Diane Lynn is a portrait photographer from Los Angeles. Although she photographs a variety of portraits, the majority of her work focuses on the duality of feminine energy. She embraces her own light and shadow through the photos that she creates. She also enjoys photographing fellow artists and capturing their essence in a way that also complements their own artistic style.
Here is our interview with Diane. We also shot with Diane a few months ago. See more photos here.
Photo for The House of Red Velvet.
1.Why do you make this type of art?
I create with photography because I love being able to capture an image as I see it. I both enjoy setting up a scene and manipulating light in order to create an idea that I have in my head as well as capturing what’s already available but in my own perspective. I’m naturally a very observant person and I feel like a camera is a tool that helps me be even more observant and aware of what’s happening around me. I’m also very detail oriented, so I notice things like the way light hits something, shadows, patterns, or a specific look that someone might have, and with the click of a button I can capture that.
2. Did you always want to be an artist?
Yes, ever since I took my first photography class and I saw photography as an art form for the first time. It was a different world from that of painting and drawing.
3. Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what is on your playlist?
I listen to music most of the time. I listen to playlists with a mix of post-punk, dark wave, and new wave such as Bauhaus, Chelsea Wolfe, Twin Tribes, Boy Harsher, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, to name a few . Sometimes I listen to true crime podcasts like Morbid and Crime Junkie. However, I also sometimes find myself in complete silence when I’m editing. Call me crazy, but I really do enjoy the silence.
The Moon for a Tarot deck. From Diane’s latest project.
4. Who are your biggest influences?
Various artists that create dark dreamscapes are a huge influence, but at the moment, I really enjoy the art of Nona Limmen. Her images are like they’re from a dream-borderlining-nightmare world that you don’t want to wake up from. Other artists that have influenced me throughout my life are Robert Mapplethorpe, Francesca Woodman, Philippe Halsman, and of course my friends that encourage me to keep going.
5. What has been a seminal experience?
The day that I discovered that I could develop my own film was a life changing moment for me. I enjoyed walking in the dark room and smelling the scent of chemicals as images were emerging on paper. It seemed like a fascinating mix of science and magic. This was back in high school and I remember that as being the day that I decided I wanted to try photography and I never looked back.
6. Name something you love (anything) and why.
Cats and chocolate. Besides the fact that cats are absolutely adorable, I love how independent they are. They don’t constantly seek attention and they don’t show their affection to just anyone, they have to feel safe and build a bond before they do. I feel like I can relate to that. Chocolate is just delicious and I do like to live deliciously.
