Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Bahat.
Hi Tami, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I fell in love with photography at a very early age, though it took me a little time to figure out exactly which photographic direction I was most passionate about. Once I discovered the “fine art” angle, the rest was history.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been beautiful, with all its twists and turns. I think the most challenging yet rewarding parts have been the ones where I’ve pushed myself and set aside any doubts to accomplish things I’m proud of.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love creating unique worlds through portraiture. Interacting with another person through photography is an intimate experience that I live for. My most-involved series to date, Dramatis Personae, stages models in Renaissance through Victorian times using period clothing, antique props and furniture, and occasional animals. Although I plan out all these elements for the shoots, there is a considerable amount of improvisation and many discoveries that occur, and this is what is most wonderful. It’s incredible to watch someone transform while in these clothes and still show so much of themselves through the “character”.
I’m most proud of the body of work I’ve created thus far, as it represents taking all the risks and challenging myself to carry through with ideas. Life is a bit of a mystery and I’ve always had an ongoing curiosity to understand more and to express myself as fully as possible through art, deep connections and experience. I don’t usually compare myself or “compete” with other photographers, I just try to surround myself with great people and great artists and let the passion for their work inspire me. We are all so unique and everyone has something to add to the conversation. I believe that top-notch artists are best at conveying a point of view, turning their thoughts or passion into something that truly communicates.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m looking forward to continued collaborations, as that is what drives me forward and gets my mind going. I just worked with model Twinka Thiebaud again on a shoot since we had such an amazing time last year working together. Some images from our last collaboration appeared at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento this past June. Another wonderful woman I’m excited to work with again is Malka Nedivi, a multi-disciplinary artist in Los Angeles. We created a piece together during Covid and will be working together in the new year. I’m also excited that some work from my Dramatis Personae series will be showing in March at the MIA Photo Fair in Milan.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tamibahatphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamibahatphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamibahatphotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamibahat
