Unraveled Expert Artist | Tracy Vagg, UEA
Congratulations to Tracy Vagg on becoming an Unraveled Expert Artist!
Tracy is a lifestyle photographer based in Hobart, Tasmania Australia. She is married to her college boyfriend Nathan and is a mother to 3 wild ones who she refers to as 'The Rad Tribe'. But more than that, she is a storyteller who captures the beauty in every day life. She evokes deep emotion and seeks genuine connection in her images. Her work will leave you wanting to see more. The best part? Sheβs not just a photographer and thatβs it. She quickly will become your friend. She is kind, knowledgeable, and willing to share what she knows.
We are the luckiest to have her as a UEA, instructor and friend here at Unraveled. Learn from Tracy today by joining Unraveled Academy.
For more inspiration:
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Here is Tracy, Unraveledβ¦
What inspires your art?
My family for sure. I love watching my own children explore and show curiosity for the world. I want to document them in every aspect of their lives. Since losing my own mother suddenly, I know there will never be another image created of her and I and I want to leave my own children with as many moments as I can. The connections we share, our hugs, our hands and our love for them.
I love the idea of creating an image, seeing beautiful light stream through the window and watching it hit them in such a way that has me running for my camera and them hiding in another room to avoid yet another photo session with mum!
What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?
Nikon D750 and 35mm lens - this is my sweet spot and 'go to' for every occasion. I also have a 50mm and 85mm. I am learning to love my 50mm more.
What other ways do you express your creativity?
I have always been a creative person. I love music and can get lost in the lyrics of a song. I wish I had more time to cook but truthfully and to be honest my creativity comes out in my kids homework! When they come to me for advice or help I sometimes later reflect on whose project was that really?! I get excited by what we can create from a few objects or a few markers.
I also have a veggie patch that I try and be great at but I can lose interest really quickly.
How do you de-stress at the end of the day?
Life with 3 kids and a part-time job and what is evolving quickly into a full time photography business is tough! My husband is my voice of reason and sometimes a good chat with him over a cup of tea or sitting outside with a nice glass of wine is all I need to see the world through his rose coloured glasses again. And of course a catch up with my friends to de-brief on our day over a laugh is always therapy for the soul.
What kind of music do you listen to while editing?
It's quite varied depending on the time of the day. I don't discriminate when it comes to music and love everything from Fleetwood Mac to Eminem. I don't mind the same song played twice (or more). If I had to pick a few random artists in my current playlist you will find Tom Misch, Tones and I, Gordi, Mazzy StarMachine Gun Fellatio, Stu Larsen and Set Mo.
What is your favorite book?
The Husbands Secret - I could not put it down and I recommend this to absolutely everyone I know! I just didn't see the ending coming. I also really enjoyed The Philosophy of Andy Warhol. I love his quote and art.
Name one movie that inspires you.
Sabrina. The chauffeurs daughter falls in love with the rich boy who has no idea who she is and then her dad ships her off to Paris and she 'finds herself'. Its dreamy and the scenes from Paris are beautiful. I adore the old classics
I have dreamt of travelling there every since I was little and first watched this movie. I guess thats off the cards for now - f#ck you Covid-19!
How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?
It's tough and I don't always get it right. Sometimes putting the camera away on the shelf for a few days and picking up a book can help. I am a visual person so I love to flick through photo magazines and sometimes I draw inspiration from those. I love Pinterest and use it to create vision boards of work I lam drawn to and things I would like to try.
Self-doubt creeps in from time to time. She isn't a friend of mine and at those times I avoid the social handles. Sometimes a screen time break is a very healthy thing and while it's not great for your Insta Engagement, it is a healthy way to create clarity and space clear the mind.
What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?
Finding my voice with my clients in their homes and taking the lead. It's a really tough lesson to learn along the way but as soon as I did that - my confidence improved and I was trusting in myself and taking better pictures. Clients need us to tell them what makes for a better image and sometimes moving furniture around to suit the light is just what you need to do! Learning to say no when a client or job doesn't resonate with you is also tough. Learning to trust in the hundreds of hours I have spent on education and learning to use my equipment properly!
Putting yourself out there on a platform where you can be judged is hard and scary. I still find it difficult to call myself 'a photographer' but I am so proud of how far I have come and how much I have grown as an artist.
What is your favorite pizza topping?
Pepperoni and capsicum. Lots of both! I don't eat a lot of pizza. I am more of a taco kinda of girl.
What is your most favorite kind of light and why?
Low light, there is something about the last light of the day. Magic stuff just happens. Maybe the kids are a little less hectic and they are winding down or there is a calmness or stillness that I just love. And I love low directional light in a dark room with one light source like a window. A pocket of light can be so dreamy.
Who is one of your favorite photographers?
Hugh Holland. I love the whole skate scene from the 70's and the vibe and imagery he created. It's timeless. I actually want to get something of his and blow it up big in my house. Maybe in my kid's bedroom or somewhere cool where everyone can see it.
What is your favorite course or lesson at Unraveled?
The Beauty of Boyhood with Shannon Douglas. I now capture my son completely different to how I capture my daughters and it opened my eyes to a whole new view and take on documenting him. Shannon is amazing at doing this and I really try now with my own son to just let him be who he is and he is much more open to be photographed this way and nothing feels forced.
