Words and Images by Brooke Guthrie

How did you develop this series?

This series developed as an attempt to regain my love for still photography and purposeful photoshoots. I have been a photographer for close to 9 years now, and something that I have always enjoyed doing are planned creative shoots. This has been harder for me to make time for because I am in school, but once winter break came around, I knew I wanted to challenge myself again. “A Girl’s Room is Sacred” is inspired by Orion Carloto’s exhibition called “A Room of One’s Own.” After seeing photos of her exhibition, it made me think about my own room and how I have curated my own taste over the years. I believe that how someone chooses to decorate their room says a lot about them. It’s the one place that is truly yours, and it’s the one place where you can truly be yourself with no judgement. This past year was very hard for me in terms of my self-identity and self-esteem, and by coming up with the concept of “A Girl’s Room is Sacred,” I was able to reflect on my loss of self and work towards regaining it through my photography. This series is meant to showcase all the creative women in my life and inspire others to be their true, creative selves.

What challenges came up during this project?

Thankfully when your friends are your subjects not many challenges arise. However, if I had to choose something, it would be the limitations of shooting on 35mm film. As a college student with financial instability, shooting on film is always a risk for me. However, it’s a risk I’m willing to take to achieve the look I’m going for. Usually when I go to a shoot, I limit myself to one roll of film. This challenges me to really think about my compositions and make them the best they can be.

Describe your creative process in one word?

Nostalgia. Something I am constantly inspired by is the feeling of nostalgia, and I am always trying to chase that feeling in my work. Whether that be through choice of camera, the content I capture, or editing styles, my goal is almost always to try to get the audience to feel nostalgic about a time or place they have never experienced before.

What inspires you to pursue image-making?

I think the ability to be creative and make whatever you want is so cool. There is no right or wrong, and you can just be yourself. I was luckily raised by a lot of creative women who instilled that mindset in me and continue to inspire me to do this day. I do what I do for them in hopes to honor their creativity and make them proud.

What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?

Poor Things. Poor Things. Poor Things. Poor Things. I saw that film when it first released in January, and since then I have not been able to stop thinking about it. The technical aspects of the film itself is beautiful in its cinematography and production design, but it’s the story that I can’t stop thinking about. The exploration of self that Bella’s character experiences is something I have never been so inspired by. While others may not agree, I think it is a beautiful portrayal of the complexities of womanhood, and that is something I want to be able to translate into my own work.

What advice would you give to people just starting out in photography?

Seek out new experiences. I always feel the most inspired when I travel to a new place that I am not familiar with. In a foreign place, everything to me is photo-worthy, and I often find myself looking back to those photos to inspire new projects. Experiencing ways of life and cultures that you’re not familiar with will help you learn about the world around you, and that can help diversify your creative endeavors.

What is your favorite thing (podcast, album, audio book...etc.) to listen to?

As of right now, I find myself listening to a lot of Fiona Apple, specifically her album “Fetch the Boltcutters.” She is a big inspiration to me when it comes to the complexity of women.

How do you take your coffee?

Black. Plain and simple.