Interview With Pirate Photography

by Cary

Kitten, aka Pirate Photography, a 20 year old alternative photographer based in Lincolnshire, UK.

What inspired you to pick up a camera?

Before I picked up a camera, I used to dance. I loved to dance, but when I started university it made attending the classes a lot harder, and I was suffering with a recurring back injury, so I decided that I had to find a new hobby. I've always loved photography, and as I can't draw or paint, I decided I'd give it a go! I asked a friend, know known as the model Lady Wildflower, if she would be interested in having me take some photos of her in a Gothic style, and it all went from there.

What particular challenges do you face with erotic photography as opposed to other genres?

I think the biggest problem generally is finding models. I've been incredibly lucky in that I've convinced some of my beautiful friends to model for me who have now all gone onto model for others too, people like Lady Wildflower, Lolly and Sammi. A lot of models are weary of shooting with new photographers because of bad experiences with photographers, or people contacting them for shoots in inappropriate manners. Again, I've been lucky with that as being female, female models have tended to immediately feel more comfortable with me because they know I've seen it all before and I don't have a reason to take their photo for any reason other than art.

Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?

At the moment, I've only ever shot with film. I'm a full time university student which tends to translate as being pretty skint. I do own two 35mm cameras and I'm planning on starting to experiment with them this year as I adore black and white film. Theres certain textures and contrasts that you get with film that you just can't replicate with digital and thats what I like about it.

How did you become interested in fetish/BDSM?

I've always had a more alternative view of life, I've listened to punk and ska since I was a young child and as I got older I got more into the punk scene while my friends became goth. It gave me a great insight into the fashion side of fetish and as my interest in that grew I joined deviantart.com and found the most beautiful sights of bondage, latex and domination. I immediately fell in love and began researching all these fetishes. At about 15 I discovered Bettie Page, rest in peace, whose images have been a huge inspiration. She shows this great, fun side of fetish, theres nothing seedy as people would typically expect. Deviantart became a huge place of interest for me and I'm still addicted to the site. When I was 18 I met a man who showed me everything I'd always been so curious about and that was it, my love of fetish was complete.

Do you enjoy fetishism/BDSM play in your personal life, and if so what are you into?

For me, I don't think I could shoot fetish imagery if I wasn't personally involved in it. I think that if you shoot fetish you should be a part of it, you should enjoy it and share that passion in your art. I love latex, bondage, transvestitism, extreme corsetry and heels, being submissive, gags, medical equipment, pvc, ,spanking, stockings and suspenders and much more!

Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?

I think both yes and no. While people like Dita Von Teese have become mainstream celebrities, and pop singers are wearing latex, I still don't think fetish at least will ever be truly mainstream. Wearing latex in a pop video doesn't mean that a singer is interested in fetish, they simply want to wear a sexy, possibly controversial outfit. Pinup may well end up as a normal fashion, its sexy, glamourous and very flattering for all body types so it has a place, but too many people don't understand fetish, and are too close-minded to ever understand it so it won't be accepted. People assume that anyone who likes pain must have mental issues, even though it has been scientifically proven that pain can release endorphins that are similar to pleasure responses.

Are there any other creative mediums you work in?

I occasionally write poetry, but not so much now. My photography is where my passion lies. I've always been interested in fashion design, but my inability to draw means I can't really expand on that.

What kind of music do you like?

I listen to all sorts! My favourites are rock, ska and country, but I also enjoy more rocky pop, metal, punk and cheesy 80s pop, with some J-rock and dance thrown in there too. my favourite bands and singers at the moment are Taylor Swift, a young country singer whose really popular in the US, Stone Sour, Mad Caddies and Save Ferris. I also love musicals, so I listen to a lot of their soundtracks lol, which does tend to ruin whatever rock and roll image people might have of me because of my love of fetish!

What do you like to do for fun?

I'm a huge fan of films, so I spend a lot of time with my partner watching films, and tv series like Angel, Star Trek: Next Generation, House and Scrubs. I love nights in the pub, though I am currently teetotal, and watching football. I'm a Liverpool FC supporter so the premier league is really exciting for me at the moment! But of course, the main thing I love to do is take photos, if I haven't got a shoot I'm planning them, thinking of themes, or harassing the cat to let me take photos of it!

See more of Pirate Photography at:

www.myspace.com/piratephotographypoetry

http://www.piratephotography.deviantart.com

http://www.modelmayhem.com/piratephotography