Sometimes you see a great image pop up in your Instagram feed and it makes you see the world differently. That was the case for the work of Talon Repka, an artist from Edmonton that I discovered on the digital platform. Colorful, inspiring, intimate… Talon’s work made me want to learn more about the creative process of a photographer. Here’s our interview :

What’s your creative process when you take a photo?

That’s a great question; It makes me think of the similarities each time in my creative process, and I think those similarities are where a theme or mood really picks up. It always starts for me as one of those introspective moments, brought on either by a song, location, or person. If something really takes me for a second I always consider “do other people catch this when they walk by or listen for the first time”. I let that emotion sink in and then think of a way I can make people feel that same moment I did with a photo.

The notes in my phone are piled with songs and scenes. Then it’s just waiting for the right person and location to come my way that I know can encompass that feeling. I never let my subject know the mood or idea I have either. I like to keep it genuine, and then it’s a little surprise for them when they see the results. I’d say the heavier I pick up on a space and feel the more I know it’s going to make a great photo.

I love the way you photograph people. How do you approach working with a human subject?

It’s funny, I swear it doesn’t matter how many shoots you’ve done, when it all starts everyone in the room is anxious and nervous. It definitely takes a minute to build that trust and get everyone comfortable. I probably spend the first two thirds of a session being a clown and taking photos I know I’m going to delete. Everyone is self conscious of something, and having photos taken people become hyperactive at trying to keep the camera from seeing those flaws. Usually I’m goofing off, and messing around until I happen to take a perfect photo. Then there’s this amazing moment where I show the model the photo that we got with seemingly zero effort. It’s always like “oh my god that’s me” and confidence immediately goes from 0-100. After that it’s down to business, they start owning their space and we really start creating something amazing together.

Originally I started in the streets, if It was a scene that made me feel something I’d take a shot and then ask if I can use it. If I asked people in advance they would immediately become awkward and completely not themselves. It seemed easier to take the shot and ask later or give a smile and hope for a smile back. I’ve been extremely lucky with finding people to photograph, though. I put my work out there and the people that appreciate it do the networking for me. I’ve also been blessed to work with a few other artists in my city that know exactly who to send my way. It’s been few and far between that I have had to turn down. I don’t think people take offence to it either. When someone reaches out I try to imagine a story. Like what feeling I’d capture in the street if I saw them. Sometimes the way people animate themselves clashes with what I see in that story. Or the way they want to write a story with me isn’t genuine to them and real life. For Instagram that story is a little square box and I hope people realize they can’t actually fit their entire personality into that tiny box.

As for directing my subjects, I like to think I’ve fabricated my ideas based off of the persons personality and I try to set up an environment where they can animate and fill their own space. I think we all forget that the camera takes an instant shot and you don’t have to stay rigid. When someone is nervous and not being themselves it’s quite a song and dance. Literally. Whatever I can do so that the model becomes aware of how they hold their body when there isn’t a camera pointed at them. Often I’ll get asked to come along to a shoot just to direct. It’s really about getting the subject to keep flowing through movement. I love the opportunity of getting people to open up and be themselves, it’s really fulfilling.

What inspires you about the place where you live?

I live in Edmonton, AB and the cold Canadian winters really make people want to shut off. I see people walk right past beautiful art, characters, and nature everyday. I’m always hoping I create something that makes the viewer turn back on, even if it’s only for the second they’re looking at my photos. The city has been called Deadmonton for a while now and it’s fun to feel like a pioneer in enjoying the city. I hope to be a part of making that name phase out.

What’s an important thing photography has taught you?

Honestly the best thing photography has taught me is to get out of my head. Or in today’s world out of my phone/head. I’m so used to walking around with my camera scanning for a beautiful moment I notice a lot more going on around me, especially in my city. It’s taught me to experience the world in a more cinematic way. It’s really blissful to notice the intricacies of people and architecture on the street. I feel a lot less vulnerable to my own emotions when I’m in the moment and taking in what’s happening around me.

The biggest thing I’ve learned with photography is how fleeting it is. It’s kind of a romance for me. You anticipate a shot like it’s a first date. It can play in your mind a thousand times, but really it all comes down to 1/100th of a second. Sometimes you miss the shot and it’s gone, you blew the date and she never calls. Sometimes you get your settings just right and the planets align. Honestly, I think that’s what keeps me obsessed.

Do you think a platform like Instagram changes the way you approach photography?

This is a tough question to answer. I have to consider that a majority of my photographs are going to only be seen on Instagram. As social media It has created a little pseudo community for me to work within so I feel like I will always consider it to some extent. I call Instagram the devil on our shoulder, we all want to listen to the creativity angel on the other side but we know what the devil wants and says is going to have some sort of influence. I guess some people just make a deal with the devil haha.

That being said I have always had a bit of an attitude towards photography and Instagram. I make an effort to post what I want and how I feel especially if I know it’s going to resonate with even just one other person. To me Instagram encapsulates what people want to hear and see and be told. I consider those things the guidelines to creating a shot for Instagram, and I try to blur those lines as much as possible. If it’s following the guidelines vs. being truly creative I’ll always chose the creative path.

Which of the photographers you follow on Instagram inspire you the most?

Andre Josselin | @josselin

He shoots Leica and creates these amazing pastel tones. It’s like there’s this golden elegance in every photo he takes. The mood of his photos remind me of that jovial haze of excitement you feel in a new city or while travelling. Like you don’t know exactly where you are but it’s okay to be there.

Karel Chladek | @karelchladek

He shoots nightlife in Montreal and the photos are these gritty canvasses of colour and noise. It’s something completely unique and what he captures makes me feel really hollow.

Karl Alexander Hermann | @karlalexanderherrmann

He shoots these incredible long exposures and double exposures that just become masterpieces. You almost can’t tell if it is a photo or a piece of art. It’s breaking all the rules in the right way and I appreciate that.

What are you working on right now?

I have one project coming up in particular that I’m really excited about. Another artist I’ve been working with had the idea to try and create a voice for the homeless community in our city. We are organizing to have people gather downtown and we’ll give out candles by donation. The plan is to have each person light their candle to represent a homeless person in the city that is being unheard. A silent protest of sort. We plan to photograph the gathering as an illustration of the message and sell prints of the photographs. All the proceeds will go directly to local homeless initiatives.

Follow Talon Repka on Instagram : @talonrepmvmt