snapshot: quick questions with Tanya Dakin

Tanya Dakin is a talented photographer and model, one of the many great people I met while doing my first stint in the 365 Project.  I immediately fell in love with her Sleeping Strangers project, and it remains one of my favorite series of all time.

sleeping stranger with tie by Tanya Dakin

Greg Turner: The basics: How did you get into modeling? Photography?
Tanya Dakin: I have been doing self portraits since about 12 years old,
and my mother has always made me pose for fashion shots at home. I did not start to actively model for others until I was about 32, 2002.  I started shooting my own images around 1984 and have become ultimately committed to it since 2001.

G: Of your photography work, your “sleeping strangers” series is probably my favorite. How did you start this project and what about it appeals to you?
T: I started the Sleeping Strangers project by accident. 2007 to be exact. I saw a man half asleep at Madison Square Gardens at the News stand. The excitement of shooting the image before the subject opens their eyes was a rush that i have never felt. Almost like shoplifting with less consequences

Since I had been traveling often for modeling, it gave me the opportunity to see a lot of people in transit that are tired enough to slip into a public nap. I will eventually have a book after I collect enough to edit from.

G: What makes for a good relationship between model and photographer? What are some of the things you try to do as a model to make for a good photography session?
T: Be courteous, friendly and professional; don’t let your ego extend past your talents. Give back images in a timely fashion. Be willing to collaborate, and exchange ideas.

I usually do my own styling and my own concepts, and give ideas of lighting and angles that I envision. This usually makes it super easy on the photographer, and very rarely does it not produce great images.

G: How do you think modeling has influenced your photography?
T: Actually I think Photography is a bigger influence on my modeling. I know what makes for a great image, and this helps me at the concept and styling process, the rest is just role playing. Becoming the character, or bringing a
mood to the frame, always find the light, know your angles and be aware of your body parts, and having grace and confidence, is my main components for modeling.

G: I did want to ask one more question of you, and it has to do with equipment. I know from your Flickr stream that shoot most of your own material with a Fuji FinePix F30. How do you think equipment affects your ability to take compelling photos and what might you say to those people who feel they can’t be photographers until they have their first Hasselblad or Canon Mark III?
T: I have seen people with exact same camera as me shoot not so great pictures. It’s defiantly not the equipment that gives one the capabilities of a great image. It’s the user. Having knowledge of how to get a great photo helps with any camera. but i have had photographers shoot 35 MM plastic camera point and shoot with no controls and have gotten glorious images.

Lately I am shooting with photographers that are shooting with very low end equipment and getting very satisfying results.

The Fuji Finepix’s opticals are fantastic, and aside from it not shooting in RAW, It does a lovely job. I recently spoke at a photo class and gave a presentation on self ports, and I made a point of letting the students know that my equipment is very minimal. It’s important in this economy to know you can get a satisfying image with out breaking the bank. And that all you really need is a good eye and understanding or love for photography.

"LA Lolita - self portrait" by Tanya Dakin

Tanya continues to be one of my favorite Flickr contacts.  The few times we’ve emailed (mostly about food), I’ve been surprised by her honesty and comforted by how well she seems to know herself.  Because of this candor, this confidence, I imagine she would be a nothing but a joy to work with, on either side of the camera.