Conversations with ConFLICKteddd

Today we’d like to introduce you to ConFLICKteddd.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
The birth of ConFLICKteddd occurred upon receiving a Minolta camera as a gift from one of my best friends, Clumsy Moses. He told me verbatim, “I feel like you would do something dope with this camera.” He was right. It’s a full circle moment because I would use my phone to sneak and capture awkward photos of him doing whatever, like eating, just awful pictures of your friends type of deal.

Since then, I’ve captured some pretty good shots of him to compensate for my past trolling. But before that, I watched my grandmother capture family photos with the various cameras she used to have. She always had disposable cameras and eventually upgraded to a modernized digital camera (I can’t remember the model precisely). She has tubs of photos that she has taken dating back to when my mother and uncle were children.

Looking at the photos she had of my siblings and me, as well as our cousins when we were kids, it takes me back to the time when the photo was taken, where I then use my memory to the best of my ability to remember the events leading up to the photo. With my photography, I strive to continue that nostalgia of using film to preserve moments. I tend to remember the conversations/events before taking the photo, no matter who or what the subject is. I want to say I got where I am today by staying true to my authentic self, something many people struggle with; people tend to compare and contrast and place themselves in a fictional competition with others who do the same thing and whatnot. No one cares, yo. Just stay true to yourself and remember why you started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being creative is never a smooth road; you may or may not endure some figurative bumps/potholes on the journey; for one, photography is not a cheap hobby/career/whatever you make out of it, especially film photography, you have to buy the film, pay for development/processing. I am trying to keep up a daily posting routine, with the additional struggle of sitting and thinking, “How will I top what I posted yesterday?” and “How will I top my last showing?” while trying to outdo myself. Having a limited number of shots is also a struggle I deal with, whereas, with a digital camera, you get to take hundreds of photos without the thought of running out of space compared to a film camera, so I have to be precise and selective with my shooting. I can go on for days about the struggles, but I say that to say this. Despite these struggles, it keep me drawn to the unique look and process of film photography and finding triumph and gratification in overcoming its difficulties.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in film photography, mainly portraits; I try to help people candidly discover their “other good side.” The side they don’t usually get to see. In addition to portraits, I also enjoy shooting concerts, wrestling events, everyday life. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I have my own perspective on things and what makes it unique, is the letting the public develop their own perspective through my images. No pun intended. Im gonna loosely quote Ghostface Killah here and say “It’s art, It’s no frets over here if people don’t get it, considering the fact that they didn’t press the shutter, I took the image therefore I know what I was going for in that moment”

Before we go, can you talk to us about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
People can work with me by reaching out via Instagram and email. Supporting me costs nothing but time, and I ask you to use that time to like/share a photo of mine. I’m always willing to collaborate; I can only take it as seriously as the clientele do. I do not believe in pestering people for support. You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/conflickteddd

Image Credits
Personal image: Saad Talha, All other images: ConFLICKteddd