Interview with a Vampire – Personal Project & Interview by Stevi Bean
Who is Stevi Bean?
I haven’t yet defined who I am. If I had to on the spot, I would say I am a wife, a mother, a photographer, a daughter. I’m both extremely organized and very scatterbrained. I talk a lot but I can be very quiet if I am studying you. I have an extremely sarcastic sense of humor and I am honest to a fault. I am constantly evolving and doing everything I can to be the kind of person my sons can be proud of.
Tell us about your photography journey and your style.
I began this journey when my mother bought me my first DSLR at Christmas of 2016. The following January, a friend asked me to capture her pregnancy announcement. I obliged nervously. After this, I reached out to a local photographer inquiring about photography resources and she invited me to a shootout. I was hooked and the rest is history. I try to keep my photography style whimsical and fun. I am loving learning new techniques and finding out the style that will eventually be my signature.
If vampires were real and you had the chance to interview one, what would you ask them?
If Vampires were real and I had the chance to interview one, I would want to ask how they acclimate to each new modern civilization through the years and what did they love most about each decade/experience.
Describe the perfect personal photography project you would like to complete if funds were unlimited.
There are so many projects I would like to do. That being said, I would say that the project I would most like to work on would be a full out workshop in multiple overseas locations with a diverse and unique wardrobe and full glam squad.
What is your favorite season and why?
I currently live in South Louisiana. We do not have typical seasons in the weather sense. Our seasons are pretty much boiling, not so boiling, and too cold for tropical blood. That being said, we like to categorize our seasons/weather by the food we prepare. Being so, my favorite seasons are Gumbo Weather and Crawfish Season.
Where do you find inspiration for your sessions?
Inspiration is everywhere. My most common resources are books, movies, my community, comics, and my children. I’ve also been inspired by textiles (rugs) and random things I’ve passed on the street.
Describe the perfect client.
The perfect client is friendly, outgoing and respectful. They book several times a year and are always encouraging, supportive and patient.
What is one mistake you did in the past that if you knew what you know now, you’d avoid at all costs?
I gave too much for too little. I confused my love with what I do for not being able to stand up for myself and draw clear boundaries. This caused some friction later on but I’ve learned speaking up for myself benefits more than just me. My family also suffers when I am giving away myself, my time, their time, and time I could be focusing on building a business that helps support us.
How important is the business side of this career? And why?
The business side of photography is crucial. You simply can not run a successful business without business knowledge. The very basics are necessary to begin and you should invest in knowledge for this aspect of photography just as you would editing tutorials and workshops.
What is your favorite quote?
“We’re all so frightened by time, the way it moves on and the way things disappear. That’s why we’re photographers. We’re preservationists by nature. We take pictures to stop time, to commit moments to eternity. Human nature made tangible. ”
-Kodachrome
Shoot inspired by Interview with the Vampire featuring The Cosplay Kids Shoot styled/planned/executed by Stevi Bean Photography Louis: Braedyn John Lestat: Ryder Pettitt Wise Claudia: Aubrey Elise Location: The Fairfax House HMUA for Louis: Christian Jewel HMUA for Lestat and Claudia: Makeup/Love by Stacey Beck
This article was featured in Summerana Magazine | November 2019 | The Composite Issue.