ATF Interviews Fab Man: Steven Duarte
Check out the rest of the interview with Fab Man' Steven Duarte after the jump...
ATF: So what made you pick up a camera?
Steven Duarte: I started seriously taking photos three years ago after my house in Boston burned down in a fire. It was a real blessing that everyone made it out safe. We lost everything except for one box of old family photos. I remember looking through all those memories and it really inspired me to create new ones. So I started taking photos every day of my family and people in my life that I love. I never initially sought out to be a photographer in a lot of ways photography found me.
ATF: What makes your photos different from the next photographer?
SD: I’m still young in the game, so I’m developing the answer to your question. What makes me different from the next photographer is that I refused to be over worked by anyone. I’m always actively trying to improve my craft and develop my eye. I know my progression isn’t going to happen by itself, so I try my best to constantly challenge myself. Many photographers develop a style and can answer the question “what makes your photos better then the next photographer” but never improve or truly evolve. For me, its one part a gift from God and the other part is something inside of me that knows I can get better.
ATF: Who do you wish was your muse?
SD: Sade. First off she’s one of my favorite musicians of all time! Second, I want my photographs to emote the magic I feel when I listen to her music. There is a rich and self-reflective nature to her art and I aspire to have in mine as well.
ATF: Lets talk about your roots, where are you from… How does that play into your work?
SD: My parents are from Africa, my mom is from the Cape Verde Islands and My Father is from Eritrea. I think the fact that my father is an immigrant has really helped my work ethic. No one in my family is an artist, but I come from a family that works hard for everything we have. No matter what I do professionally, that work ethic is going to be with me.
ATF: What celebrity would you love to shoot nude?
SD: Amber Rose! Wearing only her sweat, blood and tears. I really would want to see her less clean and fresh then we’ve been seeing her in recent photos. I wanna show her the inner dirty side on the outside!
ATF: Do you prefer to shoot women or men?
SD: I like capturing both men and woman. There’s a vulnerability that I like to achieve when shooting. It’s like going to therapy, the first couple of sessions you’re bullshiting yourself and the therapist. Hopefully after a few meetings you let down your guard and get to the real shit. That’s what I want to achieve with the people I’m shooting. I hope to give them a platform to let that “ugly” side show, because in my eye, that’s when human’s are the most beautiful. I just love shooting people!
ATF: We know that you worked at Vibe. How did you feel when the magazine shut down?
SD: Totally surreal. I was working on the Michael Jackson Vibe Tribute issue the night before vibe shut its doors. Losing Michael and Vibe, two very significant parts of my childhood, was difficult. When I heard the news, I wasn’t surprised. We all saw it coming with the budget cuts, but we didn’t know when. Same with Michael - we all saw it coming.
ATF: We Love Melanie Fiona here at ATF, what is your connection to her?
SD: I met Mel while I was VIBE, we really hit it off and quickly realized we had a lot in common. What I love about her is that she is a timeless artist in a world of trends. I really appreciate her beautiful spirit in my life and soon enough the entire world will too! I’m excited for debut album “The Bridge” to drop this September. Love, love, love Melanie!
ATF: What is the difference between an event photographer and yourself?
SD: One is an artist and one is not. (laughs)
ATF: That was very blunt.
SD: It’s the truth, anyone can just point and shoot a camera.
ATF: Now what are some words of advice to up and coming photogs...
SD: Be open to criticism, take 40 percent of it, throw the other 60 away. Because it’s your vision and you have to live with it. I know it’s difficult, but don’t compare yourself to other photographers… you’ll only be discouraged.
ATF: Tell us something most people don't know about you...
SD: Do we have enough room for that? (laughs) Photography is not the end all be all for me. There are bigger things in the world that I care about, like right now I’m currently working and developing an online documentary series titled "HeyeV” (twitter.com/HeyeV) focused around the lives of people with HIV living and thriving in New York.
ATF: So where do you see Steven in 5 years?
SD: In 5 years I pray to be healthy and able. Everything else will be what its suppose to be. It has already been written.
Ideal play list for a photo shoot
“Beautiful “ – Snoop Dog
“From 93 till Infinity” – Soul Mischief
“Sweetest Taboo” – Sade
“Scream” – Timbaland
“Dead Presidents” – Jay Z
“Give It To Me Right” – Melanie Fiona
“He Loves Me “ – Jill Scott
“Sexy M.F” – Prince
“Black & Gold” – Sam Sparrow
You can check out more of Steven Duarte here
Brandon Hines from Duarte on Vimeo.
