Photo Diary: Remy Smith
@dreamboy_cath
SULTRY AND POWERFUL - Remy Smith’s photography demands the viewer’s attention with just one glance. Bringing her interest in film photography, set design and styling along with sex education, Smith has shaped an empowering style for herself and her subjects. Her latest series features dreamy polaroid portraits, each with a unique feel. Read below to learn more about Smith’s work and view her polaroids.
@goingairplaneemojipublic, @dreamboy_cath
@goingairplaneemojipublic
LUNA: How did you get into film photography to begin with?
SMITH: Originally out of necessity to be creative. I had graduated school with a film degree I wasn’t using and a friend gifted me an old film camera to mess around with. I began shooting portraits of friends, toting my camera around with me everywhere I went. At the same time, I was sort of floundering--trying to get film work and deepening my love of creating sets, styling, and props while simultaneously considering a career in sex education. I think my style grew out of a love of both these things. I want to create photos in a meaningful way that can be artistic and expressive for me while also helping people get into their bodies and feel sexy and powerful.
@ciara.zo
@ciara.zo
LUNA: Are there any influences or references you have in mind when creating?
SMITH: I’m always thinking about ’70s-’80s era porno/erotic magazines when I create, and I love invoking a fetishy BDSM aesthetic in my work often. at the same time, I'm heavily influenced by the glamour of music I love, like rock & roll and disco. When I'm able to combine those things, or when a subject really vibes with certain aspects in conversations we have prior to the shoot, we can focus in on those aspects. either way I always research and conceptualize an idea with plenty of influences first, so everyone working on the shoot has a good idea of the goal.
LUNA: How do you get your models comfortable, especially when they're nude?
SMITH: I always make it a part of my process to talk with my models before shooting about what they are comfortable with before the shoot. I mean that in all aspects-- their own body, their pronouns, any identities/labels, words that are positive/or negative so that when I refer to the person or their body I can do it correctly. I think every photographer needs to have those kinds of conversations prior to shooting, regardless of if it’s a nude shoot or not.
@goingairplaneemojipublic
My shoots are pretty intimate, usually it’s just me and the subject present. I make sure we have private changing spaces, bathrooms, robes, etc available throughout the entire process. besides that, I always play music for the model that’s like their ~sexy playlist~ to help get them into the right headspace for the shoot, and I let myself be silly making jokes, giving advice, gassing up my models, or putting my camera down to show them how to do a certain pose I need.
LUNA: Can you share more about the creative process for this series?
SMITH: My polaroid journey began when I was preparing to do an art show my friend Analissia puts on. I had the idea to create a polaroid series to show and sell at the show while also doing an onsite photo booth of sorts. at the art show, I had an entire room with props, lingerie, etc. available to have mini boudoir sessions where people could take home photos of them, their friends, and lovers. from there the polaroids just sort of worked their way into being a part of my sessions (which are typically a mix of digital and film), I always take time to snap at least a couple instant film photos of all of my subjects.
@thereallisastirling
@thereallisastirling
LUNA: What do you like about shooting with polaroids?
SMITH: Everyone looks good on polaroid!! That part of it makes my job easy. There’s also the immediacy of the format that is fun and spontaneous. I love that it’s instantly able to be in your hand. people can walk away with a little piece of the shoot, something to hang up in their room or give to a lover.
@hayley_powers
@satinelabelle
LUNA: How would you like to see your work evolve?
SMITH: I think that a lot of my goals are based on just reaching people, working with people that could benefit from doing an intimate photoshoot. Ultimately, I just want to help as many people as I can to see themselves as sexy and powerful beings. I would like to continue working with more queer people and be able to capture queer love and sex on camera. I want to eventually be shooting more erotic and kink stuff as well.
@dreamboy_cath
LUNA: What advice do you have for those wanting to get into more ~daring~ photography but might not feel as comfortable?
SMITH: I would say that both as a photographer and a model, you have to just sort of tap into what you know about yourself, your body, sex, and the power that all that holds. you have to push past the shame that society tries to engrain in all of our minds about the body and sexual pleasure. I think if you have the desire to create erotic/intimate art — you should. you can start by collaborating with friends you trust (even if that means just throwing on some cool lights and shooting on an iPhone) or even shooting self-portraits in your room. Maybe you book a shoot and you don’t share the photos with anyone at first, maybe it’s just for you. Also, remember that not every ~daring~ photoshoot has to include nudity. Maybe your daring moment is sharing a part of yourself or life you have longed to share but felt you couldn’t. At the end of the day you have to decide what’s more important to you: pursuing something you want, living freely and openly or the fear of not doing that?
LUNA: Is there anything you want people to take away from your work?
SMITH: The main thing I want people to take away from my work is that there is power in sexuality. There’s power in owning your desire, prioritizing your pleasure, and claiming your space. There’s no shame in having a body, showing it off, or doing with it what you please — all bodies are good just the way they are. I want people to look at my work and think —I can relate to that, I can be sexy or sexual or have sex however often and with whoever I want and that is o k a y, and beautiful even.
