02.27.08

My Interview with Robert, Owner of Robert Socha at Etsy

Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, Photography at 8:18 am by KellyM

Meet Robert Socha, Owner of http://www.robertsocha.etsy.com/ and http://www.robertsochaphotography.com/.

Where are you located?  Sparta, New Jersey in rural Sussex County.
What do you design?  I am mostly a nature photographer.  While I do commercial photography for companies and portrait work for people, most of my photography is nature, landscape and wildlife.
Where/How did you learn this?  My mother taught me the basics of how to use a camera when I was really quite young, maybe 9 or 10 years old.  Since then I am self-taught.  I never attended schooling for photography, but I do always enjoy learning from others as much as possible.  I read photography books and magazines, the internet and talk with other photographers.  I’m always hoping to improve and the way I see it, there is something to be learned from everyone.
Favortie Artist who inspires you?  In the world of photography, believe it or not I don’t really get much from the “Masters”.  There are a lot of contemporary, unknown or relatively unknown photographers that inspire me.  A lot of photographers become famous because powerful people in the art world tell everyone else to like them, then you are supposed to worship these people.  I think some of the best photography is coming from people who aren’t seeking acceptance by the “fine art” world.
Where does your inspiration come from?  Nature.  I grew up in a log cabin, John Denver was on the stereo all day long, and my backyard was the woods.  During my childhood, my mother worked for the Raccoon Ridge Bird Observatory, which she runs today.  We were involved in the care of the orphaned and injured birds and animals which gave me an immense love for wildlife and the outdoors. 
I spent my childhood feeding baby birds, playing with raccoons and giving mice to hawks and owls.  It’s an experinece I’ll never forget.  It influences my photography to this day.  I do commercial work for people, portraits, even product photography, etc.  But I’m most happy out in nature with my camera.
What do you do to combat creative block?  It happens to everyone.  Sometimes I go out to shoot and come back with absolutely nothing.  It seems sometimes when that is happening that the root cause is I’m not shooting for the love of shooting, I’m shooting for some other reason.  Maybe to take the perfect bird picture or take a photo that will sell.  Your best art always comes when you’re not thinking about the future, and just focusing on the enjoyment of doing what you love.
If I get into a creative funk, I will take a break, watch a good movie, hike, bike, spend time with friends….anything to put me back into a better mood.
Where do you design your creations?  The vast majority of my photography is done outdoors in natural light.  I then edit my photos with Photoshop in my office and do all of my own printing with a professional Epson printer and archival inks.  Typically, I’ll use Hahnemuhle photo rag paper but in the end I use whatever is best for a particular look I want to achieve.
What does your work space look like right now?  A mess.
How does your family feel about what you do?  Very supportive.  My wife and mother especially pushed me to begin selling prints and putting myself out there professionally.  Both are very creative and understand the need for that creative outlet.  Since I’ve made the decision to do so, it’s been exciting.  Even though I maintain my “real” job of selling coffee/espresso, I do commercial work now for people and companies which is fun, and I’m trying to promote my personal work as prints.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method?  Don’t try to emulate anyone else.  Shoot what you like, shoot a lot because it helps you learn about light, shape and composition, and always evaluate yourself honestly.
Favorite part of owning your own business?  Running a couple of businesses is tough, but at the end of the day, I have only myself to answer to.  I like that part a lot.
Least favorite?  At the end of the day, I have only myself to answer to, ha ha.  Least favorite, I guess, is that with any business there is the day to day boring responsibilities.  I’m more the creative type, so being in charge of all the business end of things is difficult sometimes.
How do you realx?  By taking pictures.  Honestly, when I’m out with my camera, there is nothing that relaxes me more.  I absolutely love it.  And when people buy a print or view my photos online and write to tell me how much they enjoy what I’ve made, that’s a nice feeling too.
Favortie color?  Different shades of blues and greens.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work?  They do, though probably green more than blue.  I like to use color as a background paint.  Much of my style is to shoot with a shallow depth of field and I enjoy searching for colors in the background that I can throw out of focus and create a nice painting effect.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing?  I would love to live simply.  Maybe like a Hobbit.  I’d cook stews over an open fire, I’d have friends over more often to enjoy some good conversation.  I’d like to learn to make jewelry from metal and to play an instrument.  Really, I’m dissappointed how short life is.  If I lived 1000 years, I couldn’t do all I wanted.

A sample of Robert Socha products.  For all products, please visit Robert’s website.

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