Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Plemons.
Mallory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a photographer based in San Diego. My artistic journey began when I was about 16 years old where I started working at a local portrait studio as a photography assistant. I was mentored under many different photographers, and that’s when I really started to get the feel of my own artistic flare through studio portraits and travel landscapes. At first, I was strictly shooting digital, but now I find most of my inspiration through 35mm film photography. In my second year of college, I decided to take my first black and white darkroom class, where I was really introduced to my passion for film. Although film is an abundance of trial and error, the mystery behind each photograph is the real reason I continue to shoot. I find film to be the purest form of any photography, as timing definitely plays a large part in the outcome of the photo. In my years of shooting film, I discovered that you really need to trust your camera and your vision, especially since it takes some time before you can actually see your negative. My plan is to continue growing with my photographs and show that female artists can make an impact in a male-dominated industry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was definitely not a smooth road when it comes to how I became the artist I am today. The portrait studio I worked at made it pretty difficult to move up in the company and didn’t really treat the female employees with the same respect as the males. They typically had male photographers and had the women answering phones and selling the physical prints from each shoot. When I mentioned the idea of shooting for their studio, you could tell they weren’t crazy about the idea of a female being equal in the field. That’s one of the main reasons I decided to leave the company and begin working on my own projects on the side. I then decided to change my major from pre-law to photography and start gaining some insight from professors that have been in the field for a while. As far as advice for other women goes, it’s important to be aware of inequality and make active changes to make a difference in the environment. I aim to actively work towards my own goals and come to terms with the respect I know I deserve when it comes to my work and passions.
We’d love to hear more about Mallory Plemons Photography.
I am known for taking both film and digital portraits and landscapes. I typically shoot a lot of styled portraits for my own models, as well as take travel and candid streetwear shots. I am very proud of my use of both natural and artificial lighting when it comes to my portraits, as lighting really can make or break a shot. My artistic style sets me apart from the others because I’m not afraid to take risks when it comes to creative styling and lighting my photos.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I typically turn to Instagram for photographic inspiration. Instagram is such a widespread platform that can encourage growth and creativity, and I find that it really sparks my own visions in the art world and in life, in general. Whether it’s well-known photographers such as Mark Seliger or my own sister, Instagram is definitely the platform to turn to when looking for inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malloryplemons.wixsite.com/photography
- Email: mplemphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denimwrangler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mallory.plemons
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/denimwrangler
Image Credit:
All photos were shot by Mallory Plemons on 35mm film.
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