Anna Godin | In Search of Teen Spirit
Continuing my series on 'In Search of Teen Spirit' I next headed to France, having spoken to Arvida in Sweden. There I met a young lady who's love for photography was evident to me through a small yet strong body of work. Once I saw the sign of talent and love for her work I decided to have a little talk with Anna Godin. She's sixteen and passionate, and I like you to meet her!
Hi Anna,
How old are you?
I will turn seventeen in January
Where are you from?
I’m living in the south west of France, on the Atlantic coast close to Spain.
What are you studying?
I study literature
You have your own blog?
Yes I do, I put all my pictures on! www.annagodin.blogspot.com
What kind of photographer do you like to be; what is your main attraction in photography?
I would like to touch to everything. I want to try all of the possibilities. Try all styles. I just want to take pictures over and over again. I want to fail, to hate what I start to go on again and again, to start a thing and continuing without endings, to do photographing forever and ever. I am really attracted by the fashion world, and pictures for commitments like some ONG or anything that can help, If I could do the both that would be amazing!!
I do not want it to become something that I HAVE to do. Want to keep it close to my way of thinking, being. I am not looking for perfection but for MY vision of perfection. I want pictures to give me emotions, to bring me memories, I want to bring them to life, to make them speak, I want them to be as touch full as attractive as the music that helps me to do them.
Is anyone else in your family a photographer, or artist?
None in my family are photographers; but one of my sisters is attending art school.
Does your family & friends support you?
Yes, my family and friends are very supportive. They push me, give me some advice, help me through my realization. I am very lucky about that. I know that if I have any doubts about anything they will be there and encourage me. Because even if it sounds weird, I don’t trust me or my art!!
Who are these people in your photos?
They are all friends my members of family. Friendship and family are very important for me, and I am not very good at expressing my feelings. I really think that photography help me to through it.
Is black and white your preferred method of representing your point of view?
I do really like black and white. It sounds more deep, and it represents my point of view. I see myself like a mysterious girl haha! The different between all the blacks and all the whites, is for me, very expressive and in the same time very enigmatic, unaccountable… This is really a different world.
Your last shoot was very intimate; and in color. Tell me a little about it?
This shooting, was a mix of doubts and confusions. Only improvisation. That was my very first real colors. I wanted an intimate mood around, light colors very pure, for a finish very simple and natural. So with my best friend and favorite model (Maëla Pagezy) we sort of improvised a little shooting; very simple, light, in joy and happiness with a “bon iver" for my music background!
Ever work in old film, and play in a darkroom?
I would adore to work in old film and as soon as I could it I would do it, I find that very interesting and really amazing.
Have you traveled? And what’s your favorite city?
Unfortunately, I never had the chance to travel. Or rather I never had the chance to travel the way i want to. I would like to cross the entire planet. To see everything possible to see: travel around Scandinavia, East Europe, the American continent, Africa too. If I could I would spend all my time traveling and discovering new things, new cultures…plenty of plans!!!
Do you like being a teen?
Being a teenager is something rare and unique. The period of every change, every new experiences. It is both exciting and scary. So I will say yes, I like being a teenager, to enjoy what I have, what is given to me till the end of it.
What do you think your generation is known for, or defined by?
I do think that my generation has a non exploited potential. I kind of regret this lack of interest that keeps growing around us. But the most scary thing is that the world seems to go upside down with no direction…
Let’s play the favorite game: Who’s your favorite:
Photographer?
I like many: Larry clark, William klein, Anton Corbijn, André Cypriano, Terry Richardson
Fashion Magazines?
Vogue, Glamour, Wound, Dansk, Citizen K, I-D
Model?
Maëla Pagezy
Designer?
Karl Lagarfeld, Yves Saint-Laurent, Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs.
Music genre or band?
I am very eclectic person when it touches to music. I really love Bob Dylan, David Bowie Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix Led Zepplin… they are my inspiration help and life genius.
If you take a look in my Ipod you will find Devendra Banhart, Bon Iver, MGMT, Soko, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Belle and Sebastian and even Chopin!!
Best advice you have ever received?
"cultive ton jardin et l'éldorado ne sera jamais trop loin"
[Take a good care of your garden and the Eldorado will not be far away….I have no idea if it actually means something in English but it basically means that patience is always the answer…something like that..]
If you can shout to the world what would you say?
If I could shout something I would ask everyone to be honest, franc, and sincere with themselves, with others and to pay attention with all happening around them, to try to understand the world and its surroundings.
Thanks you Anna, best of luck.
great work i love this blog, great interview btw
thank you Leo.