Carly Short, who studied at the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology, is the Fine Art category winner of the inaugural Microsoft Future Pro Competition in 2006 with her winning entry called “Temptation”. Find out what she has to say about photography and the competition.
Fine Art Category Winner "Temptation" © Carly Short
The photo reminds me of Snow White and the poisoned apple. Was that where the idea came from?
At the time it was a project for school. We had an assignment for contrasting colors and I wanted to do something fairytale like. Some look at it as Adam and Eve, some Little Red Riding Hood, and others think of Snow White. Either way that was my first photograph that I truly loved that I had taken. It was the first image where I really felt like a professional photographer.
Do you photograph weddings for a living? How often do you photograph weddings?
Yes, I photography weddings. Probably 8-10 per year. I do a lot of freelance work and I am also looking into starting a Pet Photography business.
Do you work by yourself or with a partner for weddings? What are the challenges of working by yourself/with a partner?
It is great to have someone with me especially at weddings, so that I can relax a little more. If there are two photographers, I feel better about everything getting covered. I can pay attention to the smaller detail with another person working with me. Working with someone can also be a little bit nerve racking. A lot of trust is being put into their photography abilities, and that they are getting the job done.
Looking back at the photography course taken at Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology, what were the things you’ve learned there that still have an impact on your work today?
OIP&T taught me all the basic skills I needed to grow as a photographer and become a better business owner.
Do you see wedding videography taking over wedding photography?
What makes wedding photos unique over wedding videos do you think? Wedding photography offers something totally different [to] videography. Photography has the ability to capture the small details, where as videographers capture the day as a whole. There is a lot going on during a wedding and the videographer is getting the actual wedding as a whole while the photographer can capture the details of the day that maybe the bride or groom missed. Having something to hold in your hand and hang on your wall is just a must have after your wedding.
Can you briefly explain what the NAPP and PPA memberships from the competition offer and how do they help you in your career in photography?
NAPP and PPA both have awesome benefits. They are both full of useful information, such as ways to better your business or become a better photographer and digital artist. They offer tons of discounts and are always putting on trade shows around the globe.
On your website you’ve said that you want to portray people from their perspective rather than from other’s perspective. Can you tell us the difference between the two?
I think that people often see themselves very differently than other people see them. I try to bring out the real personalities of people in my photographs. For example, most people would view my father as a very serious business man. But if you ask him, he thinks of himself as somewhat of a comedian. He loves to laugh and spend time with his family. There is a difference between how other people portray you, and how people portray themselves.
What’s the most fun photo project you’ve worked on?
I had an internship in LA with Matthew Jordan Smith after winning the Microsoft Future Photographers contest. I had the opportunity to go onto Americas Next Top Model, and help Matthew with the photo shoot. It was so fun to see how the show was filmed. I had fun watching the show when it aired, and also had a 1 sec television debut! 
What separates great pictures from good pictures?
The definition of a great picture depends on who’s looking at it. Personally, I think the greatest pictures cause an emotion when they are being looked at. They tell a story and make the viewer use his or her imagination.
If you could design your own camera, what would it be?
Well I’m no engineer, but I would love to have something small to slip into my purse, that still could have adjustable settings and a choice of lenses. There are times when I don’t want to chance getting my nice camera stolen, or damaged… but I want some nice pictures. Ex. A night out at the bar with friends, or a concert. Point and shoot cameras work fine, but a professional pocket camera, even better
What would you like to do in the future?
I would like to eventually start up my own studio. I am headed in the right direction. It just takes a little patience and the right timing.
End of Interview
Thanks a lot Carly for sharing your time and insights with us!
You can learn more about Carly at her website.
Award winning photographer Crash Taylor is one of the UK’s most in demand wedding photographers. He was voted one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the UK by Professional Photographer magazine.
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