Sean Litchfield
11/30/2011
Photography, Writing
Visual
- Sean LitchfieldWriting: Daniel Dorsa
- Age: 23
Location: Boston, MA
Website: SeanLitchfield.com / Blog
Sean Litchfield is an editorial / fine art photographer hailing from the northeast. Sean
tends to spend much of his time photographing human dwellings and spaces. I was
fortunate enough to talk with Sean and pick his brain about his work and his plans for the
future. 
- Alrighty, let’s start at the beginning. How did you start photographing?While it was a hobby as a kid, I started taking photography seriously when I was 16. Ithink I always knew, even subconsciously, that it was something I was interested in.There's a shoebox somewhere full of pictures I made when I was really little…I'd love tofind that.Your work seems to be greatly influenced by the New Topographics. Didphotographing in this style come naturally to you or were you inspired by thatmovement?I make a conscious effort not to think about my style when I'm out photographing. I dowhat comes naturally to me. Over-thinking these issues can get in the way of makinggood pictures so most of my influences are subconscious. Many of my projects come out
of simply exploring interesting places.Your series, The Tragic and the Picturesque American Suburb, had plans tobecome a book. You were working with Zachary Violette, an architecturalhistorian, to create not only a beautiful, but also informative publication. What isgoing on with that?We're still working on that. I stayed in the South for a month in Septemberphotographing for the project (and eating a fair amount of BBQ) and I'm really happywith how it's shaping up. We went there together for a couple of trips, but I think I justneeded to spend some time down there alone and for a longer period of time to take thework a bit further. Zachary is busy with a million other things but as soon as he has abetter handle on things, he should be able to pick back up with the writing. 
- What is your interest in human habitats/spaces?I think there's an innate human need to constantly seek understanding of ourenvironments, which I suppose is what my work is all about. I find the way peoplestructure their habitat fascinating, sometimes more so than the actual people living inthem. One of my favorite things to do is travel to a new place and figure it out.You seem to have a keen knack of creating interesting photographs with some of
the dullest of subjects. What grabs your attention when you’re out shooting?Thanks! I want to make very earnest photographs and I do that by paying closeattention to the details that go in to an image and how they interact with one another.It can be something as simple as the textures and the colors of a space, how the light isfalling on something, an interesting moment happening or the whole scene overall.Your projects tend to be pretty conceptual. How do your concepts spawn?Mostly just by never turning my brain off. My work is heavily influenced by the worldaround me and I'm always looking closely at things and asking questions. Like I saidbefore, going outside, with or without a camera, surely helps spawn new ideas. 
- What is photography to you?
For me, it's just a way to fix an image-it's more satisfying than drawing a picture. Ichose it as a medium because I like seeing things with my eyes first and then being ableto look at it more closely later on.What is the future looking like for you?
Well, I'm hoping to get more editorial work and see things happen with my new projects.Zachary is currently working on his dissertation research, but I'm hoping he can spendsome more time with the photographs and begin writing. I'm excited/anxious to see whathappens over the next few months.
Any shout outs, last words, or advice?
Making a living in this businessis too hard if you don't love what you do. Justphotograph what you love and what excites you. Find a way to relate to what you'rephotographing. For me, I work best in places where there's a prominent working classpopulation because it's where I come from and where I feel most comfortable, so I makeit work for me. 
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