Ira Lippke is a documentary photographer with a passion for capturing truth and reality. He has undergone one of the most unique documentary projects I’ve seen. He’s re-created his childhood in a “documentary” series of photos called “Lore”–a collection of photographs depicting what it was like for him and his brother living in the woods with this “hippie” parents (at one point they did upgrade to a school bus.) As Ira puts it, he wants this series to be “true” rather than exact. He’s hired actors to star as his mother, himself as a kid, and his brother as a kid, and his real brother stars as their dad. This idea of uncovering these memories and revealing what is true is part of what we’ll discuss in today’s insightful interview.
Ira’s a man whose work takes him to vastly divergent parts of the world. Ira also comments on what it’s like to be documenting poverty and despair in 3rd world country one day, then literally shooting a swank Beverly Hills wedding the next.He also straddles two coasts with a studio in Manhatten and in southern California. This is an interview that I think will open your eyes to the possibilities of stretching your eyes and your heart with respect to your art.
Today we continue our discussion with fashion and editorial photographer Piper Carter. As an African American female, making it in the world of the high stakes, high pressure world of fashion photography has its challenges. Piper shares what it was like in her career coming up through the ranks as an assistant (often times the only African American and/or the only female), and the trials that entailed. Or the interesting comments she gets now when she meets with ADs and other potential clients who didn’t know she was African American ahead of time. As we continue the discussion of African American themes, I get Piper’s take on the controversy surrounding the stereotypes in Tyler Perry’s films. Lastly, before I let her go, I ask her what’s the deal with soft-porn style ads of teen age girls in magazines like Teen Vogue.No matter who you are, I’m confident you’ll appreciate her take on these various issues, particularly he insight into Hollywood.
Today is part 1 of our interview with fashion photographer Piper Carter. Piper is the kind of person who tells it like she sees it. As an African American woman in the world of fashion photography, she’s had to grow a thick skin, step up to the plate, and do twice as good as her male counterparts, or Caucasian female counterparts, in order to get to where she is. In this segment of her interview, Piper shares how she started out as a theater major (dancer and performer) and Howard University, before changing her major to photography while a junior. She talks about the importance of being in touch with one’s culture, as well as being exposed to other cultures. And she gives us profound insight on the power of ideas. Be sure to tune in next week for part 2.
As I mention in this intro to this episode, it’s been a while since I’ve broken up an episode into two parts. I want to know from you what you think about doing that routinely. I’m toying with the idea of keeping the podcasts lengths to the 25 to 30 minute range. That would mean making many (if not all) of our episodes 2-parters. Tell me what you think.
Ira Lippke is a documentary photographer with a passion for capturing truth and reality. He has undergone one of the most unique documentary projects I’ve seen. He’s re-created his childhood in a “documentary” series of photos called “Lore”–a collection of photographs depicting what it was like for him and his brother living in the woods with this “hippie” parents (at one point they did upgrade to a school bus.) As Ira puts it, he wants this series to be “true” rather than exact. He’s hired actors to star as his mother, himself as a kid, and his brother as a kid, and his real brother stars as their dad. This idea of uncovering these memories and revealing what is true is part of what we’ll discuss in today’s insightful interview.
Today is part 1 of our interview with fashion photographer 
