IN CONVERSATION WITH | Ruby Holland

LA FAMILLE

IN CONVERSATION WITH:
^{Ruby Holland}

We speak to Ruby Holland, friend of the brand and rising NZ film photographer, on her brave decision to leave the 9-5 grind and pursue photography full-time, what draws her to shooting on film, and how motherhood has changed how she approaches her day-to-day.

What does your morning look like?

My morning starts around 6am with a cuddle and feed with Bobby in bed. I then make a coffee in my keep cup and we go for a nice big walk around the waterfront.

When you started to take an interest in photography, did you start with shooting film?

I started with a mix of film and digital back in my high school years and had lots of fun with it. My love for analog photography grew years later when my dad gifted me a Pentax K1000 from a secondhand store.

What made you gravitate more towards film over digital?

I really love the process of film. There's no instant gratification involved, you're forced to wait and see what you've created! I also love the feeling that analog photography brings. It's perfectly imperfect!

When you made a transition to film, did this change your shooting style at all or what you chose to capture?

It has forced me to think more / be a lot more considered with each shot. I mainly work with medium format film, and there are only 10 shots on a roll so I certainly can't just snap away!

Do you have any favourite subjects to shoot?

I am very drawn to people and fashion.

Congratulations on becoming a new mum earlier this year! How do you juggle motherhood with your photography jobs?

Thank you! Honestly, I don't know. It's really hard, but somehow we make it work. Bobby will sometimes come along to shoots with me. We also have an incredibly supportive family who pitch in as much as they can. It takes a village, and we're so grateful to have the support we do.

When did you make the decision to start working for yourself? Were there any hesitations?

I left my 9-5 job in the world of advertising mid last year. It was not an easy decision at all and it took a long time before taking the leap. It was a massive shift going from a secure job, to having no income, and pursuing a job that is stereotypically very hard to make a living at. It was a challenging time both physically and mentally - but leaving my comfort zone has forced me to work 100x harder. I'm still figuring things out but I am so grateful to be where I am now. Life goes past at such speed - it's very important to me to wake up every day and create a life I want.

Are there any other photographers, current or historical that inspire you?

There are so many! I really love Agnes Kulesza and Lukas Pik of Kulesza & Pik - they're a Parisian based photographer and director duo. I'm very inspired by their minimalist and sophisticated fashion work.

What have you learnt about yourself recently?

That I'm not the same person I was before I had Bobby - and that's ok. I'm learning to embrace the change, slow down, be present and just enjoy the simple pleasures.

Are you working on any exciting new projects that you’d love to share with us?

Yes, I am! I'm currently working on a few different creative projects alongside a handful of very talented creatives. I'm exploring the use of artificial light which I have never done before. We're in the early stages of the project with the aim to share more early next year.