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Brigham Field
My inspiration to pursue photography came in light of the events of September 11, 2001. I was living in downtown Manhattan at the time, just one mile from the World Trade Center. Like so many New Yorkers and others around the world, my life shifted on that fateful day....

Let's start from the end. Before becoming a top photographer you have done many other things, somehow related but still very different. Model, creative director… now photographer… what next? Or is photography what you would like to do for the foreseeable future? I began my photography career just two years ago. I hope it is just beginning. With each photo-shoot, I get a little bit closer to realizing my vision. The work is mostly about portraying ultimate beauty. That's what I strive for. I'm dedicated to pursuing this vision, and it gives me a profound sense of personal fulfillment. I believe that the celebration and expression of our beauty is a way of giving thanks for being human. It enriches the fabric of human culture.

Eventually, I would like to run my own publishing company, applying my professional experience in design & marketing. I want to continue to create & market products that promote creativity and enrich society. To me, this is both the function of art, and an exciting personal goal.

Are you a full time photographer or, as we think we understand, photography is just one (even if very important) of the many aspects of very creative life? I'm a full-time photographer. I shoot fashion editorial and I also invest a lot of time and energy in my website, gODDESS ~ www.beautyisdivine.com. I'm working towards publishing a book; a collection of stunning, intimate portraits of feminine beauty from around the world.

How did you get involved with photography? How did you start? My inspiration to pursue photography came in light of the events of September 11, 2001. I was living in downtown Manhattan at the time, just one mile from the World Trade Center. Like so many New Yorkers and others around the world, my life shifted on that fateful day. Being so close to this tragedy caused my sense of security to shatter. In turn, this opened my mind to new possibilities and a strong desire to pursue my dreams. Shortly thereafter, I was working on a project with the United Nations when I was first introduced to the photography of Sebastiao Salgado. I was moved and deeply inspired by Salgado's striking images and tragic images of the beauty amidst great struggle of humanity. From this moment, I knew I had to master the art of photography.

How difficult was it for you to build a name in a very competitive and crowded world like the one of professional fashion photographers? Building a name in a competitive market requires strong marketing skills. Fortunately, I already had 12 years of experience in marketing and brand development before I began taking pictures. If you want to succeed as a photographer, you have to think like an artist, and act like a marketer.

What is photography to you? A job, a passion, a way to express your creativity, none of the above or maybe a little bit of everything? I consider photography a way of life. Photography as a lifestyle requires many sacrifices, yet it is one that bears great reward for those who persevere. As an artist, I see photography as a medium for social change. It's a visual language that has the power to change the way we see the world and our place in it. This is important to me, because I want so much to have a positive influence on the world. I think photography speaks, without words, directly to the heart of popular culture.

Where are you based? I'm based in Los Angeles and New York, but travel has become an integral part of my existence. This year I'll be working in Brazil, Central and Western Europe, Russia and the United States.

Film or digital? (old question, but it is surprising to see how many young photographes still work with film, so until we will get mixed answers we will keep asking this question) I began shooting exclusively digital in 2004. Digital unlocks the door to creative possibility by offering speed, efficiency, flexibility, and control that is unmatched by film. With the introduction of the latest generation of full-frame 35mm SLR cameras, like the 13 megapixel Canon EOS 5D, the debate over the quality of digital vs. film can finally be laid to rest. Affordable 35mm digital now has a significant advantage in terms of image resolution and quality. The digital revolution is well underway. It's exciting to see the way digital is changing the world of photography. I can only imagine the technology we'll have available in five years. I look forward to it!

Is there something that is still missing in your photographer career? Something you would really like to achieve before you decide to move to something different? I would like to continue to shoot more fashion editorial and other magazine work focused on beauty. Also, I look forward to publishing my first book. Ultimately, my goal is to reach a larger and broader audience with my work.

How has the internet affected and influenced your career? Is the web changing the way photographers not only work but also interact with potential customers, other photographers, models By using technology in innovative ways, photographers and artists get an edge over the competition in this increasingly crowded global market. Before becoming a photographer, I spent many years designing websites and online marketing for global corporations, so for me the web was the easiest way to develop the market for my work. I created my website, gODDESS (www.beautyisdivine.com) with this goal in mind. Through my site, I have the opportunity to promote and sell my photography directly to individuals who are interested in my work, in almost every country around the world. Selling 'direct-to-consumer' gives a photographer an incredible degree of artistic freedom. Instead of shooting what clients demand, you can shoot according to your own unique vision and then find the market for your work. This represents a major leap forward for the independent artist. The web has also made the network of photographers, editors and models much more globally connected. The web is making the world of photography smaller, more connected, and more universally accessible.

Talking about models, you have recently launched a new, quite intriguing, website. Its name is gODDESS and its address is www.beautyisdivine.com This original site feature fashion models, some of them extremely beautiful, in a different, more sexy yet elegant way. Please tell us something more about this project, how it started, where it is going… The goal of gODDESS is to present an image of feminine beauty and sensuality in a positive light. The style of work on the site is best described as 'fashion nude'. Avant-garde contemporary fashion photography is the stylistic influence behind gODDESS. However, the focus is on beauty, rather than fashion. I started the site because I wanted to create a venue to showcase my work, and that of other photographers around the world who create exceptional, beautiful work in this genre.

The member's area of gODDESS includes galleries of my work, interviews and galleries from other top photographers, and behind-the-scenes information from my shoots and castings. I also sell fine art prints and other products on gODDESS. I'm developing a new feature that will enable gODDESS members to choose any images they like on the website and then create fully-customized glossy photography books, made to order. Most of my members are photographers and artists themselves; people who appreciate both fine photography and feminine beauty.

I donate 10% of the profits from gODDESS to organizations that are working to end the global epidemic of sexual violence against women and girls. As I celebrate feminine beauty, I feel a great social and artistic responsibility to acknowledge the fact that women are objectified and subjected to violence around the world every single day simply because of their sex. We owe it to society to do something about this.

In the future, I hope to also publish a book or a series of book titled gODDESS, which I'll promote and sell through my site as well as other venues.

How has this new project been received in the fashion community? gODDESS has been well received in the fashion community, particularly in Europe. GQ Germany gave us a great review last year, which opened the door to other web and magazine reviews and print editorial.

Again talking about models. What should a model have in order to attract your interest? And how does your scouting work? How can a model, if interested, contact you and what should she have in order to have a chance of working with you? I work primarily with fashion agencies and their models. However, I'm always open to working with new faces. Models can contact me by email at: editor@beautyisdivine.com

What is in your opinion the right order of importance when trying to produce a great photo shoot? The look of the model, her attitude, the photographer, the styling, hair & makeup, the location, the equipment I always consider the beauty of the model to be of the greatest importance. But to me, beauty is much more than just a look. It's a spirit…an attitude, a way of being and moving through life. Of course, every element of a production is essential. After the model, in order of importance, I'd say: hair & makeup, location (or a great studio), and styling. Equipment is of the least importance. You can do a lot with creative ideas, a great team and a $10 point-and-shoot camera.

Is there a mistake (professionally speaking) you would not repeat if you had the chance to start your career from the very beginning knowing what you know now? There's so much to look forward to that's there's no time to look back!

Thank you

february 2006