Lucy Krebsbach
March 7th, 2021
Interview – By Samuel Stone
Lucy Krebsbach seeks the magical in the natural and reveals it through her singular and oftentimes eerily majestical compositions. A photographer greatly influenced by the fantasy genre, Krebsbach’s work is motivated by the search for the fleeting energy of the enchanted in the natural processes of our world, a subtle recognition of the noumenal in the phenomenal. A graduate of University of Michigan, she is currently based between LA and New York. Her work has appeared in Subjectively Objective’s Observations in the Ordinary. She works at Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and enjoys surfing in her free time.
How did you get your start in photography? When did you realize it was important to you as an artform?
In 2018 I was in a funk and looking to make something. My partner at the time took beautiful photos, which made me want to try it too. I bought a camera and started messing around. I always loved looking at photographs and it was exciting to eventually start making ones that I liked. It felt approachable to me as an artform.
I appreciate how the medium is closely tied to the ways in which our eyes and brain perceive our surroundings. The visual connection on one hand feels honest, but it's ultimately so malleable which makes for an interesting tension.
Do you think of photography more in terms of expression or in terms of representation?
Expression. When I take photos that are interesting to me, I see my energy and state of mind reflected. I'm an emotional and expressive person by nature, so it's hard for me to take that out of the equation.
Your portfolio seems to be balanced between set pieces and more spontaneous shots. Do you have a preference among these two styles of shooting?
My favorite photos that I've taken have been of things or moments that surfaced out of the blue. It feels very mystical when it happens, which I think adds to the overall quality of the images. That being said, it can be hard to consistently produce work that way. I do my best to place myself in scenarios conducive to the kind of photograph I'm looking for, but sometimes the spontaneous shots just aren't happening. It also makes me rely heavily on being in a natural environment that is inspiring to me. I'm trying to bring a camera around with me more often so I don't miss out, but it's a work in progress.
A lot of your work seems to be characterized by what’s left out of the frame. What’s the motivation for this aesthetic and thematic choice?
I think this also ties in to my love for fantasy. I like to imagine that something really special has just exited the frame, leaving behind energy that radiates in its absence.
How has quarantine and lockdown affected your creative impulses, if at all?
Very heavily. I've had such a hard time with photography all year. I've tried to take pressure off of myself to make anything and focus more on trying to have fun. Right now, I'm mostly just playing with my iPhone camera. I'm also spending more time with music and have been putting out a radio show on 8Ball which has been a good outlet.
Who are some of your art and photography inspirations?
Lately I've been loving the work of Brendan George Ko and Cheyna Carr. Also, I'm forever touched by Britney Spears.
See more of Lucy’s work here.