PhotoDonuts -Hello April, can you introduce yourself?
April-Lea Hutchinson – I am a model & photographer residing in London , Ontario, Canada . My hometown is Toronto, Ontario, I basically work for myself and pick up work as I go along (Freelance). I have been modeling since the age 16 and I am a self taught photographer who works primarily with film.


P. -Talk us about your background in photography.
A-L H. I was a teenager when I first picked up a camera and had an interest in photography. I took pho­tography as an arts credit in high school, grades 11 & 12. I spent some time in the darkroom and primarily worked with film.
In my twenties, I was always shoot­ing something, I just couldn’t seri­ously sit down and devote my time to photography and find my niche. My mother was terminally ill for years; so that really put my life on hold. I took care of her and at the same time photographed her; I wanted to document her life up until the day she died. I really didn’t start seriously shooting until October of 2009. My friend gave me a Polaroid Land camera 420 as a gift, I had always been in love with film & Polaroid so getting the camera was a pure delight. I bought a couple packs of Polaroid film and the rest is history.


P. -At what time did you realize you wanted to become photographer?
A-L H. I believe it was in the beginning of 2010, where I was like “hell yeah” I can do this and love doing it. (More so than modeling) I guess it started to consume me, my thoughts and time. Whenever this happens in my life, it’s a good thing and a sign to me that I should pursue what I am doing.

P. -What place does photography have in your everyday life?
A-L H. Photography is present in my life everyday. I am either thinking about what or who I want to shoot next.
I always carry my camera with me, its part of me. It seems like everyday I see something I want to photograph, whether it’s a model, a person walking down the street, architecture, a sunset etc. I am inspired on a daily basis.


P. -You photograph mainly girls, why?
A-L H. Photographing females just comes naturally to me. I adore the female form. A nude figure brings out something of the essence of the person. There is something elemental, primal and honest about a nude human form. Overall I like to think my images of women are a cel­ebration of sexuality, sensu­ality, strength and intimacy.

P. -Do you think you see a part of yourself in the girls you photograph and more generally in your photographs thanks to your self-portraits?
A-L H. Shooting self portraits has definitely helped me when shooting others and vice versa. I see a little bit of myself in each model. I guess I try and express how I feel inside by having the model show a certain emotion, openness or confidence while posing. For example, I am still to this day dealing with some shame or perhaps awkward feelings about my body. At these times, I sometimes have the model wear a blindfold, or compose the image so that the model remains anonymous. I shoot with my mood and my mood changes so very often.
I guess at times it’s good to be moody; it helps when creating my art.

P. -You are also model for photographers such as Ben Fernon, George Pitts or Simon Gentry. Tell us about your experience as model and what that has been able to bring to you.
A-L H. My experience as a model has helped me with basic composition, angles (to know my own and others) and lighting. George Pitts is like a mentor to me, someone I highly respect and love working with. He has helped me so much, to question why I shoot what I shoot, how to approach my subjects and has introduced me to a wide range of artists I may never have discovered. Modeling has also helped me develop my taste, my own style, to discover what I like and what I don’t like. I know how I like to be photographed, so I also apply this when shooting a model.


P. -Who & what are some of your influences?
A-L H. Many people in my life today inspire me. (Friends, family, photographers etc) Art, music, literature and cinema continue to have an influence on me and my work on a regular basis. When I first started having an interest in photography, I fol­lowed great artists such a Sally Man, Jan Saudek, Diane Arbus, Bettina Rheims, Helmut Newton and Ellen Von Unwerth. I still highly admire their work today of course.

P. -What equipment do you use?
A-L H. I use a mix of various film cameras. Holgas, Polaroid, 35mm and medium format. I can sometimes use 5-6 cameras during one shoot.

P. -A last word?
A-L H. Creating art as both a model and photographer has been such a trip, just so rewarding.
The friendships I have made during the process have been even better. I’m very grateful.

Thank you very much April for your answers and your time!

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