Tantalum: Having experience in the professional fashion world, what is some good advice for photographers striving to work towards this level of accomplishment?
Nate Hoffman: Approach every assignment, job, or test as a chance to create the best thing you’ve ever done.
Tantalum: When shooting, you have the opportunity to see the visual outcome. What do you find to be the most difficult when bringing a team of artists together to create a cohesive look?
Nate Hoffman: I think the most difficult task for a photographer is keeping the team on track. Sometimes it gets chaotic working with amazing creatives who all have a unique vision and a lot of the time you have to put your foot down.
Tantalum: What or whom would you say influences your work?
Nate Hoffman: I could list countless other artists who influence my work but the common theme is always light and emotion.
Tantalum: When sending your work out for the world to see, what do you hope your element of the project says to the viewers?
Nate Hoffman: Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t worry about how people will perceive what you create. When I’m shooting, I’m not worrying about how other people will respond, I’m doing what makes sense to me.
Tantalum: What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out?
Nate Hoffman: Quit your day job!
Tantalum: Who took the time to teach you the art early in your career? And what was the most valuable lesson they taught you?
Nate Hoffman: In school, I had an amazing teacher who really stressed the importance of shooting what makes you happy, and shooting as much as possible.
Tantalum: As an editorial artist, what do you feel is one of the biggest mistakes beginners tend to make?
Nate Hoffman: Getting hung up on technical details and copying other people’s style, take your pick.
Tantalum: What are your words to live by?
Nate Hoffman: Life is too short to work with people you don’t like.
Tantalum: What have you learned from your experiences shooting high fashion spreads?
Nate Hoffman: See above.
Tantalum: How would you describe your artistic style?
Nate Hoffman: Moody, dark, and timeless.
