Wow that is really powerful, I have to say it was an honor to work with you and see you in action. As you know I get inspired by people and I sure got inspired by you in Portugal. Your story is quite powerful and you are an inspiration to the next generation, to those who might not be in the best of situations now but can have hope that they can turn their life around. So kudos for where you are today.
I always say that is never too early or too late to start a new passion in life or change paths, what is the best advice you can give to anyone who wants to become a photographer?
First step is you have to figure out what is wrong with you! Why do you want to do photography, because most people don’t make it doing what they want to do, if photography has already become a way that you heal yourself or you deal with reality, then I think you have a good chance of being a professional photographer because if you are not doing it everyday, then you are probably not going to pick up this tool and start to do it
Zachary, looking back a few years ago when you started and where you are right now, how do you think Social Media and Technology have impacted the photography industry?
Oh my god!, It’s a huge impact, a lot of people think that because everyone has a camera on their pocket is a bad thing, a lot of the old school photographers get disgruntled and upset because of the new use of photography, to me it's wonderful! Because I can talk to anybody, anybody that has a cell phone and they know more about photography than they ever have, and video and how to frame pictures, how do you take this exposure, etc.
Social Media allows us to share our world with the rest of the world which is really wonderful, that’s why I became a photographer in some ways, because I wanted to share what I see with you!
And I think the whole world is doing that. Technology exists for photographers but you don’t want to get into the business of buying and selling very gadget out there and being essentially an output for this photography companies. So forget all the lenses, fancy stuff, you don’t need it! Be creative with what you have!
What would you say have been some of your most memorable moments in your career so far?
Oh man, well we just had one, so I’m going to speak about that. Going to Portugal and meeting you Elise, who are this ball of wonderful energy and being surrounded by other wonderful creatives, the best poet in the world Saul Williams, who is my hero or all heroes, Rosario Dawson kissed me on my cheek and I nearly passed out and fainted, we got to meet Sol Guy, Thavius Beck, guys that I never knew who absolutely inspired me, that moment in Portugal made me realize how powerful people are, and they say you are who you hang out with, so I am making sure you are people I am going to hang out with as much as I can because you are who you hang out with and maybe the books you read!
You are correct, there is a saying that says you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, and that can be not just in person but who you talk to on the phone,etc. and thank you for including me on one of your most memorable moments Zachary as I completely agree, being surrounded under the same roof by this set of amazing people whilst we all worked together in the same project was incredible! So let’s share a recap video of our journey in Portugal. For sure one of the best weeks I’ve had this year!
This is raw footage, not edited, pure simple photography by Zachary in motion of the event we just did. Enjoy!
So what’s next for Zachary Balber? Any shows coming up?
I have been hesitant to show my new body of work, the Intimate Strangers, I would challenge anyone who reads this to look up the word ‘Intimacy’ and the word ‘Stranger’ because if you look at the definition of those, it will explain to you the body of work and I have been afraid to show it because at the time certain clients of mine might have gotten offended that I may be trying to hurt them or offend their image, but it really wasn’t about them, it was about me in my daily life and making it better for me, and here I am years later and it seems people enjoy it when I’m making myself laugh and happy, so that is what’s next in the horizon, a show in New York with the Intimate Strangers and we’ll see what happens!