Meet Myles Loftin

Myles is an eighteen year old Art Hoe from the DMV who also doubles as a creative director and photographer. He got his start on the popular photo editing app VSCO cam where he began his journey to being renowned photographer.

He recently published his portrait series of local DMV artists posing as teens from 80s prom photos, "I chose to do a 80s prom theme because I think the vibrant colors, and styles of the 80s accurately represent the vibe of the community [DMV]. I think of prom as like the celebration and accumulation of the hard work that you’ve put in during high school."

@goldenpolaroid

What inspired you to pick up a camera?

ML: The first time I went to Italy with my family my uncle let me use his camera. I think that was the first time I remember truly enjoying taking photos. When I came back that was all I was interested in, I spent hours looking at camera models and watching videos of others using their cameras. Finally, that Christmas I asked for my own camera and from then on that was the only art I was truly interested in.

Do you prefer to shoot studio or outdoor?

ML: I like to do more outdoor shoots because you can incorporate more of the enviornment into the portraits which brings more life and character to the photograph, but i'm working doing more studio shoots. I working on using more different colored backgrounds for studio portraits as well as monochrome coloring.

Where did you get the inspiration for your 80s prom themed shoot?

ML: I was speaking to my friend Reuel (IG: @ReuelKlara) about the star filter that he bought that creates an effect of four point stars on photos. I thought it would be cool to incorporate silver streamers because they reminded me of older prom photos. Then I expanded this idea into a series in which Reuel and I take portraits in that style loosely based of Petra Collins' yearbook. Reuel took it a bit further and presented the idea that we focus the portraits around local artists and pair it with an interview with each of them. The shoot caught the eye of Dazed magazine's art and culture editor and we are currently in the works of getting it featured in Dazed.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer in this day and age?

ML: Regardless of the time period, it's that everyone thinks that being a photographer is simple. That anyone can pick up a camera from the corner store or local electronics store and that they can become a photographer as well. Just because you have a camera it doesn't make you a photographer. And just because you have an expensive camera it doesn't make a photographer either. Someone with a point and shoot could be better than someone with an expensive up to date Canon. It's all about your vision and what the art means to you. In my opinion if there isn't passion behind the camera then you're just another person taking a photo. Part of the challenge is separating yourself is from the stigma of those who call themselves photographers and actually proving that you are real and care about the art.

Who is your favorite photographer right now?

ML: I really don't have favorites, I consume a lot of media so I never really know exactly who i'm feeling at the moment. If I had to chose though I really like Tyra Mitchelle (IG:@tyrathezombie). I've watched her progress since her move to New York and her moves are inspiring. She shot SZA for opening ceremony not too long ago as well as Bryson Tiller for Saint Heron. I really love the way she takes portraits. I also like Ryan McGinley (IG:@Ryanmcginleystudios) work, he takes a lot of nude portraits on different colored backgrounds. I enjoy Wissa's work as well because they shoot only film and by looking at their photos you couldn't tell that they were taken in 2016 they more like 1993. Those are just a couple.

Where do you see yourself and your craft in five years?

ML: In five years I see myself graduated from Parsons (hopefully) with a bachelor in arts and photography. College (hopefully) has allowed me to make connections to be able to get to my goal of being a freelance photographer for a magazine. Ex. I-d, Nylon, Dazed, ect. I know the schools I'm looking at right now have strong ties to some of the magazines i'm interested in so i'm hoping that will result in an internship. In five years I want to be able to say that I am a full time photographer and artist.

Any advice for novice photographers or people who want to get into photography, but just don't know how?

ML: What I've been doing since I started was look at people who have come before me and who are doing what I would like do and emulate that in my own work. Find what you like, take pictures of that, then you'll get really good at it and develop a style unique to you and recognizable to others.

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