|
Interview
by Edo Q ©
2009 CoverMen
Mag!
November, 2009
-Hello
Scott, I am really flattered you accepted to be interviewed
for CoverMen Mag!, just to start this interview off,
please give me some brief background information.
I was born and raised in California
and spent my youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. After
High School I went to Cosmetology School and became
a hair stylist. I worked for many years doing hair and
make up. Although I loved my work, I was always itching
to do something more. 11 years ago I moved to
Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment
industry. I worked as a photo retoucher at a hi-end
photo lab on Melrose, started to take photography more
seriously as a hobby.
-What got you interested
in photography?
I started as a hobby
really. I would shoot photos of some local models
when I lived in San Francisco and fell in love with
photography. During my years in the entertainment industry
I was lucky enough to get to be around and become
friends with some really amazing photographers. I would
watch and learn. That is how I do everything-
by watching. I am not much for reading a book
or taking a class on something. I would rather jump
in and figure it out.
Did you take
any courses or did you go to a school to learn photography?
No
never. I did take a film class at the UC Berkeley extension
but other than that I learned by doing. Trial
and error.
-What
are the common elements of your photography style? How
would you describe your shooting style? 
My
style is very casual and fun. I do not plan shoots out
too much, I prefer to figure it out as I go along.
Of course I have some shots that I love to do,
but for the most part I like to wait and see what looks
good to me and photograph it. I love natural light and
use it almost 100% of the time. I would go insane if
I had to spend hours setting up one shot.
-What are your favorite
subjects to photograph?
Well obviously from
my work- men. I like to make men look sexy but always
classy. I am not really into raunchy. Don't get me wrong,
some photographers have an amazing eye and can really
create some highly erotic photos, but I tend to like
to leave something to the imagination. I do not try
and put a label on my work. I don't shoot "gay",
not that that is a bad thing, but I want men and women
to look at my work and enjoy it.
-How do you compare shooting in
the studio to on location – any preference?
Location
always. I have shot in hotels and done some studio work
but I prefer to walk around and catch the light - I
love shadows and light.
-How do you feel about digitally
enhancing photos and to what extent do you utilize it?
I
use Photoshop to color correct or to remove blemishes,
etc. I am not a fan of recreating someone digitally
but that is just my taste for how I shoot. I know some
photographers that utilize digital techniques a great
deal in their work and I still love their photographs.
Whatever it takes to get the final product in the end
is what counts. A simpler approach works for me.
-You
are a very successful photographer, do you have any
advice to photographers starting out in the fashion
industry? 
Follow your passion and do what
makes you happy. If someone likes it and wants to pay
your for your work- great! I like faces and bodies.
Some people like highly stylized fashion shoots. I went
into this career to show my point of view, not to be
everything to everyone. I like what I do and think I
do it well. I think finding your niche is important
and then hone your skills and make money at it. If you
love what you do most likely someone else will as well.
-Please
share with me some of your recent and upcoming projects...
Well
I have been working tirelessly on my first photography
book. It has been a labor of love but also has caused
me many sleepless nights. I am so critical of
myself I keep editing it and re-editing it over and
over and over until my eyes are crossed! I have decided
to do a series of books instead of one big one. I have
photographs that follow a theme so I will be doing these
as a series. Hopefully I will have the first one done
when people read this :) More information
will be available on my website, www.scotthoover.biz.
-Tell
me about your professional plans: apart from still photography,
what else would you like to pursue or are you already
pursuing?
I am doing what I love. I am never
satisfied and always need constant stimulation
and new ideas to keep work exciting for me. That is
why I love photography so much and have finally
found my "passion", every day is different
and each model is unique and I am constantly learning
something new.
-Thanks again
Scott for taking your time to answer my questions, it
was a gift to me and my readers!
|
