BEHIND THE LENS
WITH
THERES STEPHANSDOTTER
~~~
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN
THERES STEPHANSDOTTER
~~~
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN
METAL PULP AND PAPER
Hello Theres Stephansdotter. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Metal Pulp And Paper’s feature called Behind The Lens. We appreciate it.
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
That is a question that has always been tricky for me to answer. It wasn’t a certain day or even a year I "became" a photographer. Photography is in the blood, I am the 4th generation of photographers in my family so I guess it has always been a part of me. However, it took a life changing crisis for me to get courage enough to go for it. I have now been doing it pretty much full-time for about five years, but it has been with me a lot longer than that. I guess there are two different kinds of photographers. Those who enjoy it, study and develop their skills and those who just kind of have to shoot. I am the second. I see pictures in everything. Sometimes it has been so hard to work with this that I have wanted to stop. But I simply can’t. I just have it in me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, I love it, but I think everybody, at some time or another, feels that they sometimes just want to give up. That your talent or hard work seems to go unnoticed to the world. It is a tricky landscape these days where people stare themselves blind at money. If their friend has a camera, why pay a photographer? Hence being a part of killing what to me is a noble profession and make people used to bad quality by not showing them what good quality is. Even when I worked as a journalist and wrote pieces it was always the photo pulling me into the articles I read. I think the photo is a very powerful entity.
MPAP
What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
I guess my previous answer kind of answered this too. I see inspiration in everything.
MPAP
Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
I am definitely driven by my passion for it rather than anything else. It isn’t easy, it isn’t good money and it can be pretty thankless. Doesn’t matter. The passion is there and even if I in periods think it is gone, it always comes back. It took me a long time to dare call myself a photographer because to me it was a very loaded title. It means a lot more than owning a camera or taking photos of your friends. It is something you breathe. It is about capturing a feeling more than a motive to me. Always has been. I am very proud to call myself a photographer, but I do see many out there calling themselves a photographer which in some cases are as accurate as if I called myself a hairdresser cause I cut my friend’s hair once.
MPAP
Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
Fear? Hahaha. Well I guess it was fear mixed with gratitude and happiness to have found a big part of who I am. Or rather figured it out more than finding it. It was always there. I just needed that thing to push me over the edge.
MPAP
What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concert now and then?
I work mostly in music, but my answer would be documentary in general. I love capturing the feeling backstage or even the feeling of the music rather than the artists on stage if you know what I mean. Travelling a lot in work I very much enjoy travel photography with all that comes with in. The documentary aspect and the beautiful landscapes mixed with the roughness of the streets.
MPAP
Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
I don’t work much in studios. Not because I don’t think I can do it, I just think others are better suited than me. I enjoy capturing a moment more than creating it. However, a model shoot in out on the field when you can go creative with what is given to you in regards of light and such I enjoy to do. If I was only allowed to work in a studio I think I would feel like a bird in a cage.
MPAP
When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
As I said in the beginning it is a struggle these days with people carrying around their phones or people buying expensive cameras. It can be the same people saying, “of course you can take a good picture with a camera like that.” Sure, I can get better quality with a better camera, but I think you can see if it is a photographer picking up a phone taking a picture too. There is a feeling in that picture rather than it being 100% crispy clear. To be honest I quite enjoy taking really bad photos with my phone sometimes. Bad to me at least. Just kind of shut all the inner voices off and see what comes out. I struggle a lot and there is so much to say about this from different aspects such as the landscape today, coming from Sweden, being a woman…but I will not blame any of these things. They are my struggles and they do exist still to this day. The only thing I want to shine a light on is that I hope the photograph, I mean the document, gets back its status.
MPAP
On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
That I get to see so much and meet so many interesting people. Sometimes I have to step out of myself and what I do and look at it from another perspective. It is quite nice having artists like Nikki Sixx appreciating my photography or having Slash being concerned that I think Guns n Roses play a too long of set. Everything from flying with Bruce Dickinson, to drinking in The Houses of Parliament with Airbourne, to meeting Johnny Depp, to being stuck between two doors while being on tour with a band, or working the last ever show with Mötley Crüe. The Spinal Tap-moments are many and therefore the laughs are many. To me it is meetings with people rather than artists and I very much enjoy that. I also enjoy sharing a wedding with the couple and family or shooting a three-day event and actually get some normal office hours once in a while.
