First Friday Features: Joy Butler
I decided that I really wanted to feature the self portraits this month of someone who is not only a photographer, but is also a mother. Knowing how hard it is to be a mom and take one self portrait a week for a year, Joy impresses me. She took one self portrait a DAY for a year, and each one is amazing. When I came across her incredible work, I spent way too much time scrolling from one to another to another, finding myself unable to stop! Each photo tells a story and gives you a glimpse into what was going on in her life on that particular day. Not only is her work inspiring but I was so drawn to her words. She is so real - so honest about herself and her life, and has a great sense of humor, as you will see. If you're like me, you'll find yourself thinking that you wish you could sit across from her for a chat. You can go check out more of her work on her Facebook page or her Flickr page.
You: The Person
1. How would your family and friends describe you?
Workaholic and not a chef.
2. Are you married or single? Do you have any children?
Married a man who use a pick up line ‘will you marry me?’ when we first met. We have 2 beautiful daughters who love to laugh.
("Stop and listen"... you might repeat that all the time towards your children. But how often you are really stop and listen yourself? Sometimes you will find out that wasn't as pretty as the world around you.)
3. What makes you laugh? What makes you cry?
Being with my little family, especially when they having a ‘dirty socks fight’ – put their freshly smell socks to each other noses and I usually just watch and laugh.
When I watch TV shows, movies or a talk… anything about children and their parents relationship. I will cry my eyes out. Remember in the Aussie movie – Paper Plane? When little fella called his Dad from Japan during competition, he told his Dad “everything will be ok”. And there we go…
4. What is your best physical feature? What is one that you would like to change?
I love my body, my stretch marks, my flat nose, my dark skin and that funny ear on the left. So I can’t tell you which one is the best.
I won’t change anything, because my parents gave me life and I should be proud of who I am.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself or your life, what would it be?
I would break down earlier and tell other that “I can’t do it anymore!” and put the responsibility back to them, instead of stubbornly push myself to the very limited.
("Kids are growing up so fast" you probably hear that nearly everyday if you have kids. But it's true, when you know that person since he/she was a tiny little thing. Especially when they throw some 'grown up words' to you. Just make me feel like an Elf.)
6. Where/How did you meet your closest friends?
My closest friend is my husband. I called few people my ‘best friends’ when I was younger, until they found their other half, then disappeared front of me. Or we call that ‘grown up’.
7. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
The craziest thing I have ever done was quit my job, say goodbye to my family and friends. Moved to Australia to start my new life with nothing but a computer hard drive.
8. What is the one thing about yourself that you are really proud of?
I am proud to be a wife, a mother and businesswoman who don’t stress.
You: The Photographer
9. How did you become interested in photography?
When I was in grade 5, school field trip, my Amateur photographer Aunty lend me her film camera. I start taking photos of my classmates when they were having fun. Then on and off for a while when I grow up, until my first daughter born, and I was introduced DSLR camera and that was it!
10. If you’re in business, how long have you been in business, and what job did you have before becoming a photographer?
I was hired as a graphic designer since 1996 on my 2nd year of design college. Have been doing that for 20 years now and have my own design business for the past 15 years. 6 years ago I officially launched my photography business – Growtograph and they business blooms ever since.
11. What camera/lenses/camera bag do you use?
I use Canon 5D Mark III as my main camera, have 5D Mark II as a back up. My favourite lens is 50mm 1.2L, I also have a 70-200mm 2.8L, 100mm 2.8L and 17-40mm 4.0L
My store my cameras and lens in a foam protected suitcase when they are not in used. When I go to a job, I have a big leather bag with inserts and put the selected lens in, so I can carry the bag on my shoulder.
12. Do you use Lightroom, Photoshop or both?
I only use Photoshop and Camera Raw.
13. Do you take pictures everyday?
Nearly. I have a busy schedule, have photoshoots line up 4-6 days a week.
14. What is your biggest struggle as a photographer?
Biggest struggle was and still is – selling prints. An area I need to tackle in the near future.
(Some women might caught their husband watching porns, reading whatever "Cheetah Crocodile Lion" magazines. My husband caught me online ordering new camera equips and reading Digital SLR. Damn, can I have some privacy? (Just joking honey))
15. How difficult would it be for you to go without screens (no phone/ iPad/ computer/ TV) for one week? One month?
I should be fine AS LONG AS… all my business clients knows I am off the grid for a month. I think that won’t be a bad idea if I can take one month overseas holiday.
16. How do you promote your photography?
I build my own website as a graphic designer/web designer do. So it has been wonderful for my business. I also have Facebook page as well. That about it. I don’t have newspaper, magazine adverts, nor TV, radio commercials. Mainly my jobs are from word of mouth.
(Asking the kids to get ready is harder than asking a tree to move.)
17. Whose work are you most influenced or inspired by?
I love to read fashion magazines since I was 12. Vogue, Elle Paris version are my main stream inspiration. My mum who worked at the hotel used to bring them home from her work, they are the left over magazines from pilots and air hostesses from airlines. And those editorial photos are just stunning and so inspired.
18.. Have you done any personal projects? Is there anything new you are working on right now or plan to start soon?
I was working on my 365 Self Portrait Project back in 2010, I took photos every single day for whole year. This project was showcased in our Regional Gallery for 7 weeks. And that pumped up my publicity then.
Then after the project finished, I started another 365 self portrait project about “365 interesting news”, but that one didn’t last long before my kids complaint about I spent too much time in the project.
But I still take self portraits every now and then, with bit of story behind it.
