Luna Sweetheart: Logan Delaney
ELEGANT THOUGH BOLD - Logan Delaney has crafted an inviting and emotive artistic style. After exploring photography as a way to improve his cinematography skills, Delaney found a love for film photography. The creative has since expanded his talents, yet always captures his subjects in the most authentic nature. With the support of friends and family the artist has turned his passion for the arts into a growing career. Valuing the role of communication and collaboration, Delaney crafts meaningful shots, each echoing its own personality. Read below to learn more about his latest inspirations, what’s next and more.
LUNA: First things first, how are you doing lately? How's quarantine been treating you?
DELANEY: I'm feeling great. In the beginning I was very unsure about what my day to day would look like but I developed a great routine that's working for me. I made a fun abstract video for one of the many poems I wrote while being stuck indoors and I taught myself how to develop film and home so I've been stockpiling some awesome work. I thought eventually I'd get depressed but ironically enough, losing my 9-5 and treating myself like a 9-5 has proven to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life. I think the key to me staying sane and happy enough is to literally just sit back and embrace the uncertainty. I recognize I'm in a position of privilege right now when it comes to my health and living situation but it does help to pour yourself into something you love and give yourself space to feel like shit if you don't feel up to it. We need to be kind to ourselves right now.
LUNA: You got into photography in college and I’m sure it’s been a journey since then. Can you talk a bit more about the transition from taking photos for kicks to having it be your profession?
DELANEY: Absolutely. I had no idea what I was doing and no one really guiding me which led to some great self discovery at the time. I was extremely eager so I brought my digital camera everywhere with me and learned all I needed to know about digital photography. I remember on some shoots taking close to a thousand photos because I was never satisfied. I started shooting film after my dad gave me my first Nikon F3 and I never looked back from then. There were a few times I wanted to quit and felt like I wasn't good enough but I gained a lot of confidence in myself year after year and I eventually got to the point where I was getting noticed by different publications, other photographers I admired, musicians, artists, and people I really respect and looked up to. I didn't really have a mentor and I almost stopped doing what I loved because that road can really get tough but I never stopped and I'm so happy I didn't.
LUNA: I saw in your VoyageLA interview that a reason you got into photography was to help develop an eye in cinematography. What was this “process” essentially like?
DELANEY: I had to create a narrative project on black and white film back when I was a freshman in college and it was one of the requirements to get into the Film production program. I shot a ton and studied a ton of movies because all I wanted to do was create something as iconic and timeless as Stanley Kubrick's “The Shining” or a French film I love called “La Jetee”. Instead I created something sort of wild and slightly cringe but it never stopped me from shooting. I shot so many projects after that and it really helped me develop not only an eye for photography but an eye for motion pictures as well.
LUNA: How did you eventually find your style?
DELANEY: I just shot what I felt was cool; I shot what felt good to me. When I had no subjects to photograph I photographed myself. I probably have years worth of self portraits somewhere and I think trying new things in that aspect helped me think outside the box. Finding your style isn't about seeing what works for someone else on Instagram or whatever social media platform, it's about listening to yourself and trusting what you think is great work.
LUNA: What/Who has been inspiring you lately? (can be non visual artists)
DELANEY: The important women in my life, Japanese design philosophy, “Insecure” on HBO, and the way different garments feel and fit on me have all been things that I've been inspired by lately.
LUNA: You shoot digital as well, so what are the differences you notice in the way you approach a project when it’s film over digital?
DELANEY: I only shoot digital if I need to now. It doesn't fulfill me as much as film i'll be honest. Most times I approach film with a very loose shot list and just go from there. I go into shoots knowing what I want and it usually expands into something greater when I talk to the subject or whoever else is helping me out. I try to have my shoots be a free flowing dialogue and when everyone's on the same page, that's when I get my best work. It also helps that anytime I get film developed or develop it myself it feels like Christmas morning everytime; and you just can't beat that feeling.
LUNA: In the past year, what’s been your favorite shoot?
DELANEY: It's hard for me to answer that question because I've had a lot of favorites this past year, It's always changing.
LUNA: You’ve been open about the role of your family and friends supporting you to gain confidence in your work, so what advice for those wanting to get into photography but might feel discouraged?
DELANEY: If you want to get into photography I'd say never hound someone else about what equipment they use or what exact products to buy. There's no fast track to becoming a great photographer. Have some patience, get a camera within your budget and master the basics. Teach yourself lighting, photograph lots of different things, there's only one way to get good and find your style and thats shooting all the time. Don't stress or worry about how long it takes and don't compare yourself to anyone. Give it your all, listen to yourself and great things will come.
LUNA: You always capture your subjects’ energy - their face and pose always seem to speak volumes. How do you get your models comfortable?
DELANEY: Communication and intent is important. I wasn't always the best communicator when I was younger but I evolved over time into one from working so much with so many different people. It's about learning your subjects, reading them, and letting them know what you want and how you can achieve that goal. Over time I learned to approach all my shoots with intent and allow my ideas to mold and change as I go. I like to plan a lot and I quickly learned that nothing works as planned so it's important to learn how to get the best out of your subjects no matter what. Luckily over the years I've been able to get some really honest expression out of my subjects. It feels amazing when that happens.
LUNA: What role has collaboration played in your career?
DELANEY: Collaboration is essential for me. I do love taking control and getting all the shots I need but if I can't talk about my ideas freely with a subject and bounce them around, I don't feel as good about it. I'm not the type of person that needs to control everything or gets upset when things don't exactly go my way. Some of the best opportunities I've gotten have come from me collaborating on another project for another artist and eventually having them return the favor. I feel like that sort of collaboration creates a positive and healthy ecosystem for artists. We need more of that.
LUNA: What feeling would do you want people to feel when seeing your photos?
DELANEY: Anything and everything. If you feel something I've done my job.
LUNA: I know the world is kinda on fire, but do you have an upcoming plans you’d like to share? Or any intentions you’d like to ~speak into existence~?
DELANEY: Without going too much into detail, I've got plans for when quarantine is over that involve making more videos. Shooting stills has been great to me and it's not going anywhere but I have a deep passion and love for cinematography that I haven't given my all yet. That's the next step for me.