MPAP
When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
I want them to feel something. That is pretty much all I need to say about it.
MPAP
Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
I don’t get that inspired by other music photographers. I find my inspiration in everyday life, in movies and when I travel. Having said that there are of course photographers I really like. Nikki Sixx is a talented photographer, and I love the work of Randall Blythe of Lamb of God. They take photos that make you feel something. Otherwise I really like the work of Jim Nelson and Nick Brandt. Beautiful nature, animals and native societies. I follow some very talented people on Instagram. There is this photographer taking amazing self-portraits and she nails it every time. But if you look at my Instagram I mostly follow accounts connected to travel, coffee or dogs hahaha. For an inspirational wall I would frame art mixed with lyrics, some of my favorite photographers and then one or two photos each from my brother, my father and my grandfather. I wish I had something from my great grandfather to put on the wall as well.
MPAP
Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
Don’t do it! No, but honestly, I think it is very hard to tell someone how or what to do as there is a lot of feelings and experience connected to this profession. One thing I could say is, “don’t give up.” No matter how hard, at least you do something you love (most of the time).
MPAP
Now to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
Slash, backstage in Stockholm - I didn’t like this photo at first. I had very little time. I think I got seven frames in total. But the longer I have lived with it the more I like it. To me it has a calm aura in the middle of all the chaos I know was all around this moment.
Brent Smith, Shinedown backstage in Tampa, Florida - This band has the most amazing warm up before stage time. They all dance, wrestle, do capoeira if you will. They warm up together and then they all hug each other one by one before the crew rushes off to to their thing and the band collects their energy separately one by one. This is the singer of the band collected his energy. This photo feels very private in a way. I was almost scared taking it. I often say I rather miss a shot if it could jeopardize my relationship with the band/person and get it later when that trust is fully built.
Road in Joshua Tree National Park - This is a “nothing”-photo really. But to me it means a lot. I took it on a very special trip, it kind of symbolizes the everlasting journey you both do as a band and as a person. It ended up on the photo book I made together with Opeth that I named “The Perpetual Journey”, both after a cover song they made and after the reality as a band.
Chris Cornell, Soundgarden - A voice of wonder and a great loss to the world of music.
COFFESSIONS: Robb Flynn, Machine Head at Lydmar Hotel, Stockholm- Thought we might need some color as well. Most of my live photos are really colorful actually. I have an ongoing project called “Coffessions”. It is basically artists drinking coffee, the new “drug of choice”. This is a metal singer in a very soft and warm environment. I just love the contrast of this photography.
Josh Rand & Corey Taylor, Stone Sour at Nobis Hotel, Stockholm.
Nikki Sixx, Mötley Crüe/Sixx:A.M. at Farang, Stockholm.
Ed Sheeran - Big arena gigs are always hard to shoot. But I like this photo of Ed Sheeran even though it is far from technically perfect.
MPAP
Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
Same again, the feeling. You can achieve that with how you compose the photo, how the light falls, your timing and such. Either way that is what I think makes it good much more than if it is just crispy clear or has cool colors of effects.
MPAP
After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
Watch videos of sloths and drink coffee…Well I am not that sad, but I come close, haha. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love to travel and enjoy good food. To relax, I binge watch Netflix or bake.
MPAP
Before we bring Behind The Lens to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
This day and age it is quite hard to imagine that someone has never taken a picture. But there is something completely different in taking a photo with an actual camera rather than a phone. So, for first time camera users I would say: “learn your tool and have fun with it, because it is you taking the photo, not the camera.”
MPAP
On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
Thank you so much! It is great that you want to show the people what makes the machine go around.
You can find me on Instagram under tstephansdotter, on Facebook under Stephansdotter Photography and for my home page visit www.stephansdotter.com. If anyone is interested in more of my work I am also the editor-in-chief of an online rock magazine with the most exclusive content in Sweden called Rocksverige. www.rocksverige.se and Rocksverige on Facebook and Instagram. We also have an interview show on the radio (and online) called The Enemy and we will soon have a tv show as well. We interview people like Slash, Corey Taylor, Nikki Sixx, Billy Gibbons and many others.
