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An old Nikon in the hands of a young New York girl sparked a passion and a flourishing career. Marley Kate draws on her crazy party years, music and fashion as an inspiration. Her organic creative process is driven by an intuition towards light, colour and mood. We had a little chat to get to know the woman behind these fun and sexy shots.

How long have you been doing what you do?

I took my first photography class when I was 12 – during summer camp…I’ve been shooting ever since!

How did you get into photography?

My grandfather loved photography; when I was little my dad passed along one of his old Nikon cameras, from then I always had an interest in photography. I loved Nan Goldin’s work and started looking at her photo books and getting interested in other photographers.

How do you construct a mood in your shoots?

It all depends on the concept of the shoot – sometimes I want my shoots to have a lot of energy and just be crazy and fun, other times I want a shoot to be more sexy, or just have a quiet, more romantic feel. Music plays a big role in getting my models into the mood of the shoot – alcohol helps too, haha.

How much collaboration is there between you and the stylist on a particular shoot?

I like to have a lot of input from the stylist I am working with. Usually when preparing for a shoot I plan the whole thing out with the stylist. It is very important for me to be on the same page as the stylist, so we can work together and be a complete team throughout the whole shoot.

When you’re shooting a feature or lookbook how do you balance your artistic impulse with the client’s commercial concerns?

I will usually work with the client and explain to them what I think would look best for the shoot. I’ll shoot a lot of personal stuff as well as what the client is looking for – and show them both options at the end.

Your images are often elaborately constructed; the detail to the staging is amazing, how organically do these things come about?

My shoots are very organic – a lot of times I go into a shoot really not knowing what I want, but after seeing how a model moves, or their personality, the shoot just shapes itself.

Do you have a clear idea of what you want from a model prior to a shoot?

Usually I have an idea of what I want from a model – it all depends on the attitudes they come with.

A lot of your work features manipulated light that makes the images seem slightly ethereal, what attracts you to that sort of aesthetic?

I am attracted to beautiful light and colours, I don’t know how to explain that further than just saying I can look at a sunset or certain lighting and just have a deep feeling about it, and want to use it.

What inspires you?

Music, pop culture, other photographers, models, magazines, fashion, my parents, different fashion genres, kids, NYC.

Are you a New York native? How do you think living and working in the city impacts on your work and aesthetic?

I am a New York native; I grew up in Brooklyn and have lived here my whole life. Growing up here has definitely shaped my aesthetic, I am completely inspired by my teenage years – being crazy, partying, and running around the streets of NY – I think it comes out in my work a lot.

Do you approach a shoot differently if you are shooting men in comparison to women, how so?

I love shooting men and women. I think I have a similar approach to shooting both – just make them feel comfortable. I am known for showing the models how I want them to pose – which is probably easier for me to show the girls than the guys.

What are some of the biggest hurdles as a freelancer?

Just staying motivated and hustling everyday. As a freelancer, no one is there pushing you except for yourself – having the motivation and love for photography is what is going to get you where you want to be. Being a workaholic helps too.

To check out more of Marley’s portfolio head this way.