Interview
Kate Bellm
Last March, we released Others Magazine Print Issue 2 with an interview & cover of the extremely talented Kate Bellm, we wanted to share the interview from the print with you to celebrate the release of the highly anticipated LA ISLA in collaboration with Frank Rocholl and Mirage Magazine. You can order your copy on Kate Bellm or Mirage Magazine’s website. Discover below the story, influences and creativity of Kate Bellm in the interview below. Enjoy!
What was your first job? How did you develop your skills as a photographer?
My first jobs were actually insane... at 16 years old I assisted shooting the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace for the new 20 dollar note of Canada and then as soon as I left school I went for a 10 day TRIP to South Carolina with my best friend Margo Stilley to shoot Harley biker gangs there for Esquire... started strong!
When and where are you the most creative?
I am most creative with my friends in nature.. usually road tripping or underwater, something were we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and go on a wild adventure.
When you’re working, do you rely primarily on your intuition? Or your process is more intellectual? more emotional?
I am a very intuitive photographer just reacting off the moment and energy... I rarely have an intellectual concept behind my photos.
Which keys elements must be present for you when you are creating?
Just good energy between me and the model.
Has your eye changed over the years?
Yes it has changed so much, 10 years ago I was obsessed with done up luxury girls with red lips and shiny hair, now I am all about the most natural girls I can find who give zero fucks.
“I’ve decided to ONLY follow my creative impulses. I shoot what I love and I don’t do it for any magazine or for anyone but myself and the model, so I feel like my creative moves are all pretty personal at this point in my career ”
You have photographed in many countries, how much do you think places affect your photographs?
I used to think I needed to travel to become inspired and I have travelled extensively for my whole life. This year I have finally found myself staying in the same place for the entire year and I have to say my creativity is extremely strong from this moment of settled life and really connecting and feeling inspired by everything that is around me on this wonderful island rather than looking elsewhere for inspiration.
In terms of how your work evolves from series to series, what’s the balance between making strategic career choice versus relying on your purely creative desires?
I’ve decided to ONLY follow my creative impulses. I shoot what I love and I don’t do it for any magazine or for anyone but myself and the model, so I feel like my creative moves are all pretty personal at this point in my career as I’ve changed my pattern from shooting for brands to making my own books and selling prints through my online shop which means I have more freedom to shoot what I want.
Can you tells us a little bit about your new (upcoming) book?
My new book LA ISLA is coming out in a few months (interview was made in March 2021, the book is now available), its the dreamiest images shot on the island of Mallorca, Spain and since I’ve been here for the last year I’ve been extremely inspired by this island and been finding every little beach, rock, girl to shoot. I want to show the beauty of a life with less and a life revolving around nature and the ocean. I am making it in collaboration with Mirage Magazine editor Frank Rocholl and I am very excited about this project. I’ve been experimenting with shooting 8mm this year so there is also some short videos coming out alongside it.
Which lens do you prefer?
35mm
How did you make this image? (See below)
This image was a magic moment, we drove the boat out to the middle of the ocean super far from any land at sunset, we were between Majorca and Ibiza at this point, I got the girls to dive in off the of the boat at the same time to make the funnels of bubbles behind them, I waited in the deep ocean alone and its definitely a strange feeling to be all alone in the deep deep ocean.
