Featured Photographer: Derren Versoza
When photographer Derren Versoza first held a digital SLR camera, he knew he had found his passion. After three years of researching and exploring different techniques, the brilliant photographer discovered the mood and expression that he is celebrated for—a tone that radiates inscrutability and magnificence. His work is both inventive and moving, immediately making you feel enraptured by the striking emotion evoked by each piece. Versoza’s work takes you to a fantastic setting, where the subject of the photograph—seemingly the only living being— is able to completely enthrall the observer.
Of course, Versoza’s ability to produce beautiful photographs is but one of his creative fortes. His interest in photography sparked a curiosity in other artistic avenues, namely videography. Check out the full interview to learn more about this week’s featured photographer.
BANGSTYLE: What prompted your interest in photography?
DERREN VERSOZA: My interest in photography developed about three years ago when one of my roommates bought a digital SLR camera. After playing around with it for a day, I knew I had to have one. I spent hours researching online about cameras and eventually ended up buying my very own. At first, I think the only reason I wanted a camera was to have cool MySpace pictures! But after that phase, I started a Project 365 that led me to where I am now.
BANGSTYLE: Can you explain what a Project 365 is?
DV: So, a Project 365 is pretty much where you take a different photo every day for an entire year. I started a Project 365 for the year of 2010 and didn’t miss a day! It was frustrating at times to come up with a photo every single day but in the end, I ended up learning a lot about photography, different styles of shooting, and lighting. Project 365 definitely influenced my shooting technique and style that I have today.
BANGSTYLE: Where do you get your inspiration for your photo shoots?
DV: I like to stay inspired by constantly analyzing movies, music videos, browsing the Internet, and daydreaming. Sometimes I sit in class and just think about cool environments that would work for a photo shoot. I also stay inspired by trying to progress and improve in every shoot by trying something different that I haven’t done before.
BANGSTYLE: Many of your photos have a dream-like quality to them. How are you able to achieve this feel?
DV: The dream-like quality comes from the entire process—every photograph starts off with an idea. Once I have a certain idea, I plan out how I’m going to shoot it and visualize in my head what the final image is going to look like. I like my photographs to have the dream-like feel but also to be mysterious and beautiful in the overall mood and expression.
BANGSTYLE: How do you know you’ve found the perfect location to shoot?
DV: As soon as I look at the back of my camera and like what I see, that’s when I know the location is going to work. After planning and visualizing an idea, executing it and seeing it on the camera assures me that the location is perfect for the shot. I like to go location scouting every once in awhile; I just drive around on back roads and pretty much explore until I see a unique location that could possible work. I also use Google maps a lot to explore around and get a feel for certain environments.
BANGSTYLE: Which other photographers have influenced your work?
DV: Karrah Kobus is an awesome conceptual and event photographer from Minnesota who has influenced my work in several ways. I first discovered her on Flickr and was immediately amazed by her pictures. She’s able to express certain emotions and portray vivid stories in her photos, which I believe is the most challenging thing in conceptual photography. Her work has definitely inspired me to take my work in a more creative direction.
BANGSTYLE: In many of your portraits, the focus is on the subject of the photo and the background is blurred out. What encouraged you to use these effects in your work?
DV: I like having the focus on the subject because it immediately draws the viewer’s eyes to what I want to portray in the photo. The blurry depth of field in the environment also adds to the dream-like feel that I like to have in my photographs. I like to emphasize this look in my photographs because it just adds a certain element of emotion to the photograph.
BANGSTYLE: You are also a videographer. Your portfolio features work on an art show—OAC Art for Awareness 2011—and a behind- the- scenes look at a Sophia Bush cover shoot for “Zooey Magazine.” Did your interest in videography come from your passion for photography? Also, how did you land the Sophia Bush gig?
DV: Yeah, my interest in videography came about a year after I started photography. I use to bring my camera around to events and parties to take pictures, and then I started recording videos instead. I edited short films and posted them on YouTube and Facebook for my friends to watch and enjoy. I challenged myself to improve and do something new with each video I made which I think landed me some awesome gigs. After doing a few events, I got in contact with someone with “Zooey Magazine” to help with the Sophia Bush video. I was pretty nervous for that video because it was my first big gig, and I didn’t come up with a video plan until the night before; but I think the outcome turned out pretty well.
BANGSTYLE: Describe your work in one sentence.
DV: I would say my work consists of creative environmental portraits.
BANGSTYLE: Where can we find your latest work?
DV: You can check out my work on my website, Flickr, or Facebook Page.
