With her background in fine arts, Marquita Norwoods’ self portraiture is beautiful, intimate and sensuous. However she is no one trick pony and her conceptual work shows flair and vision. Here she gives us a glimpse of what drives her.

You and your photography

Can you tell us a bit about yourself – where you work, where you live?
I’m 23 years old. I live in Denver, Colorado, United States. I graduated from university in 2006 with of Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I emphasized in painting and illustration.

How long have you been shooting and what attracted you to photography as a medium?
I’ve only been involved in photography for a short time. Less than a year I would say. I took a film photography class in uni for about 4 months, but my interest in photography wasn’t initiated until this past summer, with digital photography. It started as, and continues as a personal project on developing my aesthetic and growing as a human being and artist.

How were you taught?
As mentioned above, I took a film photography class in university briefly, and learned some of the basics in terms of using analog, and everything that I know now about digital photography is through my own discovery via other photographers and the internet

How often do you shoot. Commercially? Portfolio work? Just for the hell of it?
I am not a professional photographer or student, so I am able to shoot on my own time, whenever I want really. Sometimes I get into modes where I want to shoot incessantly, and sometimes, I don’t even touch my camera.

Which photographers have you found inspirational?
I don’t want to be picky with names, because many different kinds of photographers inspire me, including those who are not professional. I find work that speaks for itself, and is able to exhibit personality, concept and pure beauty without trying to hard I have always found inspirational. I have always been attracted to the concept of ‘less is more.’

Photography in general

Do you feel that photography is an artform?

Yes I do. Every art form uses certain tools to convey expression, concept and personal emotions. Photography is no different. The camera is the way in which a creator showcases his/her personal ideas. In my opinion, it’s less about the machine capturing the image and more about what the artist finds beauty in and makes a conscious choice to capture. That’s what separates an artist from a person just taking a picture of something, intention.

What is the most important aspect of a photograph for you?

Lighting and framing. To me, these two aspects can make or break a composition. Being innovative with the two can make your image stand apart from the rest or blend in with the rest.

How long did it take you to find your own style? How would you define it or how do you feel about the work you
produce?
Since I have only been involved in photography for a short period, I wouldn’t say that I have an established style as of yet. I am still experimenting and growing, however, all my work is very personal, primarily because they are self portraits. I would define them as being candid and revelatory without displaying much.

How do you feel about nudity in photography?
Considering that most of my work revolves around nudity, I feel incredibly comfortable about nudity in photography and in general. I’ve learned, more so through my photography, that the human body is something to be celebrated not ashamed of, and I hope that is conveyed through my photographs.

How do you feel about photography and expression of sexuality?
I support it to the fullest. I don’t believe people should be ashamed of their bodies or their sexuality. I know from personal experience how it feels to hide in a corner and not feel comfortable in my own skin or with discussing topics that are intrinsically human. Having now known how rewarding it is to be comfortable discussing and expressing sexuality and nudity, I would never back down from supporting it.

The Shoot
Do you plan your shoot or do you improvise it? Why?
Sometimes I plan because an idea comes to my head, and being that I am a painter/illustrator, I will sketch down certain ideas, so I don’t forget them, and having a visual documentation helps me maintain the original concept I had in mind. I also improvise at times. Perhaps I have an idea and it doesn’t turn out the way I had hoped, and then I play along with other ideas. You can’t predict what will happen, so you have to go with the flow of things, because sometime even your own creations have minds of their own.

We know you as a photographer specialising in self portraiture, have you been shot by someone else? How did it compare?
I have been shot by someone else, and I’ve realized when I compare being a model, being both model and photographer and shooting someone else entirely, that I prefer being behind the camera. I enjoyed being shot by someone else, because I am always curious as to what s/he will bring out of me as a model and I do like being a part of another’s creation, however, I feel more contributing, passionate and in control when I am the photographer. Because I am an artist, I like having direct control on how the photography elements coalesce, that being, framing, composition, lighting etc. I don’t have that control as a model, so I feel slightly more apprehensive, but I think the success of a photograph is not only dependent upon the obvious elements, but on how comfortable the model is with his/her photographer.

Have you shot other models at any point? Would you like to in the future?
I have shot other models, but not NEARLY as much as I would like to. While I find self portraiture rewarding, I would really like to focus on shooting other people.

When a shoot is finished, what do you try and take from it? Do you generally feel you’ve got what set out to achieve?

I usually feel satisfied after shooting. It doesn’t always turn out the way I had hoped. Sometimes better, sometimes worse, but the only thing I am ever trying to achieve with my work is a matter of personal expression. I think any artist knows, it’s difficult trying to harbor several ideas and emotions, sometimes they just need to be released cathartically and as long as I’ve done that, I am satisfied.

Where can we see you

How do you find the internet as an advertising medium?

I owe a lot to the internet. It has it’s downsides, but so does everything. If it weren’t for the ability to showcase my work on the net, especially for free or at a low cost, I wouldn’t have the relative exposure that I do currently. I love connecting with people, especially artists and particularly from across the globe, so I support the internet largely for artistic advertising.

Have you any up coming projects that you are especially looking forward to?

I don’t have anything that is set in stone currently, but I would like to start working with photography as an art therapy. Given how powerful the influence has been on myself, in regards to my attitude towards my own body and nudity in general, I would like to work with people, who have the same issues I once had, and create beautiful work that is also very personal and helps the model evolve into a individual who can appreciate his or her own body.

Anything else to declare

Anything missed you feel is important?
I feel, having been involved with this personal project of self portraiture for some months now, that self portraits aren’t so largely appreciated as they should be. I’m glad to be a part of this magazine that is in support of such work, however I think many people may find self work boring because the subject at hand is repetitious, however there are many facets of a single human being to be revealed and discovered. I may not continue with self portraiture as prolifically as I have been, in the future, but it is something that I find truly rewarding and I think every artist should at least experiment with.

See more of Marquita’s work at here website and on deviantart