I’m still looking to strip this artifice

Featuring Emily Lipson Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Movement is a significant part of Emily's practice from the earlier days of her work to now. Using the lens as her tool, Emily finds movement and connection as two key factors in making an image. Emily speaks about moving to NY from Chicago, the motivation the city brought her, and about the importance of being authentic.

Emily Lipson is a fashion photographer from Brooklyn, NY. She has graduated from UPENN with a BA in Visual Studies, and today is a Visuals Editor at W Magazine. Emily published work with Teen Vogue, Office, Allure, Dazed, Vice, and other online magazines.

‘I really dig people that you can tell could care less about how others see them’

Hi Emily, we’re so happy to have you on our mag! What are you planning to do today? 

Doing some photo research for an upcoming beauty story, building budgets for a few projects in December, and getting a call sheet out for a shoot in London.

Is it the way your usual day looks like? Could you walk us through your routine? 

I usually wake up late and run across the street to get a coffee and pastry at a local bakery in Williamsburg.

You graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Visual Studies with a B.A degree. What was your final year project’s theme?

I actually made a video art installation mounted on iPads. It was cool but looking back, very different from my work now. I don’t do a ton of work in movement/video anymore. I was exploring the concept of posthumanism in performance art, and the notion that dance could be a solution to the effects of posthumanism. In other words, in today’s society of phones, screens, and DMs, my thesis was that movement can make people connect in this very genuine, and primitive way - it helps us strip a layer of artifice in our day to day communication. I guess, in my work now, I’m still looking to strip this artifice. I still aim to make images that feel real, and are somehow rooted in connection.

There is an ongoing conversation about removing likes on Instagram. While some see it as a future need for a redefinition of their business model (like influencers), others embrace this change fully as an opportunity to focus on pure art and become free from a creative perspective. What is your take on this change?

I honestly don’t mind likes on instagram. It kind of helps you feel like your work is being seen and recognized. It feels good to get a response.

Turning again to social media, there is an enormous amount of available information online when only a small percentage of artists can become recognized and successful. How do you think a creator can stand out today and provide a work that has this differentiation and perhaps even is innovative?

Just silence the noise and do what you think is cool or weird or interesting. I really dig people that you can tell could care less about how others see them. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and second-guess. You can tell when people have a clear message of their own, and are bold and fearless. 

How would you describe life in New York when compared to other cities familiar to you in the US? Does it have the right components for the person to gain more opportunities or the vibes of the city that demands giving more than 100% to career development? 

So, I grew up in Chicago, and even though I love it there, it pales in comparison to the opportunities that exist in New York. Everything changed when I moved here. I became more inspired, hungrier, and more focused. The city really motivates you to do what you know you are meant to.

What was the most challenging shoot you’ve been a part of?

I was shooting for a brand on location - the weather ended up being the opposite of what we were expecting, we got a parking ticket while shooting, and my hard-drive nearly crashed while I was editing. Despite the hardships, the shoot ended up being one of my favorites to date.

What is the most inspiring decade or era in terms of aesthetics? 

The 2000s or 60s. I’m also into the 30s & 40s. Every decade has something special. Love a nod to the 90s though. The fashion was so subtle and understated. It doesn’t get better than 90s Jil Sander / Craig McDean ads.

‘I just feel like there are so many stereotypes surrounding being queer, and it’s tough when you feel like you don’t fit into them. As a photographer, I want to make images of women that break these stereotypes for myself and for others to relate to’

Which topic is important for you to explore in your photography?

The concept of queerness is a big one for me. Whether it’s shooting queer subjects or “queering” a concept, I’m just super interested in that overall. I guess I just feel like there are so many stereotypes surrounding being queer, and it’s tough when you feel like you don’t fit into them. As a photographer, I want to make images of women that break these stereotypes for myself and for others to relate to.

One of your last shoots was for Office ‘Remind me who I am’ with Sabrina Olivera. What was your main focus during the shoot from the technical perspective? 

Interesting question! My main focus was my exposure. The light was not in our favor that day. We were banking on a golden hour that never came, and the whole day was pretty cloudy. We had to really work around the sculptures to make sure there weren’t big shadows cast on people or anything. I was also switching between 3 or 4 camera bodies, so keeping track of all my film was a bit gnarly.

What are your plans for 2020, is your New Year’s Resolution ready?

To sleep more. 8 hrs is the goal. It will never happen, but I can dream.