduating high school and I went on to earn my BFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design.
A visit to Portland, OR was all it took to convince me to drive across the country (grumpy cat in tow) and plant some roots of my own. I took a job as a film scanning technician at a local film lab and I learned an incredible amount of valuable information about film photography in the 3 years that I worked there.
How do you stand out in your field?
I like to experiment and push the boundaries of a photograph. Finding new ways to alter an image or a new method of taking that photo. I hate complacency and thrive when challenged.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m working on a series of cinemagraphs highlighting local artists working in their studios. Also exploring other methods of 3D photography and ways it can be utilized/showcased. I’m never not thinking about the next thing I want to create.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I’m still figuring out my style, but I’ll honestly probably say the same thing when I’m 70. I think generally I like things to feel a bit surreal. I enjoy trying new things like experimenting with different lighting and environments. I like to be a chameleon and adapt to whatever situation I’m shooting in, while still adding my own flare for the “weird”. I’d like to work towards getting a studio of my own so I can have the space to create my own scenes, but having the world as your studio isn’t so bad either!
WE ALL HAVE MULTIPLE SKILLS OR WORK IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD FOCUS ON MORE?
I’ve made a few videos over the years, and I would LOVE to make more. I feel like it’s something I’ve barely scratched the surface on. It’s a medium that no doubt I think I would have fun with. Music videos have inspired me since the days of watching Top 20 Countdown shows on Saturday mornings. I love how there are zero limits to what you can accomplish in a music video. Bringing visuals to a musical piece is so satisfying.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’ve had several pieces of photo gear break over the last couple months and it’s been super annoying. My 3D camera most recently quit on me, and the thought of shelling out $300 for a camera that was bought for $20 just five years ago… it doesn’t sit great with me. So that task keeps getting pushed to bottom of my list for sure.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Meal prep for me PLEASE. Cutting vegetables is the bane of my existence.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
It’s easy to lost in all the things you wish you could have warned yourself or things you regret doing, but I’m a deep believer that mistakes are meant to be made and learning from them is how we better ourselves. I definitely would not be where I am now if it weren’t for all the errors I made along the way. I think there are some interests that I wish I would have recognized earlier, but I’m enjoying them now and that’s all that really matters!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Is there someone who can predict the economic market? I’d like to have a few words with them...
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’d love to make Cinemagraphs for brands. I’m looking to work with people who operate outside the box and have clear aesthetics. Projects that call for some experimentation and trying a new technique are my favorite.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I think every client and job is different with their goals and inspirations so to have an “ideal” would set myself up for failure. As long as I’m working with people who don’t treat me as someone who just “presses the button” and they value my creative energy, that’s how magic is made!
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Since I offer a lot of different types of image making, my prices are quoted on a project by project basis. Cinemagraphs and 3D photos are typically a flat rate, while still imagery is charged by the hour/day.
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
Lillian Hardy @lillianhardy
Kory Kingsley @heretheregallery
Mary Thomas @marylthomas
Chloe Jarnac @chloejarnac
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Holla at my email with your goals and budget: molly.strohl@gmail.com
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Sketching, dancing, crafting, cooking, walking
This member profile was originally published in February 2019.