Untamed Magazine
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PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEW
SARA J.
GRIFFIN
SENSUAL IN FILM
A force behind the lens.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara J. Griffin is currently based out of Phoenix, AZ, where she specializes in portraiture and event photography. including weddings. Her roots are firmly planted in Fine Art, particularly black-and-white film photography, and her creative practice extends into figure art and multimedia work.
With a longstanding fascination for the human form, Griffin brings together photography, experimentation, and fine-art sensibility to create imagery that feels dramatic, cinematic, intimate, and deeply personal.
STORYTELLING
Tell us the story behind one image you'll never forget.
"BUG"
I believe this was taken during the first session I photographed with this model - a fellow classmate at the time. This was the first time I was using this style of lighting -ambient through a “cookie cutter”. She lie on the black plexiglass and I maneuvered around her. I was shooting formally and aiming to keep the model anonymous.
I looked for abstractions, but couldn’t resist some of the beautiful figural compositions that were being revealed to me. The light caught her pose in such a way and reflected her little bug tattoo on the black plexi. You couldn’t see it on her body at the angle it was shot at, but you could see it in the reflection. That little detail just made me internally ecstatic. I felt it added another dimension and fun to the photograph.
What do people feel when they see your work, and what do you want them to feel?
People feel struck, perhaps? (I’m not sure what people feel, everyone is different.) Hopefully they feel something profound, poetic, and touching on some deep, indescribable, sensual, intimate level.
What gear do you swear by—and what’s your approach to editing?
RE: Gear: it depends on conditions, vision, subject(s), and desired outcome.
(Film): I still like my Canon Cameras for film.
Nowadays if you are shooting film, you need access and a means of processing film and a high resolution scanner.
(Digital): Mirrorless is it now. I still like primes (I.e. 85mm 1.8 ) for very low light situations, otherwise I typically roll with my Sony A7iv, A7C, Tamron 28-75 /2.8, and Tamron 70-180/2.8.
(When I get the capital you better believe that I will upgrade to A7RV (or better) and some G Master lenses.)
For now what I have serves its purpose.
What’s a photo you’re most proud of, and why?
I’m pretty proud of all these babies, That’s why they needed to be resurrected so the world could see them. Within this series, I’m very proud of the couple photo: “The Caress”. I feel this takes intimacy to a new level. The hopeless romantic mind could develop a whole fantasy and feeling, while keeping it sensual and classy.
Process & Perspective
Walk us through your creative process—from concept to final edit.
Sometimes an initial vision strikes like lightning, then there’s a whole lot of percolation, time, and evolution that happens. Nothing is ever cut and dry!
How do you prepare for a shoot?
​Pre-location: I plan what I need for execution (especially if props may be involved). I get all gear ready, charge batteries, make sure I have the memory cards (or film) together, consider and test gear and lighting. When I arrive at the shoot site, I scan the environment for anything I can use. Somehow all the dots get connected and creativity unfolds.
Any rituals or must-haves?