It’s a funny question. I get this one every now and again, and I get it 100% of the time I tell someone what I do in person.
It wasn’t something I “transitioned” into because as far as photography goes, it is really the only photography I’ve ever seriously pursued.
I bought my first camera when I was 13 so I could take naked pictures of my girlfriend at the time; yup, pretty much ALWAYS been super into naked ladies. I shot the roll and then realized I’d get in trouble if I took it to the camera store (I wonder what happened to that roll). So next time I was at the store, I got a Polaroid camera in an effort to circumvent the whole camera store problem. Needless to say, the results were certainly uninspiring and were eventually burned, but that camera made a big impression.
The more I played with cameras, the more I fell in love with them. I always wanted to be good at an art but I could never draw and later would find out I had no musical skills either, but cameras I loved and wasn’t half bad with.
My high school had a photography class, but I never thought I was good enough to take it. Later that year, the school found out I was a very quick runner and made me run track. I went to a boarding school so I couldn’t get out of it unless I had another class at the same time, and the only option was photography. So I signed up. Traded my polaroid for a 35mm camera and I lived in that dark room. Ruined all my punk shirts with darkroom chemicals and took pictures of EVERYTHING.
My friends and I started a punk band, but I was honestly more into taking pictures of the band than being in it. I’d shoot my friends during the day and then my girlfriend in the bath at night.
I couldn’t stop taking pictures, but it was always the naked pictures that I LOVED the most. I eventually just accepted that it was what I loved to photograph and fortunately enough for me I’ve always had friends that were willing to let me shoot them. As the years went on, I started meeting more models and then I’d shoot them as well as my friends.
Most people don’t understand it and most girls don’t want to date a guy that does what I do; or if they do, it becomes a problem. Its very hard to be a nude photographer and not have it have large effects on your personal life; unless you are surrounded by the most amazing people.
The way I look at it is that a person’s reaction to what I do pretty much immediately weeds out anyone that I would later discover I wouldn’t get along with.
It’s a bit cliche, but I believe 100% in the notion that if something inspires you, you should stick to it. There’s enough shit to make it through in life that if something makes you super happy and isn’t harming you, then you should go after it without hesitation.
I’m not sure if that answers the question or just an excuse for me tell a long story, but either way that’s my answer. Hahahaha. Hope you enjoyed it!
Derek
Derek Woods Photography 