Sophia Schrank
Sophia Schrank
Photographer / Art Director
Los Angeles, CA
www.sophiaschrank.com
instagram @sophiaschrank
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a freelance photographer and art director based in Echo Park Los Angeles with roots in Brooklyn New York.”
I specialize in fashion and editorial photography often shooting on film in a variety of formats. My work as a stage director has been preformed internationally and I rigorously incorporate my love for theatrical drama into my still work. I love to generate a sense of lusciousness in my imagery-a kind of ultra escapism that conjures up opulent, magical feelings within unexpected urban contexts. To further specify my home studio is filled with drawers of fake pearls, gemstones, colorful fabrics and wax flowers. I spend at least one day a week scavenging the markets on Wall Street <3
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My father is a photographer, and I grew up in his studio--but I studied directing at Carnegie Mellon University where I developed a taste for expressionism and symbol. I lived in New York City for a few years where I directed original productions in the downtown scene, and then it occurred to me that I could create these kinds of large scale productions on my own regardless of resources, provided I did so with a camera. A few years later I moved to Los Angeles to further pursue my experiment and the rest is history. I am self educated, but extremely disciplined--about a 1000 self produced shoots later I feel very my inline with my style and taste.
How do you stand out in your field?
Amidst the plethora of gorgeous, yet homogenous imagery my work is colorful, full of texture and admittedly a bit maximalist.I have my my lifelong love for experimental cinema (Stan Brackage and Kenneth Anger are my everything) to thank for influencing my signature aesthetic which I would consider to be equal parts dreaminess to grit. Sometimes poetry can be bold, and I participate more readily in the camp of crazy when it comes to my work.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now I am in production for my first feature film, I am prepping for a Marie Antoinette meets brit-punk lookbook for a luxe shoe brand and actively seeking connections with new Los Angles based collaborators.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is magical realism, but a bit urban expressionist. Pina Baush is probably my biggest stylistic inspiration. My taste is artful and a bit unusual.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
My background is in performance, so inherently I love to see my work in larger scale. As a photographer this is challenging these days because the internet calls for smaller works. I wish I had more time to focus on printed imagery rather than simply making work for instagram or websites. I daydream about putting on immersive gallery shows all the time!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Well, several things but the big one is keeping up the momentum... It takes a lot of effort to not get discouraged, but at all costs I can't let myself get too in my head. I am constantly pushing myself to make more and more work even if nobody is "officially" watching...but truth be told deadlines are motivating and I would like to have more concrete exhibitions on the horizon. On another note, I have one film camera that has been on its last leg for years but I love it so much that I can't fathom getting rid of it...this is a subtle but very real cause for concern these days.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire someone to help me keep current in the global art scene, someone who will shove important newspaper clippings in my hands or keep the radio turned on the right station during my downtime. I live for research but lately I have had to put all my focus into marketing myself and sourcing enough paid gigs that I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to discovering new artists and works. Awareness is everything, as are connections.I feel a bit imposter when I am not giving enough attention to the photo/art world at large...It's a give and take and it can be easy to forget the importance of staying involved when freelance stress takes over. I would also like to pay someone to help me organize my equipment and create a game plan for archiving all the work I have been doing.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
You are in a permanent relationship with yourself so please be kind. (I wish I could have told myself this my first years out of college).
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Cinematography --theory and execution, business....and how to market myself and my work.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
More collaborations, paid gigs (of course) and editorial opportunities! I would love to see my work in more magazines.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is someone who knows their product, the feeling they want to evoke and wants to take risks. I am hugely collaborative but I do work best with people who are imaginative and direct.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
For independent projects, I charge 900 for a half day of shooting, and subsequent edits (the total number of final images will of course depend on the project but usually the sum exists between 10-30 selects) For commercial projects my day rate is $2,500 with edits. I am also comfortable creating "project rates" with clients but a through conversation prior to shooting would be in order.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email is my go-to ideally including a thoughtful brief and a budget outline <3
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Journalling, curiosity, discipline, plastic roses.
This member profile was originally published in November 2018.