Local Wolves Interview with Molly Olwig

LW: How did you get into photography and who or what inspired you to pursue it?

Molly Olwig: I’d always been taking pictures since I was young, whether it was on a phone or some point & shoot camera. Before I went to uni, I got my first DSLR, and I have to thank one of my best friends, Aubrey, for asking me to photograph live shows for his music website. Little did he know at the time he asked, I didn’t know how to shoot manual, so I was scrambling to figure out the mechanics of photography. I fell in love with the idea of freezing a moment because my memory absolutely sucks. I struggle with severe depression and anxiety, and photography’s always been that thing for me that gets me out of bed, gives me energy and keeps me creative.

LW: Describe your style and what makes you unique. How does New Orleans help shape it?
MO: If I have to peg a style to my work, I guess I’d say my images are a blend of editorial and portraiture.  The colors in my images are typically muted but bold, though I try not to get stuck in a particular style.  The way I compose or color an image changes based on the environment, model and tone I want to achieve. I don’t think anyone looking at my photography would be able to point to a photo and say, “New Orleans. For sure,” but New Orleans has certainly shaped me on a intrinsic level that bleeds into my photography.  New Orleans is bold and resilient, both in people, colors, architecture, neighborhoods and history. The way New Orleanians relate to me is directly related with how I aim to be with my photography — comfortable, confident and ever open and adaptable to change. 

LW: What does “Girl Power” mean to you?

MO: I’ve had the toughest time answering this question because “girl power” isn’t a phrase I’ve ever accepted at heart.  I feel that the phrase is problematic… it’s like someone telling me, “Oh, your photography is amazing for a girl!” No— if someone’s complimenting my photography, it’s going to be because the image is good not because I’m a girl.

LW: How would you describe the growing creative scene in New Orleans? And where do you see it going in 5 years?
MO: LOL, I don’t think I’m at a level where I can properly comment on the creative scene that’s included Louis Armstrong, Trombone Shorty, Brandan Odums and so many others, but I’ll give it my best shot (pun intended).  It’s definitely vibrant and growing. It’s hard to really capture the scene because I feel like everyone’s a creative in the city — musicians/singers/bands, painters, sketch artists, models, photographers, actors— I could keep listing but yeah, creatives grow up here, move here, travel through here and thrive here, and that’ll always continue. I could hardly begin to imagine where it’s going to be in 5 years. I’m sure the film scene will continue to grow as more shows and movies are coming here for sets. Photography has grown a ton because DSLRs seem more accessible.. seems like everyone has a DSLR because of Christmas or a birthday. The more the merrier. 

LW: Where are your favorite places to shoot in the city?

MO: I don’t have a favorite place, and I know that’s a cop-out answer but hear me out—  I play this game in which I make myself think about how I would handle a photoshoot if I had to shoot in a certain area. So if I’m walking and I see an alleyway, I would challenge myself to imagine how I could pose the model or what angles/styling/etc. I would use to make that alleyway the best place for a photoshoot. The game makes photography super accessible because I can’t afford studio equipment, stylists or MUAs. It encourages me to always be growing in my vision, and it trains my eye to see the beauty in any location. Of course, I’m not perfect at it, but it helps me to grow out of a closed-off frame of mind and into a perspective that doesn’t limit me to a “perfect” location — every location can be perfect.