Chances are, you’re probably not working as hard as Crystal Vinson. She’s editor a quarterly arts and music magazine called Pork and Meade, she directs stylists, hair/makeup artists, models, and assistants for every class assignment at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, she just received an artist in residency in Detroit put on by Red Bull, and she’s about to graduate and move to NYC to work for stylist Kim Moody. Baller.

Crystal shared some words with photography 101 class on Skype today. She also answered a few questions we discussed in class. Thank you so much, Crystal!

Name: Crystal Vinson

Currently based: Detroit, MI

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Degrees: BFA in Progress – College for Creative Studies

Occupation: Student, Photographer, Gallery Assistant

Years active: 6

Thoughts on your individual process: 

I keep a tear book, and I’m always adding to it. For commercial/fashion I develop an idea, book a team and shoot. I have a lot of control in the studio, and I know what I want and how to achieve it. With my fine art/mixed media work, I get a general idea, and than dive in. No control, no plans, I just do it. I make mistakes, I have happy accidents and I work things out. I like the freedom I allow myself in this kind of work.

Thoughts on the meaning or message in your work:

I don’t often plan for meanings and messages in my work. I create, and then decide what it means to me. The process, the hours and the experience I put into my work, factor into what it means to me afterwards. When I conceptualise before hand, it never turns out how I wanted anyways. So I create first and explain later.

What was the inspiration for the photograph (and the extended body of work) featured in the latest issue of American Photo on Campus?

I had an assignment to photograph someone in a way that showed a significant happening in their life. Whether its an experience, something they did or felt or went through… If it was significant to them, we had to find a way to photograph it. I chose my roommate Charlotta. She went to Italy, from Sweden, left her job, her life, her friends and family, all so she could change things up. She felt like she was becoming a drone in her own life and she needed a change. It was almost a reminder to her, to not let her life and her happiness fall by the waist side again.

Is this work different from your other photographic projects? If so, how?

Yes. Before Italy I mostly shot fashion. But in my new environment, I had nothing available to me, and surprisingly, their is a huge model shortage in Florence… So I shot what I wanted, in the most simple ways possible.

How do you balance commercial and portrait work with non-silver processes and tactile mediums to relay your message?  Do the two methods influence each-other?

I don’t think I balance the two types of work, I think it balances me. I need to have a lot of control over my fashion stuff. Hair, makeup, models, wardrobe styling, lighting and editing. I know what I want and what look I’m going for. When I do fine art work, mixed media stuff, transfers and alternative processes, there is zero control. I let everything go, and the freedom in that is great. Don’t get me wrong, there is freedom and tons of creativity in Fashion, but for me, its a bit more structured as there is lots of planning and I’m not only shooting for myself, but the models and the whole team involved.

Can you speak a little about your other projects, ie; Pork and Mead Magazine, and any marketing/social media strategies you might have.

Pork & Mead is my brainchild… I started it last year because I felt it was so hard for artists and musicians that aren’t well known and hadn’t yet developed a huge fan base, to be seen in publications. I wanted to create an outlet for every artist, band, writer etc. so they could be seen and heard. Its a quarterly magazine, and Ive been able to build up a dedicated and talented group of people that help me put out each issue, from Editors to Designers. As far as marketing and social strategies, first and foremost, you must have a website. How will anyone find you and your work if you don’t have a website? People wont look to hard, or dig to find your stuff so its always best to make it easy. Make the website simple, don’t use weird/cheesy domain names like, imageandcapture.com or photoeffects.com. It really should just be your name. If people Google my name, they fine everything they need. Just keep it simple. Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr…etc to get you and your work out there. I have to be my own advocate, nobody else will push my work.

What are the top three most influential things in your life right now and what advice can you give students entering the photographic world?

My friends, for one. I surround myself with talented people who all work hard and do anything to create. We feed off each other and we push each other and when we start doubting ourselves, and slacking, the other is there to kick our butts back into gear. Another thing that influences me and my work are magazines. I read everything, from Vogue, to Juxtapoz and all sorts of Photography magazines. You need to be aware of what’s going on around you. Know the artists in your field, past and present. The third thing that is really influential right now are vintage photographs. I love looking at old images, of Gypsy’s, paranormal activity, old black and white images from the early 1900′s… The imagery fascinates me, and I want to re-create it.

My advice to students just starting out is to shoot everything. Shoot what you love and shoot a lot of it. Build a portfolio, make a website and keep your standards high. Do not settle for sub-par work. If you’re given an assignment from your teacher that you think is boring, make it into something you can love. I shoot everything, making sure it can be used in my portfolio. Surround yourself with others who are driven and talented because they will help push you to do better. Find internships, assist photographers and even assist your friends’ shoots. There is always something to be learned from how others work.