Photographer Q&A: Crystal of Ann Drake Photography

Chicago based photographer Crystal is the founder and head photographer of Ann Drake Photography. I became familiar with Crystal’s work a few years ago, and was lucky enough to work with her on a boudoir photo set last year. I began working with various professional photographers about 2 years ago while struggling with body dysmorphia after regaining some weight I’d previously lost. Working with talented photographers like Crystal has really helped me improve my body image, and I highly recommend booking a photo session with a photographer whose work you admire as a way of cultivating self-love and self esteem. (Crystal recently wrote about the important of boudoir photography for people of all sizes, and is very talented at shooting all types of bodies!)

I was in the throes of writing a conference paper when I did my photo shoot with Crystal, drowning in books, so I asked her to incorporate the books into the pictures! The final result was a sort of nerd-chic themed boudoir photo set:

“If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have books, don’t fuck ‘em!” -John Waters

Needless to say, I was very pleased with the outcome. I’ve been consistently impressed by the beauty and diverse imagery Crystal creates in her portraits, so I spoke to her about her creative process and am excited to share some of her work with you.

Name: Crystal

Age: 21

Location: Uptown, Chicago

When did you start taking pictures? What motivated to get more serious about photography?

I’ve been in love with photography from an early age. At 12, I was published in a magazine and from that moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about photography. Professionally, I began shooting a year and a half ago. I was motivated by an extremely talented friend, Tunde Turner and his work under the name Liquid Mojo Photography. He taught me everything that I know and helped me focus on my goals and visions for the future.

You specialize in portraits, including boudoir photography. You have an impressive talent for bringing out different aspects of your subject’s personalities. How do you connect with your models to capture these shots?

I spend a lot of time talking with my models and learning about their personalities and visions. It would be disrespectful and illogical of me to shoot someone in a way they dislike or that they feel uncomfortable with. For example, during a boudoir portrait session, I always take time to ask my model which aspects of their bodies they most like and most dislike. I wouldn’t want to focus on their waist or stomach, for example, if that is an area they are unhappy with. Always taking this attitude when approaching a model’s session allows me to really make their personality shine in their images.  Photoshoots are about the models, not about the photographers.

How do you conceive your photos? Are they a collaboration with the models, or do you generally direct the shoot?

I always look forward to collaborating with a model and incorporating their ideas into the images. However, if a client or model would prefer that I take the lead and plan out the shoot, I am more than happy to direct.

Recently we’ve been running a series about the female gaze, and how the female perspective can color art and culture. Do you think that as a female photographer your sensual imagery has a different flavor than those shot by a male photographer?

You shoot a lot of gorgeous “pin-up” type images of women. Do you ever shoot sexy photos of men as well, and if not, why?

I do shoot men and I will continue to in the future. Men deserve to feel sexy, powerful and beautiful, just as a woman does in a boudoir or nude session. However, I have had experiences in the past where men have contacted me with less than respectful requests and intentions. Due to my past experiences, I am more cautious when working with men.