HOW TO SHOOT A WOLF (THE VORACITY SERIES): Anna Williams is the photographer behind the "Voracity" Series. The pictures (above) are from one of my favorites of the series, the "How to Shoot a Wolf". Here, an Interview with Anna.
WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND "HOW TO SHOOT A WOLF"? This shoot was inspired by MFK Fisher's book, 'How to Cook a Wolf. "The "Wolf" is the Hunger that creeps into the daily life of those that lived post World War II and during the time of food rationing... the 'wolf' is a metaphor for hunger.
YOUR VORACITY SERIES WAS BORN BECAUSE? The series came out of a desire to explore a more creative way of shooting. I've always loved shooting for magazines, but they have their own needs and direction, so I wanted to assign myself the kind of stories that would push me to the next level. Almost like, I wanted to regain control of my own career by exploring some of my own ideas and own vision. It has also pushed me on a technical level; finding new approaches to light and mood, which has also helped me in my commercial work.
HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR THIS? We produce these shoots just like any other shoot—mainly it depends on the availability of all the artists we call in to work on it. It is always a big team and so the dates all have to line up.
WHAT WAS YOUR VISUAL INSPIRATION FOR THE WOLF SHOOT? I met with the stylists, Pamela Duncan Silver and Heidi Johannsen (one of the creative forces behind Bellocq Tea), and we talked a lot about that feeling of what it must have been like at home during the wartime. That feeling of longing and worry, it is a little darker. So it is almost like a period piece, both in the sets and in the emotion. And MFK Fisher's book does have some of that darkness of feeling, but approaches it in such a rich way. The way she wrote was so beautiful, that even in the most difficult times there was this light that just shined through.
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HOW TO SHOOT A WOLF:
Photographs: Anna Williams Prop Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver Food: Heidi Johannsen Art Direction: Mason Adams.
Anna's work can be seen here. To see the others in the Voracity Series click here.
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ANNA WILLIAMS: was born in Richmond, Virginia, and studied photography at the University of the South. After shooting for commercial clients all over the world, in 2010 Anna launched her project 'The Voracity,' an exploration of her personal vision. When she's not looking through the lens, she is racking up the frequent flier miles with her husband and 2 young kids, Novie and Hugo.