Mimi Haddon

Every time I pick up a camera, I feel a sense of discovery and anticipation. Even when I have a specific idea in my mind, I am constantly amazed where an image might go if I keep myself open to possibilities. I shoot with available light so that I can examine my subject from all angles without needing to be locked into a certain position.

My grandfather was not a professional photographer, but he was a great photographer. He was my first teacher, but not in an active sense. Rather, I learned by getting lost in the dozens of pristinely packaged photo albums that were always available for our viewing. From his images I learned the importance of light, color, line, spontaneity and humor.

After graduating from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Graphic Design, I spent a year in Paris. I already had a great interest in photography and the darkroom from photo classes I’d taken in school. So when I happened upon an ad place by an American woman who was unloading all of her darkroom equipment before heading back to the states, I jumped at the chance and got to work.

My present series combine fashion, architecture, painting and portraiture. I am equally content shooting my polaroid 600 SE as I am my digital camera. After spending so much time enjoying images of my family in a time past, it is second nature for me to bring in nostalgic elements to my work. But at the same time, I am very well rooted in the present and am always looking for the future and to my next great discovery.

Mimi Haddon
www.MimiHaddon.com