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©metalpulpandpaper
Hello Theres Stephansdotter. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Metal Pulp And Paper’s feature called Behind The Lens. We appreciate it.
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
That is a question that has always been tricky for me to answer. It wasn’t a certain day or even a year I "became" a photographer. Photography is in the blood, I am the 4th generation of photographers in my family so I guess it has always been a part of me. However, it took a life changing crisis for me to get courage enough to go for it. I have now been doing it pretty much full-time for about five years, but it has been with me a lot longer than that. I guess there are two different kinds of photographers. Those who enjoy it, study and develop their skills and those who just kind of have to shoot. I am the second. I see pictures in everything. Sometimes it has been so hard to work with this that I have wanted to stop. But I simply can’t. I just have it in me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, I love it, but I think everybody, at some time or another, feels that they sometimes just want to give up. That your talent or hard work seems to go unnoticed to the world. It is a tricky landscape these days where people stare themselves blind at money. If their friend has a camera, why pay a photographer? Hence being a part of killing what to me is a noble profession and make people used to bad quality by not showing them what good quality is. Even when I worked as a journalist and wrote pieces it was always the photo pulling me into the articles I read. I think the photo is a very powerful entity.
MPAP
What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
I guess my previous answer kind of answered this too. I see inspiration in everything.
MPAP
Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
I am definitely driven by my passion for it rather than anything else. It isn’t easy, it isn’t good money and it can be pretty thankless. Doesn’t matter. The passion is there and even if I in periods think it is gone, it always comes back. It took me a long time to dare call myself a photographer because to me it was a very loaded title. It means a lot more than owning a camera or taking photos of your friends. It is something you breathe. It is about capturing a feeling more than a motive to me. Always has been. I am very proud to call myself a photographer, but I do see many out there calling themselves a photographer which in some cases are as accurate as if I called myself a hairdresser cause I cut my friend’s hair once.
MPAP
Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
Fear? Hahaha. Well I guess it was fear mixed with gratitude and happiness to have found a big part of who I am. Or rather figured it out more than finding it. It was always there. I just needed that thing to push me over the edge.
MPAP
What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concert now and then?
I work mostly in music, but my answer would be documentary in general. I love capturing the feeling backstage or even the feeling of the music rather than the artists on stage if you know what I mean. Travelling a lot in work I very much enjoy travel photography with all that comes with in. The documentary aspect and the beautiful landscapes mixed with the roughness of the streets.
MPAP
Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
I don’t work much in studios. Not because I don’t think I can do it, I just think others are better suited than me. I enjoy capturing a moment more than creating it. However, a model shoot in out on the field when you can go creative with what is given to you in regards of light and such I enjoy to do. If I was only allowed to work in a studio I think I would feel like a bird in a cage.
MPAP
When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
As I said in the beginning it is a struggle these days with people carrying around their phones or people buying expensive cameras. It can be the same people saying, “of course you can take a good picture with a camera like that.” Sure, I can get better quality with a better camera, but I think you can see if it is a photographer picking up a phone taking a picture too. There is a feeling in that picture rather than it being 100% crispy clear. To be honest I quite enjoy taking really bad photos with my phone sometimes. Bad to me at least. Just kind of shut all the inner voices off and see what comes out. I struggle a lot and there is so much to say about this from different aspects such as the landscape today, coming from Sweden, being a woman…but I will not blame any of these things. They are my struggles and they do exist still to this day. The only thing I want to shine a light on is that I hope the photograph, I mean the document, gets back its status.
MPAP
On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
That I get to see so much and meet so many interesting people. Sometimes I have to step out of myself and what I do and look at it from another perspective. It is quite nice having artists like Nikki Sixx appreciating my photography or having Slash being concerned that I think Guns n Roses play a too long of set. Everything from flying with Bruce Dickinson, to drinking in The Houses of Parliament with Airbourne, to meeting Johnny Depp, to being stuck between two doors while being on tour with a band, or working the last ever show with Mötley Crüe. The Spinal Tap-moments are many and therefore the laughs are many. To me it is meetings with people rather than artists and I very much enjoy that. I also enjoy sharing a wedding with the couple and family or shooting a three-day event and actually get some normal office hours once in a while.
