Nova Scotia Artisan Interview: Blueberry Bay Photos

Promoting Artisans

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably know one of my firm beliefs is in supporting artisans in creating their craft business. Sure, I also promote The Silver Hook (I’m an artisan, too :). I believe that many economic and environmental problems would be helped with a shift to supporting small businesses rather than large corporations. In this spirit, I have started accepting applications for blog interviews (if you are an small business artisan, send me a description of your work or website link to info@TheSilverHook.ca). This interview is with Sandi Corbin of Blueberry Bay Photos – a very talented photographer who brings focus to unaltered surroundings, including her love of the sea!

“My images are what some people would call “pure” photography which means that for the most part, I don’t manipulate them digitally.”

 

Blueberry Bay Photos

1. How did you start in your field?

When I was young, I absorbed a lot of ideas about color, texture and composition while watching my Mother paint. Although I tried to follow in her footsteps, I very quickly discovered that I was not able to capture images, using paint, in a way that satisfied me. My older brother, who is a photographer, encouraged me to give it a try and I was hooked. I started out with a manual SLR but have since converted to a digital camera. I have been taking photographs for over 40 years but it has really only been in the last 10 or so that I have been brave enough to share them with people outside my family.

2. Where are you located, and where can your work be found (online, in stores, markets, etc)?

After being away about 25 years, my husband and I recently moved back to Nova Scotia. I have participated in a few art and craft shows since moving to Halifax but my work is currently only available through my Etsy store – www.blueberrybayphotos.etsy.com [and on Facebook]

3. How would you describe your creations? What makes you unique compared to a similar artisan?

My images are what some people would call “pure” photography which means that for the most part, I don’t manipulate them digitally. What you see is essentially what I saw. I photography what strikes my fancy which could be still life, landscapes, seascapes or nature in general. I don’t usually include people in my photos. I think it has something to do with the fact that I hate having my own picture taken – I know, weird for a photographer isn’t it!

4. Could you describe your artistic process? Where do you find inspiration?

I always have a hard time answering questions about my “artistic process”. I essentially roam the world until something or someplace calls out and says “see if you can capture what you see right now”. Textures, colors and different lighting conditions are all inspirational triggers for my process. I love images with a flavour of the sea which may be rooted in my longing for the ocean when I lived in Ontario and Alberta.

5. What advice would you give to a beginner artisan?

My advice would be to try lots of different kinds of arts and crafts. See what ignites your passion. Also network and always be promoting your work. This last bit of advice is a hard one for me as I am by nature not very assertive.

6. How do you market your business?

As I mentioned, right now my work is only on Etsy so I have been promoting using online tools. I make treasuries, comment on discussion threads, blogs, etc and talk up my work on my Blueberry Bay Photos facebook page ( www.facebook.com/blueberrybayphotos).
On Etsy, I am part of a team of all female photographers from across the globe. We are in the process of creating a photo book called “Still: the art of living” composed of selected images from the team members. It is an exciting project and hopefully will be a good marketing tool.
I have done a few local arts and crafts shows since I moved back and while I enjoyed participating, sales could have been better. I have been investigating other avenues that might be more suitable for my work.

7. What goals do you have this year?

This year, I would like to diversify my products to introduce some more functional pieces (i.e. cards, photo coasters and tiles). I also plan to investigate retail/wholesale opportunities to expand my market.

8. What is your favourite creation?

My favourite creation is usually my latest one! I am always excited to get home and download my images to see what I have captured. One of my long term favourites is a black and white image of a chair with a cup and book on the seat. It was a simple subject but the light was just perfect.

9. Is there anything you would like to add?
Just that your blog is great! It’s full of great information for artists and crafters of all kinds. Keep up the good work.
 
 

Thank you so much Sandi! I love both your landscape and your eye for shadows.

Susan

 

P.S. More interviews are linked on the right side bar.