Artist interview: Erika Hokanson

Flipping through pages of fashion magazines, any given ambiguous reader is going to give peculiar attention to the spreads and photos. Instead of focusing on the finished result, we decided to capture the person behind the camera. SoCo native turned NYC photographer, Erika Hokanson elaborates on how she got started, what inspires her shoots, and her personal advice to aspiring photographers.

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Southern California. Claremont specifically, which is not far from Los Angeles.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been photographing since I was young. I began considering myself a photographer when I got some formal training.

How did you get started?

After college I moved to New York. I started out in as a photographer’s assistant. I worked with some truly amazing photographers who taught me a lot about lighting and the professional world.

When did you realize that you were passionate about fashion photography, specifically?

I learned very early on that I wanted to be a photographer; as for fashion, I have known also for a while but it was affirmed when I first assisted on a shoot for Italian Vogue.

When shooting, what do you aim to capture and portray?

I aim to portray a narrative in a single image. That does not always happen but I hope to at least make a captivating one.

Who/what are a few of your most significant influences?

I am heavily influenced by movies from the 20’s to the 70’s. I have a love for anything vintage. I also get a lot of inspiration from being in New York and California. There are endless amounts of visual stimuli’s in both places.

Out of all the shoots you’ve done, which was your favorite?

One of my favorite shoots was the one of the Asian model in the vintage car. The car happens to be my fathers. This is one (of many) example caught on camera of how my amazing family supports my creative endeavors.

Besides the actual camera, what’s your most crucial piece of equipment that you can’t work without?

Sand bags. I am little prone to knocking things over.

Where’s your dream location to shoot at and with whom?

I would love to shoot with Guinevere Van Seenus in any location, although I would have loved to shoot on an old Hollywood set like in a Busby Berkley movie.

How would you describe your personal style?

That is a tough one because I feel like my style is ever evolving.