Stories : Tahiti Huetter

I would like to introduce to you Tahiti Huetter! She and I met when I was in New York for Blogshop. She is one of the sweetest, genuine, and real gals I’ve met. I enjoyed getting to know her in New York – I felt like we were instant best friends! She will inspire you so I hope you enjoy!!

1.) Brief description about yourself
Born & raised in Hawaii, I have always had a strong love for all things visual. I grew up in a restaurant family, and as much as I love to cook (and eat), I was always drawn to fashion design and art. If I am not shooting with my “big girl” camera, I am constantly snapping pics on my iPhone to share on Instagram. Some of my favorite photos have been shot that way! I recently moved to New York City to figure out what I “really want to do in life.” Still working on that, but, in the meantime, I am continuing to practice photography. It’s kind of like yoga in a lot of ways; you can get down the basics, the movements, the poses, but only through continued practice do you become your best. It’s a never ending process that is constantly evolving. I love it.

2.) What inspired you to get into photography?
I always loved (and still do) flipping through fashion magazines and enjoyed styling friends. Soon this became something that went hand in hand. I got my first SLR camera at age 16 and haven’t put down my camera since. At first I would just take pictures of still life: landscape, sunsets, the usual. I quickly got drawn to portraiture and fashion. How I ended up shooting weddings and engagements full time, I am not sure. Haha.

3.) Did you go to school for photography? If not, how did you learn the skill?
I didn’t go to school for it, but I did have an amazing photography mentor that I met around age 17/18. He taught me how to properly set my camera, how to find the best light, and so on. He loves to tell everyone that he taught me everything I know, and I can actually agree to that! Using a camera is something any person can learn; the drive and love and “eye” is something you have to develop a little more. Some people get it and some don’t. I do not know it all and don’t think I am even fully “developed”, but I hope to be there some day.

4.) What was your first paid photography job?
It’s weird because I can’t really remember. I know it was some sort of portrait shoot, but I can only remember my first paid wedding. I actually will never forget it. It went surprisingly well considering I really didn’t know what I was doing.

5.) Do you have any advice for any photographer out there?
Don’t. Stop. Shooting. Or improving. Challenge yourself. Photograph everything! I don’t mean take pictures of every minute of your day but figure out what you like to shoot and what you shoot well. I always wanted to be a high-fashion photographer, but weddings turned out to be my thing. Photography is a never ending process. You can ALWAYS improve. Always.

6.) How do you get your name out there?
Network! Reach out to photographers you admire; be mentored by them. Second: Shoot for them! Hold their camera bag. Be open to taking free jobs that inspire you. If you meet a person you really like, photograph them! You never know where a certain connection may lead you. Put yourself out there! Oh and be kind; it takes you places.

7.) How do you want to continue to challenge yourself as a creative person?
To keep taking jobs outside of my comfort zone; shooting locations, people, and scenarios I have never done before; totally trusting my gut more and making my clients do something that seems totally wacky, but will end up beautifully. For example, I was at my friend’s wedding a few weekends ago. It was sunset; I told them to “hold each other, put your foreheads together and make each other laugh.” They of course felt super awkward and strange, but the finished image (below) came out so real. The moment was somewhat staged, but the feeling was real, and you can see that. It’s one of my favorite images to date.

8.) What are you inspired by on a daily basis?
One of my biggest challenges about being an artist (or human) is constantly comparing myself to others. I have this love-hate with other photographers and artists. I am equally inspired and depressed by others. But if you can focus on what makes you like something and try to move towards that and create your own work that you are in love with and proud of then that, in itself, is inspiring. I obviously use a lot of social media outlets and places like Pinterest to get visual inspiration. Sometimes I am inspired by a place or a song or even a dream. When I am specifically seeking inspiration, I always step back for a moment and soak in my surroundings. I also LOVE to travel, like can’t get enough of it! So anytime I am in a new place, I am immediately inspired.

      

Connect with Tahiti Huetter
Photographer | Lifestyle Blogger

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