The Woman Behind The Camera, Bliss Braoudakis
Introduce yourself. How did you get started? What’s your story?
My name is Bliss, which is a passed down name in my family. I was rooted in art early on in life thanks to my creative mother and my skillful Greek father. I grew up between the South and Midwest, often moving around and experiencing new chapters on my own. Living in Chicago caused me to admire architecture and find the path I wanted within the fine arts. Painting was a frequent habit of mine - it felt tangible and therapeutic for me - but the intention of doing it for a living didn’t bring me peace. Photography found me in my teen years through a gifted 35mm point-and-shoot camera, which was a brand new narrative for me. My kinship with taking pictures began with candid analogue film stills of nature and my adolescent friends. The ability to be a storyteller through images was such a preface to what I deeply desired and needed in my life. I now live in Los Angeles and shoot fashion, product and interior photography full time.
What inspired you to go into your field of work?
The in-between, honest moments. The feeling of pausing a second from my personal perspective. Capturing a moment and receiving a reaction from the viewer is kismet. There is a responsibility as an artist to access your subject’s charm and give space to their emotions. Being trusted with this responsibility is such a gift. Patience, connection, and trust are the keys to my process.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Trying to maintain the mindset of art as a personal intention, rather than work. Art in any sense is personal for me, including photography. I began with the ethos of not desiring an ‘industry mindset.’ To this day, I continue to keep it playful despite photography being my career. Social media causes an unconscious obstacle of what others think of us, so letting go of opinions and getting back to the pre-cell phone artist I once was has been a journey on its own. I can’t go backwards, so I'm looking forward to what is ahead.
What is your favorite part of your workspace; how do you make it your "own"?
Simplicity. I live out my life documenting natural beauty, creating with less, and making most areas of my life an extension of my inner myself; not overthinking it all. I live in an aged, beautiful space. and I try to design things intentionally that keep me inspired daily. These days, allowing quietness to come in more often and accepting seasons of rest for my health and clarity. As a photographer, everything is collaborative. Some days, I am asked to serve the client’s ideas, but, more often than not. I am told to go with my own vision, which is a beautiful thing. Regardless, I always keep spontaneity within my work and leave room for moments to happen naturally.
When you find yourself in a creative “rut”, how do you break out of it?
Creative energy is a labor of love. At times, it’s a bouquet of satisfaction, conceptualizing, doubt, and burnout. After 16 years of taking photos, I’ve finally learned to slow down when I feel at a loss. Additionally, learning to kindly say “no” was a big lesson for me. A lack of creativity is often an extension of working with something that I don’t feel connected to or not being valued for my personal shooting style. Looking at the bigger picture has made all the difference; gratitude can fix almost anything. □
Article Credits:
Photography: Bliss Braoudakis
Instagram: @blisskatherine
Website: www.blisskatherine.com
