Libertine

In keeping with our mission to support and inspire creativity, we ask the artists we collaborate with to offer insight into their work, a look behind the scenes, and the opportunity for our readers to learn more about the process. For our latest fashion feature, photographer Lotte Thor answers our questions.
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What was the inspiration behind this shoot?
I was in New York. Whenever I’m there, I’m in love with the sparkling light—the sun bouncing off buildings creating pockets of light, the dramatic morning shadows in the big avenues. I was feeling the itch to do some kind of location shoot in the city. So I called my pals Lauren and Ingeborg and said, Let’s do something. We found our base at Centra Studios in Midtown and went from there.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Light inspires me, beautiful light. I’m fascinated by it, and I find it hard to not reach for my camera if I see a magical light. In general, I feel inspired after going to a museum and seeing real work in the physical realm (not just screens). I saw the Carol Bove exhibition at the Guggenheim in NYC, which I thought was amazing. Her book Collage Sculptures had me spellbound. I was adding them all to my read list—such an eclectic mix. In her metal sculptures, I love how she plays with the brutal vs. delicate, the ephemeral vs. the permanent. I’m inspired by contrast and tension between things in general. It’s all about balance.

What do you do to overcome a creative block?
Go on holiday and jump in the ocean, if possible. If not, put the phone away, go into nature. Read a book. Read a novel. Journal. Make scribbles on paper. Go analog for a bit. Feel the sun on my face. Disrupt the constant stream of input, or at least slow down the pace. Make sure there is some silence between the notes.

On Set Essentials: Water bottle, Manfrotto four-wheel camera suitcase, Contax G2; Pentax 67II; plenty of film; if in studio, STOOL WITH WHEELS!; comfy shoes. And always: a good attitude.