We’re just over a week out from launching issue #8 of Happy Mag, our very first photo issue. We were blown away by the entries and by the breadth of talent out there snapping away every day. One of our favourite picks was Savannah van der Niet, a Brisbane-based photographer and graphic designer.
Often working with film, Savannah’s photography is rich and vibrant, sometimes experimental and always immediately eye-catching. You might have seen her work in i-D or Frankie, or on your favourite local band’s Instagram, but her process also extends into photo essays and bespoke commercial photography.
We had a chat to Savannah about her love for film and how she defines success in art. You can see Savannah’s work in issue# 8 of Happy Mag, which we’re launching next Saturday June 16th.
We chat with Brisbane-based photographer Savannah van der Niet about the allure of film and defining success in art. See her work in issue # 8 of Happy Mag.
HAPPY: What drew you towards film photography when you were starting out?
SAVANNAH: I’m a child of the internet, as most of us are. I used to spend time trawling through imagery online and couldn’t voice what it was about the photos I saw that energized me and broke me with their fragility and gentle sensibility. I realised the thing these images had in common is that they were all taken on film. It was the grain, colours and feeling from these that made me buy my first camera. Though I shoot mostly digital as my schedule is mostly client work at the moment, my heart is still with film.
HAPPY: What’s your favourite part about working with film?
SAVANNAH: It surprises me constantly. I still get so excited getting my film back from the lab. I like to work with my hands on things that are tangible, and shooting film is the closest equivalent in photography. Negatives are something you can hold in your hands, pixels aren’t.
HAPPY: What’s your ideal collaboration?
SAVANNAH: I’m super interested in sociology and conversation. I would love to work on projects where I can harness photography as more photo-documentary work, or as a resource for people to experience catharsis. If I could really dream I’d say a portrait project for National Geographic, or any publication that might ask me to go and spend time in a world different to mine.
HAPPY: How do you personally define success as an artist?
SAVANNAH: Knowing who you are outside of your work, and being able to use your nature in your work.
HAPPY: What are you working on now and what’s next for you?
SAVANNAH: Lots of playing around at the moment! I’m working on a project shooting film stills for the first time at the moment, and experimenting with medium format shooting and creating small films on super 8.
You can see some more of Savannah’s work in issue# 8 of Happy Mag, which we’re launching next Saturday June 16th as a part of Vivid Live. You can RSVP here.