MPAP
When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
I want them to feel something. That is pretty much all I need to say about it.
MPAP
Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
I don’t get that inspired by other music photographers. I find my inspiration in everyday life, in movies and when I travel. Having said that there are of course photographers I really like. Nikki Sixx is a talented photographer, and I love the work of Randall Blythe of Lamb of God. They take photos that make you feel something. Otherwise I really like the work of Jim Nelson and Nick Brandt. Beautiful nature, animals and native societies. I follow some very talented people on Instagram. There is this photographer taking amazing self-portraits and she nails it every time. But if you look at my Instagram I mostly follow accounts connected to travel, coffee or dogs hahaha. For an inspirational wall I would frame art mixed with lyrics, some of my favorite photographers and then one or two photos each from my brother, my father and my grandfather. I wish I had something from my great grandfather to put on the wall as well.
MPAP
Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
Don’t do it! No, but honestly, I think it is very hard to tell someone how or what to do as there is a lot of feelings and experience connected to this profession. One thing I could say is, “don’t give up.” No matter how hard, at least you do something you love (most of the time).
MPAP
Now to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
Slash, backstage in Stockholm - I didn’t like this photo at first. I had very little time. I think I got seven frames in total. But the longer I have lived with it the more I like it. To me it has a calm aura in the middle of all the chaos I know was all around this moment.
Brent Smith, Shinedown backstage in Tampa, Florida - This band has the most amazing warm up before stage time. They all dance, wrestle, do capoeira if you will. They warm up together and then they all hug each other one by one before the crew rushes off to to their thing and the band collects their energy separately one by one. This is the singer of the band collected his energy. This photo feels very private in a way. I was almost scared taking it. I often say I rather miss a shot if it could jeopardize my relationship with the band/person and get it later when that trust is fully built.
Road in Joshua Tree National Park - This is a “nothing”-photo really. But to me it means a lot. I took it on a very special trip, it kind of symbolizes the everlasting journey you both do as a band and as a person. It ended up on the photo book I made together with Opeth that I named “The Perpetual Journey”, both after a cover song they made and after the reality as a band.
Chris Cornell, Soundgarden - A voice of wonder and a great loss to the world of music.
COFFESSIONS: Robb Flynn, Machine Head at Lydmar Hotel, Stockholm- Thought we might need some color as well. Most of my live photos are really colorful actually. I have an ongoing project called “Coffessions”. It is basically artists drinking coffee, the new “drug of choice”. This is a metal singer in a very soft and warm environment. I just love the contrast of this photography.
Josh Rand & Corey Taylor, Stone Sour at Nobis Hotel, Stockholm.
Nikki Sixx, Mötley Crüe/Sixx:A.M. at Farang, Stockholm.
Ed Sheeran - Big arena gigs are always hard to shoot. But I like this photo of Ed Sheeran even though it is far from technically perfect.
MPAP
Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
Same again, the feeling. You can achieve that with how you compose the photo, how the light falls, your timing and such. Either way that is what I think makes it good much more than if it is just crispy clear or has cool colors of effects.
MPAP
After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
Watch videos of sloths and drink coffee…Well I am not that sad, but I come close, haha. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love to travel and enjoy good food. To relax, I binge watch Netflix or bake.
MPAP
Before we bring Behind The Lens to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
This day and age it is quite hard to imagine that someone has never taken a picture. But there is something completely different in taking a photo with an actual camera rather than a phone. So, for first time camera users I would say: “learn your tool and have fun with it, because it is you taking the photo, not the camera.”
MPAP
On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
Thank you so much! It is great that you want to show the people what makes the machine go around.
You can find me on Instagram under tstephansdotter, on Facebook under Stephansdotter Photography and for my home page visit www.stephansdotter.com. If anyone is interested in more of my work I am also the editor-in-chief of an online rock magazine with the most exclusive content in Sweden called Rocksverige. www.rocksverige.se and Rocksverige on Facebook and Instagram. We also have an interview show on the radio (and online) called The Enemy and we will soon have a tv show as well. We interview people like Slash, Corey Taylor, Nikki Sixx, Billy Gibbons and many others.
©metalpulpandpaper
