1. Can you please introduce yourself, tell us where you’re from, and how long you’ve shot on film?
Hey my name is Tabitha. Im a Dutch and French visual artist and contemporary dancer. I have had a passion for film photography for many years. This recent year I’ve really been plunging myself in it, experimenting while combining my dance passion in it.
2. Why do you like to shoot on film?
I think the colours and the feel it gives me are just so unique. The warmth of the sun and skin. Film is helping me to connect and tune into my emotions much more, making my images more intimate and pure. And I love how it makes me feel; the whole process of shooting, giving me the impression of being able to set time still for a second. Not knowing the final results, makes me value the image so much more.
3. What’s your favorite gear to use (camera, lens, film) ?
At the moment I shoot with my beloved Olympus mju II. I like the easiness it provides and I notice that I like to take risks in making it even more unlikely that all images will turn out ‘perfect’. Film: kodak and fuji
4. Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?
My answer to this question will likely change every time you’d ask me. But as I am now, today. Focussing on the self and being grateful of where I am at today.I choose this self portrait I shot in Paris. Taking a solo trip to refind my love for dance and my own voice in it. I can recall it very well, I was feeling all kinds of emotions and It felt so good letting them all out. At a ‘superficial’ layer I felt so extremely grateful and happy. But inside on a deeper layer I felt very sad. I felt sad mostly because I knew I had lost my strength my glow that I had with me before. I hated the image when I first got a chance to glance at it. I didn’t recognise my own face in it. I felt all the heaviness and sadness when I looked at it. But then somehow I felt the need to share it, because it was real. I took the image because I wanted to remember that moment for myself. It was the start of my now ongoing series; self portraits about self healing around MeToo and generally being a woman. Taking those self portraits makes me feel relieved, makes me feel free, makes me feel strong. And with every moment of low, capturing it, making the emotion glide into the photo and away from me. Today looking at this particularly self portrait makes me feel warm.
5. Exactly what it is you want to say with your photographs?
I like to make images that make me dream away, that trigger something inside of me. And hopefully in others too. A sort of atmosphere and intimate scene. With my self portraits I use it as a sort of therapy for myself. And by sharing I hope to be able to help others.
You can see more of Tabitha’s photos here.Give her a follow on instagram @tabithacholet
