In the Spotlight | Meg Wachter

This week in our In the Spotlight series we take a look at Brooklyn photographer Meg Wachter’s portfolio, which is full of entertaining and beautiful images that prominently feature her borough.  Join me for a conversation with the artist.  

Hi Meg, how are things going out in Brooklyn?
Things are surprisingly well. For once, I feel secure as a freelancer despite our economic troubles.

A friend pointed me in the direction of your work a while back and I was thoroughly entertained by looking through the “Dumped” series.  How did that come about?  Did you recruit friends or strangers?
“Dumped” came about from the depths of my random brain. I recruited my awesome friends and roommates to participate in the project with promise of food and booze. It was a fun (and extremely messy) shoot, but everyone is super excited with the outcome.

   

What sort of training did you have as a means to get into photography?
I’ve been messing around with photography since I was a teen, but had formal training at Ohio University’s School of Visual Communications. There I received a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Photography. From there I headed to New York, more or less. I’ve always been a self-starter and cannot say enough about the importance of self-promotion and networking. And, it helps a little, to have some talent.

What inspires you when you get behind the camera?
The act of creating or capturing something–whether it be planned or serendipitous–and to share how I view the world, or create it otherwise is what inspires me. 

I think my favorite series from your portfolio is “Beautiful Decay”.  How do you find locations for shots like that?
I had access to an abandoned Catholic school deep in Brooklyn and went there on 2 separate occasions with 9 months in between each visit–I found out about it through a friend. The state of decay was appalling and mesmerizing. 

Does your photography have a special relationship with Brooklyn aside from the fact that you live there?
You know I never really considered that until you mention it, but yes. Moving to Brooklyn definitely jump-started my motivation to shoot after a dry spell of inspiration. 80% of my current projects have been shot or conceived here.  It is an amazing culturally diverse and proactive artistic community.

What’s on the horizon for Ms. Wachter? 
I just completed and am finalizing a book of my series, Dumped! Stay tuned…