We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Viki Stark a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Viki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Sometimes when I’m at my day job I stop and consider if maybe I would have benefited from going to a school out of my hometown, and really immersed myself into some photography/ art program. I’m sure it would’ve given me a different life, but I am truly grateful for the chaos of my teens and 20’s. I really went through a lot in a short amount of time and grew because of it. I know who I am now because I fought so hard to be here.
I paid cash for my Associate’s degree and because of that I worked multiple jobs and long days-15 hour days were a constant for me. I barely remember the work but I absolutely remember the incredible people: the regulars, the co workers, the bosses, and the connections. They taught me how to appreciate being present and enjoy simple moments. They taught me that even if our encounter was fleeting, their memory isn’t. And isn’t that like a photograph? A quick moment immortalized. Everything I have learned has been through regular people who are just trying to find happiness like we all are. I’m self taught in technique but the inspiration is, and has always been, constantly around me in the people I have been lucky enough to meet.

I think for me, the biggest obstacle is getting out of my own way and reminding myself I am capable of working hard for what I want. Even though I have wonderful and supportive people in my life, I am ultimately the only one that’s going to make that happen for myself. Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself and give it everything you have.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a photographer based out of West Michigan that really loves to create a safe space for people to lean into their most creative self. I try to blend aspects of surrealism with nostalgia to provide a way to step into a fantasy world full of color. It is super important to me that people feel comfortable and welcome for their photo session and I love working with people of all different levels of modeling/posing experience. Everyone is so special and beautiful in their unique way and I love helping people feel powerful and enough in their own skin, I am so honored to be a part of the process that gives them a way to see what a work of art they are.

I suppose I got my start as a pretty avid daydreamer. I couldn’t focus on schoolwork as a kiddo but had no problem covering my assignments in short stories and doodles. Even though I loved to escape through art I surprisingly took very few art classes. I did however have a deep love of theater- my mother really loves Shakespeare and in addition, my grandfather volunteered as a lighting tech at the Frauenthal theater in downtown Muskegon. I attended many musicals and plays in my childhood and because of this I started taking choir classes and working on plays in middle school and high school. I really grew up in the theater world and learned quickly that I loved being a part of putting the sets and costumes together and I really think that carries over to my photography. Some of my favorite parts of photo sessions are the planning stages where I can really fantasize about what I want the pictures to look like-different shots and details. Where are these subjects located? What are they up to? What needs to be in the shot, structure or item wise to convey the vibe we are trying to achieve.
Sometimes it can be really in depth planning and preparing and sometimes it can be as simple as grabbing a backdrop and putting it in nature somewhere- it’s all about the story you’re trying to tell and I love the versatility of photography for that, any art form really!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Last year after lusting after a specific studio space for 5 years I realized the time was then or never and I took out a $3,000 loan from my 401k. I bought a new camera, 6 months of rent at the studio, and a burger at Culvers to celebrate. I saw it as a grant to myself to see if I could make anything happen by having a designated space to create. I am really grateful to my job for that resource, the chance that offered me. I’m not sure if I will ever want to be a full time photographer honestly. I like having it as my little secret world where I can dive in when I need to re center. Right now it is fun and low pressure and a dream come true- cant beat it!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Its only within the last year or so I’ve challenged myself to even say out loud that I am an artist. I’ve always struggled with ownership of that, like I’m undeserving of that title. At the same time I believe a part of being human is that you try to find a way to express the emotions of being alive which is what art is- so everyone is an artist. Its a really beautiful way we are all connected as humans.

I think those connections are what is most rewarding for me, I get to meet so many amazing people all the time. I love hearing their stories and I feel so honored when someone asks me to plan a photo session to help them feel their most powerful self. Like what an incredible gift people give me, by trusting me with that. I don’t think Ill ever get over how cool that is!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vstarkphotos.wixsite.com/letsgetcreative
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vstarkphotos/

Image Credits
Thank you to all the amazing models in these photos!