A Polaroid Adventure with Erik Emanuelson
Ever since I picked up my first instant camera I’ve dreamed of offering Polaroids as a special add-on for portrait sessions, but the unpredictability can be nerve wracking to say the least. It’s not often that someone is willing to pay you to take their picture and be all right with the possibility that the picture might not turn out how they expected… Or at all. Two possibilities that have a pretty good chance of becoming a reality.
But when I got together with Erik Emanuelson to talk about press photos for his band, Grand Lake Islands, he was especially drawn to these mysterious qualities of Polaroid photography, and the timeless feeling they often evoke.
So, we set out for Hood River, OR and wandered the surrounding area with a car full of cameras and film. We played, basically. It was some of the most fun I’ve had since winter hit the PNW. And when I peeled apart the photos for the big reveal, never once was there an utterance of disappointment when a blob of light made its way into the frame, or when a patch of chemicals didn’t develop; just excitement over what chance had dealt us.
cara
on April 4, 2013 11:42 amso very cool. gives a really great unique look that probably complements the band's sound, if i had to guess (will check out their website next)...so glad you took the plunge.
Karina
on April 4, 2013 12:44 pmgreat photo!
Erik Hansen
on April 4, 2013 1:30 pmSo much good stuff here! I think that the next time we hire you we need to do Polaroids :)
Erik
Jasmine
on April 9, 2013 1:46 pmIt makes me ache, a little. Partially because these are so beautifully and naturally real. And partially because all my polaroid cameras are broken, and I basically gave up on them. But you're reviving this desire in me.
Kim
on April 9, 2013 1:50 pmYou know what's "funny" ? (BIG emphasis on the sarcastic marks) Initially I had told Erik that the Land Camera was the cheapest and most reliable of the bunch, but it proved the most quirky and leaky. And if that wasn't enough, I haven't been able to get even a half-usable shot from it since then! I feel your ache, sister. :[
Bria
on April 9, 2013 6:19 pmThese are amazing Kim! I'm so glad to see you kickin ass with the Polaroid cams. :-D
Anne
on April 12, 2013 5:10 pmAll of these are so great, Kim!
Juliane
on July 12, 2013 8:23 pmCame across your website by chance, love your work! Very inspiring!
Britty
on July 21, 2013 2:05 pmThese are SO rad!!