A Conversation with Victoria Freeman ~ Viewing life through vintage lenses
Interview + Curation by Eric Smith
1. Hi, let’s begin with where you’re from and where you’re currently located and what type of photography you primarily shoot.
Hiiiii! I’m a transplant from a small town in Alabama, currently based in Portland, Maine. These days, I primarily shoot film, but I initially started with digital, and it’s always fun to dabble in that every now and then.
2. How did you get into photography? Do you remember the catalyst that influenced your decision to begin your journey?
I’ve loved taking photos for as long as I can remember. I’m a former wedding planner, and I always remember being behind the scenes and admiring the sheer energy and chaos of witnessing the photographers do their thing. In 2017, I started a side gig of taking portraits of friends and family, which quickly morphed into one of my favorite things to do. But nothing truly scratched that creative itch like just walking around with my camera and snapping scenes of nature that moved me. About a year later, I found my dad’s old Canon AE-1 and fell in love with the feel of film, which really changed and challenged my approach with how I saw things through the viewfinder. These days, I still occasionally do portrait sessions, but my true love is just leisurely shooting landscapes or any scene that feels like I’ll want to remember it.
3. What motivates you to go out and create? Do you find your photography at home is consistent with your photography when you travel?
I think the motivation comes in ebbs and flows, but keeping a camera close by at all times keeps me the most consistent. I work from home, so getting outside with a camera in my hands always feels like such a vital reset. There’s something so therapeutic about feeling the aperture ring roll back and forth until a moment truly comes into focus—it keeps me grounded. I feel the most like myself when looking through a lens. Traveling always fuels my urge to create, and taking photos along the way memorializes those moments for me.
4. What cameras, equipment are in your camera bag? Do you find that you stick with one camera, one stock primarily or do you like to mix it up?
Lately I’ve been on a big camera gear kick (rip my bank account), after just shooting with my Canon AE-1 for years. I love the Contax T2 for a primary point and shoot, and I recently just dipped my toes into medium format with a Hasselblad 500c/m. For portraits, I adore the Nikon F3—I’ve got a 50mm lens on there, and that bokeh really does it for me. But my favorite new toy is the Leica M6—I don’t think I’ve been anywhere without it since I got it a few weeks ago. As for film, Portra 400 has been a consistent go-to, and I always find myself reaching for that.
5. Can you share some insight into your creative process when looking for a composition or framing your photo?
I find composition and framing incredibly fascinating. Lately, I’ve been heavily inspired by Saul Leiter, Stephen Shore, and Vivian Maier. Also, I just adore seeing how different photographers choose to capture the same scene in new ways. I think we all know that feeling of seeing a moment just demanding to be photographed and being in a hurry to snap what you can before you miss it, and sometimes those end up being my favorite photos. But when you have the leisure of absorbing a scene entirely—lingeringly giving your full attention to different shadows and angles—that feels like sheer magic.
6. It’s no secret that music plays a big role in your day to day life. How does music play into your creative process?
Oh man, I’d be so lost without music. I took piano lessons as a kid, which I detested at the time, but it ended up giving me such a strong appreciation for the intricacies that go into crafting compositions. I think music carries us everywhere in life—in the car, on overhead speakers between grocery aisles, at weddings, at funerals—it’s always sneaking up on us, even when we aren’t actively seeking it out. I think of the creative process in the same way—it’s always there, sometimes it’s just background noise. Tapping into it is always evolving for me, and I try to not put any pressure on myself when I’m not inspired—but spinning a good album always aids in digging me out of those creative ruts.
7. Any music or band recommendations you care to share?
Dude, you already know I’m a sucker for anything Indie or seemingly melancholy melodies or lyrics. I oscillate with different genres depending on my mood, from rap to folk and everything in between. But my favorite albums are those that I can sit with and revisit when I need to tap into lyrics that feel like old friends. For me, that’s usually anything that sounds like sad dad rock: The National, Radiohead, Wilco, Fleetwood Mac. I’m always eager to discover new artists—that’s one of my favorite rabbit holes to fall down when shuffling while streaming. Lately I’ve been obsessed with Madi Diaz, Medium Build, Claud, Bartees Strange.
8. For many creatives, social media plays a large role in their careers, whether positive or negative. How would you describe its impact on your creativity?
For sure. It can definitely be an echo chamber of just highlight reels, but it can be really fun if we let it be. Constant comparison has the ability to be a big thief of joy (Big Thief is also a great band btw), but I so enjoy learning and staying inspired by other creatives, even when the creative juices aren’t flowing for me personally. Instagram has brought so many virtual film friends into my life, and I’m forever grateful for that aspect alone.
9. Do you have any other creative hobbies you’re interested in that people don’t see shared on social media?
I’ve recently picked back up playing around on the piano, and in my spare time I really enjoy creative writing or just getting lost in a good book.
10. Do you have anything creative you’re working on or excited about for the future?
I’ve been collaborating with a musician for artwork on her latest album that I’m super excited about—combining my two favorite things!
11. Since you are on the East Coast and recently visited California. In your opinion, which is the best coast?
Damn, this is a hard one. California is one of those places I’ve always wanted to visit, especially after having seen so many talented photographers capture those iconic landmarks. To be honest, I was weary it would be a bit overrated, but I ended up falling in love with my time there. San Francisco was brilliantly alive, and while I only stayed for a few days, I could have spent an entire month just roaming around with my camera. I think the East Coast may be the winner for me, just because geographically everything is relatively close up here. I live in coastal Portland, but I can make quick weekend trips to Boston or New York without having to spend hours getting there. Additionally, having grown up in Alabama, it was essentially hot and humid 90% of the year, so moving to New England and getting a dose of different climates and true seasons has filled my heart in every way.
