Embracing the Essence of Womanhood with Sophie Clara's Film Photography

Through her art, German photographer Sophie Clara embodies what it means to gently reach through the deepest parts of your soul and embrace it in all its glory. At the core of her dreamy visuals lies the art and essence of womanhood.

In this interview, Sophie shares with us how she connects with her female subjects, the power of healing through art, and the role that film photography plays in her life.

Hi Sophie, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you tell us about yourself and how you got started with film photography?

Hi, I’m Sophie, a film photographer from Germany. I started taking photos on film around seven years ago, back then mostly of nature and little glimpses of my life. When I started studying art and design I had the space and time to explore photography more comprehensively. Around that time I also started traveling more often and found a lot of new inspiration in places and creative communities away from my little life at home.

How would you describe your photography style?

This is not the easiest question to answer. I feel like my style is still evolving and changing a lot and for now, I really love maintaining the freedom of not defining it ultimately. I would say it always had a dreamy, playful, and romantic character. Choosing film as my creative medium impacted my visual language profoundly. In my work, I love to explore the topics of womanhood, our connection to nature, and the continuous search for softness and stillness in life.

Why do you choose to shoot on film? How does analogue, as opposed to digital, help with carrying out your vision as a creative?

In our fast-paced and increasingly digital way of living I’ve always appreciated all things slow and analogue, I just cherish the process behind it so much. I love giving my photos a lot of time to take shape and emerge from my vision. With its limited exposures and physical grain film carries such rawness and honesty, which I personally find much more difficult to capture through a digital photo. Each motive is chosen very carefully and with a lot of attention to detail, and I try to do only very little editing in post-production. The material of film naturally carries such a beautiful richness of colors and contrasts, it just feels like a magical medium to work with.

Many of your portrait subjects are women. Can you tell us more about that?

I believe that whatever we create is always a form of self-portrait, everything we see and capture is like a mirror of our soul and personal experience of life. I’ve always felt very connected to my own femininity and sensitivity, and have aimed to express this part of myself through my art, so it felt very natural for me to capture portraits of women, cherishing their presence and the strength that grows from the softness we carry inside us. I hope to give women the chance to see themselves through loving eyes and to heal the relationship we have to ourselves, our bodies, and also towards each other.

How do you form a connection with your female subjects when shooting them? Take us through your collaborative process during photoshoots.

I simply enjoy having conversations about different experiences of life, holding space for personal stories as well as creative ideas, so it really becomes a collaborative process rather than just me directing someone. Getting to know the person and their intentions for me is essential to make them feel seen and capture their unique energy. Sometimes I already have a clear vision in my head of what I would like to shoot, but mostly I improvise and create intuitively out of whatever the situation provides. When I take portraits I try to see myself as a space holder with my camera, inviting you to step into a vision of yourself that is waiting to be seen and embraced. A space emerges, where you can be fully present with yourself and the world around you, connecting with deeper layers of who you are.

What does the “female gaze” mean to you as a female photographer?

For such a long time women have been subjects in art portrayed by and for men, women's bodies have been objectified and judged in so many ways. I am in awe of how, these days, so many women are reclaiming themselves and finding their own unique expression. The female gaze for me is about worshiping the feminine from a place of personal experience. We are honouring ourselves and our bodies while desexualizing them, and meeting each other in full authenticity.

You also have some amazing self-portraits. Can you share a favorite self-portrait with us and tell us the story behind it?

Thank you, sure! One of my favorite self-portraits was shot in a little cottage in France. The place was very old and simple, but the living room's tiled floor somehow reminded me a lot of a Vermeer painting and I was very inspired by the atmosphere. I spent a few hours shooting and waiting for the right light to fall in, and I was so happy to see my idea come to life when I received my scans from the lab weeks later. I often find myself drawn to scenes that carry this dreamy energy and seem to tell their own unique stories.

What does the art of photography means to you?

Photography naturally became a mirror of my longings in life, my dreams and hopes for a soft, open-hearted, and meaningful experience of life. It is my attempt to contribute something true and valuable to this world and to make people feel something gentle and healing. In the process, there is no right or wrong, just free and playful expression. It evolves with me as I continue growing as a human being and aspire to create more meaningful work. Through Instagram, I also discovered a wonderful and nourishing creative community, which has been an essential part of my photographic journey, and I feel incredibly grateful for all the encounters and creative perspectives it brought into my life.

Can you tell us about rising sun magazine and what that project means to you?

Together with my dear friend and fellow photographer Leev Marlin, we founded the magazine as a small university project in the summer of 2023. We wanted to create a print product to connect our photography with articles and conversations about topics that inspire our lives and creative work, such as slow and mindful living and spiritual perspectives on human existence. In the first issue, we explore various ideas around the concept of time — how we can live in alignment with its quality and find ways to reconnect with the timeless essence of our souls. We hand-crafted each copy and curated interviews, poetry, and literary quotes, which we printed alongside a selection of our photographs. Even though other projects currently take priority, it remains very dear to my heart and we truly enjoyed bringing our photos into print.

Why do you choose to incorporate poetry into your photography?

I have a large collection of poetry that carries a similar feeling to what I wish to convey through my images. My favourite poet in the world is probably Mary Oliver, her poetry about the awe of nature and its wonders touches me deeply. Even though writing my own poetry never felt as natural to me as creating visuals, I still love to combine the two and, once in a while, I enjoy sharing a poem that inspired the feeling of a certain image.

Lastly, what advice would you give to young female photographers?

Always do it for yourself first, be sensitive to the world and stay curious about life.

We’d like to thank Sophie for taking the time to discuss her art with us! If you’re interested in following her work, check out her Instagram and website.

written by francinegaebriele on 2025-03-06 #people #international-women-s-day #women-s-month #girlhood #dreamy-film-photography Share Article