Thanks for the interview and taking your time out, please introduce yourself to the Design Juices community.

Hi!! I’m Tika Michelle. I’m 24 and I like to photograph people and make them look pretty!! I’ve worked in 2 photography studios and I was with a company that specialised sport and school photos. I learned that I love photography, but don’t like working for other people. It stifles the creativity. My favorite thing to take pictures of is people! Macro photography is a pretty close second.

What do you study at school/college and was there a specific reason you chose to study these areas?

I’m just trying to get back into school now! My whole life I’ve been taking art classes, from Drawing to Photography. It’s been my biggest passion since I was a little girl. Hopefully I’ll be a University Student this September. I’ll be majoring in Photography and probably minoring in drawing/painting. I’m just excited to try new things again!!

Do you have any other interests in another design related discipline? Graphic design for example?

I like graphic design, I’ve just never played with it much. I like just about everything, sadly it’s a matter of finding the time to experiment!

Was there a particular piece of work or group of works which really turned you onto photography? Any photographer which you most admired and inspired you to take up photography?

There are MANY artists that I aspire to be like! I have a lot of books featuring all sorts of portraits and street photography done by many different people. Bryan Adams (crazy, I know) is one of my favorite portrait photographers! He seems to have a lot of fun with his models and tries to really pull out the personality.

What drives you to take photos?

My Car!! I like to make people feel good and look good! Having creative juices flowing all the time really helps that too! I can’t sit for too long without having to go take a picture of something!! I’ll either start taking random shots of things [like the lip series] or call people and tell them to shower up ’cause I’m on my way and they have to model a new idea. I’m really lucky because all my friends are on board with it!! They trust me.. sometimes too much!! Muahaha!

What kind of equipment do you use with your photography? Do you have a specific setup for your photography?

HAHA – I don’t have equipment! I have an OLYMPUS fe-360 camera and myself! There are Tripods and lamps used sometimes, but nothing that I carry around with me. For editing, I have Photoshop CS3 – it’s the love of my life! <3

Deviantart is a favorite online community to showcase your work, what makes Deviantart stand out the most for you? and why did you choose to use Deviantart?

I like DA for the simple fact that everyone is so nice! It’s very rare that you see any hurtful or negative comments on someone’s work. It’s a great way to show what you have and support other people.
To be honest, I didn’t know there were other art showcase sites! I’m happy with DA, so I’ll stay here!

Who have you found to be the most helpful people online in providing feedback and advice with your work?

Just about anyone!!

What do you think you would be doing if you hadn’t taken up photography?

Drawing!! I used to draw a lot! I stopped about 4 years ago and regret it now, but I’m starting to slowly pick it up again.

Whats a typical week in the life of Tika Burton filled with?

Odd jobs and Volunteer work. [lol] I have a pretty awesome life! I have friends that LOVE being models and a family that supports everything I do!! So once the little bit of work is done, I get to play!

When you are not photographing or otherwise behind the computer, what do you enjoy doing to step away for a while?

Away from the computer?! Away from a CAMERA?!?! …VIDEOGAMES!!
I like to have bonfires and go 4x4ing with friends or to hockey games (I’m Canadian eh!), I’ll even escape into the odd picnic or road trip! Skateboarding, Causing havoc, bowling, baseball, sewing crazy costumes,sitting at Denny’s for hours.. anything that anyone is up for!

What do you believe the future has in store for you?

One can only hope for success and happiness! I would love my own photography business. Or maybe Drawing for Disney or a video game company!! Maybe even become a Professional Pirate, Supreme Court Justice or a Space Fireman.. hahaha – basically, I have no idea!! <3

Find TikaBurton on DeviantART

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