International Feature: Justin Anantawan
Featured in four of Beacon's magazines, Justin Anantawan is a spectacular & versatile photographer. Read more about what influences his work for Beacon.
Is there any message or story you're trying to tell with your work?
With my work, I am trying to simply show people as they are. In this world, with its obsession with fame, “influencing” and perfection, people are wearing masks in order to be accepted. In my work, I try to show the human side of each individual I photograph. I especially love working with people who are marginalized in society – many of my portraits feature individuals who are HIV-positive, part of the LGBTQ community, Deaf, have mental health issues, people living with albinism, etc. I see my photography as a sort of activism, helping the world to see those who are often invisible to society due to stigma and social oppression.
What are your biggest influences?
The photographers who have influenced my work include Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, Steve McCurry and Elina Kechicheva.
Can you describe your process? How do you find the models for work?
At a photo shoot, I normally tell models not to pose and I pose them myself, often showing them with my own body. I am very hands-on and have a strong vision of the photograph I want. That is why I normally like working with new faces rather than established models – they often have no idea what they are doing so it enables me to better mold them into the poses I desire.
I find models often through the agencies I work with. However, I also am a model scout so I am constantly reaching out to potential models on Instagram and on the street. One of my favourite experiences was meeting a model on the streets of the Nairobi the day before I was to return to Canada and convincing him to shoot that very afternoon. He barely knew me but he trusted me enough to shoot.
What is the relationship like with the people in your photos?
I am a social worker and naturally a motherly person, so I have a very nurturing relationship with my subjects. There have been a few times at shoots where I ended up counseling some of my models through personal issues they were going through. Also, a lot of my subjects have been folks I have worked with while volunteering overseas in Jamaica, Kenya and Gambia. For example, when I was living in Gambia, I was volunteering as a music teacher at a school for the blind and some of my favourite pictures from my time there were of my students – they were so sweet and always wanted to pose for photographs even though they could not see them.
Can you go more in-depth on what a typical shoot day would look like?
A typical day shoot day with a model is very simple. I normally do not use stylists or make-up artists, so I simply meet a model and we shoot either in studio or outdoors.
A photo journalistic street shoot, where I find random subjects, involves a little more work. When I am overseas in places like Jamaica or Kenya, I need to make sure I have cash on hand to give to people when I take their photos – most folks are afraid of outsiders selling their photos (which I have never done) so they expect to be paid for the shot. I will often walk around a city for a couple hours asking people that interest me for a portrait. Sometimes, I have a local friend who will help me with this, especially with translation. All in all, it has been a great experience except for the time I was robbed at knife point in a market in Kingston Jamaica.
Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?
I am naturally a shy person and I often have trouble relating to people. I pursue photography because I find it is a way to help me connect. I started taking photography seriously when I was 21, when I first volunteered at an orphanage in Kenya. I took photos of the children with whom I was volunteering and it made me feel good to capture their smiles and connect with them through the camera. Since then, I have continued to photograph people almost exclusively.
How would you describe your photography style?
My photography style is soulful and raw.
What is the most rewarding part of being a photographer for you?
The most rewarding part of being a photographer for me is seeing my subjects faces light up when they see themselves in my photos, especially when they feel beautiful for the first time.
What does Four Eyes mean to you?
Four Eyes to me represents the idea of openness and trying to see the complexity of the world without judgement.
What does Tan Lines mean to you?
I have no ideal lol!
What's your relationship with either of the phrases?
I always endeavor to be open minded and see deeply into people’s souls, however at times I get a little bit confused.
Are there any future projects you would like to share?
I am hoping to use my photography skills to help create more awareness of HIV/AIDS and support folks living with HIV.
To see more of Justin’s work find him on his Instagram @justin_anantawan
