Q&A With Photographer Kodi Lane
Millions of dreamers flock to the City of Angels year after year in the pursuit of artistic endeavors. As a fashion capital, the streets are filled with rising talent. Among them is Editorial and Fashion Photographer, Kodi Lane. This Canadian native turned LA resident, is wasting no time in transforming his ideas from dreams to reality. Working with hip brands such as We Are Handsome, Kodi is heating up the fashion scene! Intrigued by his edgy imagery, I had to find out more.
Age: 26
Hometown: High River, Alberta, Canada
Current Location: Los Angeles, CA
Equipment: Kodak Film, Canon Rebel 2000, Yashica GSN, Macbook Pro.
Q: When did you first wield a camera?
A: A lightning bolt sparked. With a great flash The Earth shook, the smoke cleared, and behold; there was Kodi Lane standing in the midst of the smoke, wielding his Film and a Camera.
Q: Are you self-taught or did you study in school?
A: I majored in Computer Science and took a few classes on digital art, new media, and graphic design. But I learn best from my own mistakes; by trying new things, and working with what I have available to me. Anything you want to learn you can teach yourself, all the information you need to answer a question is online.
Q: What influenced you to become a photographer?
A: Fashion TV, Vogue, I remember watching that channel on TV and being mesmerized, probably because the women were so beautiful, and the clothing so elegant. I’d flip through fashion magazines to look at the ads and I was always intrigued. It held a little place of interest. But when I had other interests as well, music, computers, I always figured I’d be like that guy from Tron working in some Computer Lab playing with giant machines. But then I got a camera.
Q: Which lens could you not live without?
A: I really like the lens on my Yashica GSN Electro 35. Nothing beats it! I got mine for $4.99 at a thrift store. It’s a shame that most digital cameras have crop sensors. Now you have to pay at least $3000 just to get a camera that can use a lens that’s equivalent without standing on the other side of the street to take the picture.
Q: When did you decide to move to the City of Angels? Do you draw any particular inspiration from the city?
A: At first I moved around Ventura. In 2004 I moved out here with a friend from Canada and we spent every waking hour surfing, playing our guitars, having bonfires on the beach, and spending our savings from working at a grocery store during high school. Once the funds ran out, he went back to go to school and I stayed for a few more years, eventually moving back to go to school as well. A few years later I moved back and have been here since.
Q: What’s the craziest location you’ve ever shot in?
A: Standing in the middle of oncoming traffic on the 405 south…Okay, I was in a car, but still.
Q: Is there anything that you especially love about LA Fashion?
A: Melrose has some great shops and some awesome vintage and flee markets. There’s always cool art and fashionable people around. Some really cool designers and companies are located there, and it’s always one of my favorite spots to photograph.
Q: How would you define your photographic style?
A: People always tell me I’m raw, and edgy, and that I capture moments of vulnerability. I just photograph what I think looks good from my perspective. But I never really thought about it. I like to be comfortable and to just take things as they go. I tend to not rush and just enjoy the moment.
Q: What inspires your imagery?
A: Natural Beauty, mixed races, awesome styles, futurism, grunge, trends.
Q: Do you strictly freelance or are you working with a particular company?
A: Right now I’m freelance. I haven’t had an offer for an exclusive contract yet. But I know companies like to maintain a consistent brand image, especially after creating an image. I wouldn’t be surprised If I was invited to be apart of an exclusive branding process, and worked out some sort of agreement to keep my photography just in one company.
Q: Name the top 3 bands/artists that are blasting out the headphones of your mp3 player.
A: Honestly, I’m mostly visual. Sometimes I laugh because I have almost no sense of smell and I think it somehow enhanced my creative vision. When I do feel the need for some tunes, I prefer instrumentals, like “The Caretaker”.
I usually like movie soundtracks, or classic jazz. Then again, I always feel like I need to listen to Edith Piaf’s “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, ” just to remind myself I’m still living the dream (Please tell me you’ve seen Inception!).
Besides that, the top played on my Itunes is something like:
Ratatat
James Blake
Bob Marley
The Caretaker
Zed’s Dead
Jimi Hendrix
Aerosmith
Gun’s n Roses
Flying Lotus
Shlohmo
The Weeknd
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
(Beyonce is also on that list, but I’m not even going to get into that).
Q: Do you have any favorite photographic processes?
A: I always wanted to try Caffenol. And, The Ripley’s Museum here in Hollywood had some photographs processed in sewage water once, I really wish I could remember the name of it.
Q: Who are some of your favorite photographers?
A: Myself…After that Mert and Marcus. I think those Gucci ads are the reason why I had an interest in fashion photography to begin with.
Q: If you could photograph anyone, who would it be?
A: I think Noemie Lenoir - Lisa Bonet – They always inspired me. Or at least I find them very attractive. Sometimes attraction and inspiration is the same thing to me.
I really like a lot of the models these local brands are choosing, especially Nasty Gal. I feel the results of a collaboration [with them] would be impressive, they have great style. I’d also love to shoot a campaign in Japan, or the Caribbean.
Q: Where do you hope to be 5 years from now?
A: Living in LA on the weekends and traveling during the week. I’d love taking photos in: New York; Japan; Montreal; Vancouver; Australia; the Caribbean; and especially the UK! But until the city burns down, LA will be home.
To check out more photography from Kodi Lane visit his website here.
