An Inspired Chat with TA Holmes of Tempe, AZ

We recently had the chance to connect with TA Holmes and have shared our conversation below.

TA, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Definitely wandering. It is infinitely more fun to explore and learn things that might not appear on a goal driven path. Had I been more career focused, a world of incredible experiences would not have come my way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
It’s a simple story. I grew up with film cameras, dipped my toes into the digital world, and have come home to the analog life.

All my photos are currently being captured with vintage film cameras, and printed using darkroom methods. I handle as much of the process as possible myself. That means my refrigerator often holds more film and and developing chemicals than food. Insomnia usually finds me with a tank of film being processed instead of a midnight snack being eaten. It’s a happy trade off.

Next up is learning about color film development, and trying to find the right corner to set up my antique enlarger. I will be making my own prints after that.

While I still handle the occasional portrait, most of my work is now focused on fine art prints that explore the ideas of aging, women’s, and social issues. And trees – I’m a sucker for trees.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
It’s a playground moment. I wanted to find out if I could run as fast, and jump as high as the boys. I could and did, to my surprise.

What a thrill! I couldn’t wait to find out what else was possible. It’s become a pattern in my life. Something catches my fancy, and I have to try it. Oh the failures and hard lessons. But, what an education.

I grew to understand that true power is leadership, mentorship, and an invitation to the best in ourselves. It does not equal the right to intimidate those struggling. Real strength serves, supports and lifts others as it rises.

The influence of those lessons is now a core value of ‘do the right thing’. I couldn’t be more grateful to those boys who challenged me to push those boundaries; and to my family for enduring the never-ending parade of interests.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I believe it’s less important to be heard, than to listen. My family will argue that I still need a lot of practice on this skill. They’re right. Most of us do, myself included.

We’re all so busy talking about how and why you hurt me, rather than asking what can I do to help? Whose voice needs my amplification? What story needs to be shared? Is my voice the important one right now?

You’ll find me shouting in creative ways when needed, as most artists do. But, the critical skills are understanding who needs my ear and the support of my action, and when to simply be quiet. There so many larger things happening now, than whether any one person is listening to me.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That done is better than good. It promotes quantity over quality, and doesn’t challenge us to a larger effort.

The issue of course, is how do I support myself with my art, if I don’t promote and produce, and promote and produce, and on and on? It’s an age old conundrum.

There is nothing wrong with creating work to pay the bills. But the goal should not be just get it done to be done with it. It’s important to also work in a way that demands more of both the creator and the viewer.

If supporting myself outside of photography, allows something meaningful to evolve in my work, I’m fine with that. There is nothing wrong with striving for excellence. It’s what forces us to grow.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Attempting to do my best, without any expectation of reward, is a guiding principle instilled by my parents.

My whole life, I’ve watched them give all that they have. They have always striven to ensure those in their circle have their needs not just met, but met in a way that helps each person succeed. No credit or recognition was ever sought.

If my efforts are half of what I witness daily from them, I will know I did some good in the world. If rewards follow, it only allows me to share more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taholmesphoto.com
• Instagram: @ta.holmes

Image Credits
TA Holmes, Ron Yurek