Lomography

Not just this weeks extraordinaire surfer / Lomo LC-A+ shooter but also contributing the first ever series “LomoPeople” and says, “I love to shoot people, to capture the moment, the good and the bad, the truth and the lies.” Take a look at Candice’s amazing work, lifestyle and photos. Then look forward to seeing her in the Lifestyle section again.

Name Candice O’Donnell
City Cornwall
Country England

Tell the community a little bit about yourself? What do you do for fun and is it the same thing you do for a living?

I am a professional surfer; traveling 90% of the year either to compete on the world circuit or to for fill sponsorship obligations. I guess you could say that I am getting paid to do what I love.

How long have you been a Lomographer or are you new to this whole thing.

I have always been into photography from a very young age, fascinated by the photo. I picked up my first Lomo Fish eye camera about 7 years ago, and loved shooting with it every time. I slipped in and out of using my lomo cameras until recently when I had the pleasure of shooting with the new LC A+. I was delighted to be lucky enough to have the opportunity to shoot with one of these bad boys.

Tell us about your project for the magazine “LomoPeople”. Where were you and who are the people you were shooting?

Bonjour
When I shoot photos I love to shoot people, to capture the moment, the good and the bad, the truth and the lies. These photos where all shot on a recent trip of mine in the South/west of France.
After competing at the Roxy Jam world longboarding championships, a group of us decided to stay on and rent a house for a further 3 weeks. The objective was to have a space and base in which to become creatively bold and indulge in each other’s energies as Artists, photographers, top moles, Pro surfers, filmmakers, and musicians. The talent was sometimes overwhelming.

What is an average day like in the life of a professional surfer?

Wake up, eat a good heartily breakfast, check the swell reports, go surf, keep up to date with sponsorship obligations, eat a good lunch surf again and then rest stretch and prepare for another day of surfing and adventure.

You take excellent portrait shots! How do you capture people in such a revealing way?

Thank you for the compliment. I try and shoot in a relaxed environment, work quickly and softly. Talking to my subjects in a positive way.

How did you like shooting with the Lomo LC-A+ and what did your friends think about your analogue camera?

I loved shooting with my LC-A+; the camera itself is so small and light, easy to handle allowing you to feel comfortable shooting with out feeling like your throwing a camera in peoples faces. Excited if not a bit nervous, I began to load film after film, not knowing if the images I had captured would ever be as I had seen them through the lens. My friends where of course all very envious, but I reassured them that they where welcome to shoot a roll whenever they wanted.

What was the strangest, funniest, or hands-down greatest photographic/Lomographic encounter you had while doing the series?

I must admit that shooting my friend topless in the busy street of France was the strangest moment, as I had to work fast and with out offending any onlookers, and at the same time keep my subject motivated and comfortable.

If you had to choose, which is your favorite photo form the selection and why?

If I had to pick one from this series id say the shot of top model ANOUCK LEPERE standing in the shore break at Hossygor. Working the camera as if she is flamboyantly looking at her reflection in a mirror. So freely and elegantly poised, relaxed in the heaving shoreline. Breaking free from the hustle and bustle of the model world Anouck took time out to chill with us, and be her self. Anouck swaps concrete jungle far from New York, Milan and Paris, for the sandy shores.

If your photo selection had a soundtrack what would it be? (3 songs title & artist please)

Artist= Billy Idol- Dancing with myself
Artist= OMD- Electricity
Artist= Warpaint, Beetless

What else is on the agenda for you? Anything you are looking forward to you would like to share?

At the present moment I am throwing myself out there creatively and experimenting in an array of projects, pushing my comfort zone and learning new skills along the way. Photographically I have started on a new series of portraits I am very excited about, and hope to share with you all very soon, so keep your eyes wide open.

Your advice to future Lomo LC-A+ shooters is?

Shoot with out boundaries and then break the rules. Each frame is a piece of history. The LC-A+ is your friendly handshake, be polite and shake back.