Please introduce yourself: What is your name, where are you from, what do you do?

My name is Callie Mills. I grew up just outside of Madison, Wisconsin in a very small town called Mount Horeb. When I was a kid I traveled across the midwest with my parents in their comedy and juggling show. Sometimes I juggled with them in the show. It was then I realized I wanted to work in entertainment, so when I graduated high school I attended college for Radio/TV/Film and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and graduated in 2012. I moved to Los Angeles five years ago to pursue tv writing, and I currently work in social media and marketing.

What is your relationship with photography and how did you get into it?

Moving from the countryside of Wisconsin to the city of Los Angeles was a big change for me. While getting to know my neighborhood in Los Angeles, my boyfriend and I would go on photo walks where we'd walk around and take pictures. I came across urban landscape photography and was very drawn to it. As I began to dedicate more and more of my free time to photography, I looked at the work of famous photographers and was particularly drawn to the work of Stephen Shore and William Eggleston. I also used Instagram as a way to discover new photographers—both seasoned pros and those who were just starting out like me.

A little over a year ago, my mom gave me a camera for my birthday—a Leica V-LUX. Since then, I have continued to work on my photography while getting to know my camera. As far as motivation, sometimes I'll spend a few hours taking photos and not feel inspired at all, and other days I'll come home with a few shots I'm really excited about. What keeps me motivated is looking at the work of photographers I admire and finding new ones to draw inspiration from. Trying a new composition or finding new and different locations in Los Angeles or wherever I am, always makes me feel more motivated to take pictures.

What are you currently working on, and—if there is—what is your next project or journey?

Film photography is my next challenge. I also want to continue to develop my photography skills and keep trying new things. 

Thank you, Callie.

Notes

1–10 Callie Mills, Los Angeles, California 2017.

Notes

1–10 Callie Mills, Los Angeles, California 2017.