Styleaholics, I had the wonderful pleasure of being able to catch up with fabo Fashion photographer and a very GOOD FRIEND OF MINE: PIPER CARTER.

Not only is Piper, just about one of the most refreshing and eclectic people you will ever meet, she is also extremely talented. She was also kind enough to photograph my models for my earring launch SALTE.

In this interview I catch up with her to discuss her participation in VH1’s The Shot and her future goals.

How long have you been a photographer and when did you know you wanted to be a fashion photographer?
I’VE BEEN SHOOTING FOR 17 YEARS. I STARTED IN 1992 @ HOWARD UNIVERSITY. WHEN I CHANGED MY MAJOR TO PHOTOGRAPHY ON A FLIP OF A COIN: MY GOOD FRIEND DALE DAVIS ASKED ME HEADS (FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER) OR TAILS (FASHION DESIGNER)?, IT WAS THEN THAT I DECIDED TO CHANGE MY LIFE’S PATH FROM DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHER.

Where did you study your craft?
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY WAS @ HOWARD UNIVERSITY AS APHOTO MAJOR, THEN IN DETROIT @ OCC & CSS AS PHOTO MAJOR, THEN IN NYC @SVA AS PHOTO MAJOR & THEN AS ASSISTANT TO STEVEN KLEIN, CRAIG MCDEAN &OTHERS, THEN FINALLY @ FIT PHOTO MAJOR

What type (s) of subjects inspire you?
HONESTLY I AM INSPIRED BY THE FRENCH NEW WAVE ERA IN CINEMA THE MOST & ALSO GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM & THE NORTHERN RENAISSANCE

How crazy was the selection process to be on The Shot?
I WAS ONE OF 10 PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WERE HAND PICKED BY RUSSEL JAMES
(INTERNATIONAL VOGUE PHOTOGRAPHER)

What was your best/worst moment on the show?
I CANNOT REVEAL MY ACTUAL BEST & WORST MOMENTS OF THE SHOW JUST YET. BUT LET’S SUFFICE IT TO SAY THERE WERE MANY UPS & DOWNS.

What is the most single important lesson you’ve learned about being on The Shot?
AFTER HAVING THIS EXPERIENCE I REALIZED I AM STRONGER THAN I THOUGHT & THAT I DO HAVE WHAT IT TAKES.

What’s next for Piper Carter?

1. TO ALWAYS GET BETTER AT MY CRAFT
2. TO WORK WITH THE TOP LEVEL TALENT IN THE INDUSTRY
3. TO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE PEOPLE
4. TO GET FASHION EDITORIALS THAT SHOWCASE MY EXPERTISE
5. I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVITED TO SHOOT IN OTHER COUNTRIES
6. I WOULD LIKE MY EXHIBITION TO BE SUCCESSFUL
7. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL, FLOURISHING FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER

STYLEAHOLICS YOU CAN FOLLOW PIPER CARTER’S ADVENTURES WITH HER WEEKLY BLOG: STUDIO ARENA

[tags]Styleaholics, Piper Carter, VH1’s The Shot, The Shot, Fashion Photography, Celebrity Events, Najwa Moses, Fashion Interviews[/tags]