Maya Fuhr can turn anything into a work of art. Her third eye is always on, and she’s never shy of an idea. She’s cool, brilliant, and incredibly gifted at making anyone feel comfortable in their own skin. She shoots on film and her signature portfolio of pastel hues and raw and authentic portraits have captured the attention of people worldwide, as well as an impressive client list including, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Vogue, MTV, Adidas, and more.
In the last few years Maya has also extended her photography practice to include sculpture and mixed-media, with many of her three dimensional works making guest appearances in her film compositions. She’s a Creative Director who effortlessly can shape her surroundings into beautifully crafted magical worlds. We would love to live inside one of her photographs, and we are so pleased that Maya took time out of her cross country road trip to answer a few of our questions.
Jay Miriam: You’re an artist, a sculptor, and a photographer. Your photographs beautifully blend all three mediums to create entire worlds of their own. What are some of the things you consider when you create your compositions?
Maya Fuhr: I consider the material, color palette, shapes in conversation with each other, the best angle to shoot them in, and so on. I use my Hasselblad to capture a lot of my work. I place the subject or object I’m photographing into its complementary world (a square frame), and then change my angle according to the forms and dimensions I’m working with. Usually I’ll bend up and down or wobble side to side, it’s part of the fun.
When I make sculptures it’s a very intuitive process for me — it’s like I get into a trance. Sometimes it’s not until months later when I discover that it perfectly fits into a shoot or photograph. Like my shoe sculptures for example; I just shot a model faux wearing them because I found they came to life with the terra-cotta/cream colored flooring I was working with. This wasn’t premeditated when I was covered in plaster making them.
Ella, 2020 © Maya Fuhr
JM: As a photographer who has photographed extensively in both New York City and Los Angeles, what would you say is the main difference between the two cities?
MF: New York City is louder, dirtier and way higher energy - it’s called “the city that never sleeps” for a reason. Opposite to Los Angeles, which seems to really appreciate sleep and relaxation. Like me! Both cities are completely different and special in their own way.
Televangelists, 201824 x 24Lightbox
The Editorial Magazine,
Blanc Gallery, Courtesy of Patel Brown
© Maya Fuhr
Timothy Ryan White: What is your process like for taking a picture? Do you consider light and shadows or do you only focus on the subject and worry about the rest, later?
MF: I’d say they co-exist. I pay attention to the subject and how they feel or how an object translates in the view finder; and then I’m pretty flexible with whatever light I’m working with. It’s always different but I make sure they shine.
Stella, 2016
The Editorial Magazine
© Maya Fuhr
TRW: Who or what subject are you working on now?
MF: I’m currently in Los Angeles about to shoot and direct an American Apparel campaign with 10 street-casted models all over the city. It’s really exciting. We just had the fitting today in my yard. It’s a teenage dream for us all. I’m also shooting some album art with Tim Atlas that involves some hardware material and gooey liquid — great combo.
JM: What do you want people to notice most about your photographs?
MF: Authenticity.
JM: Do you have a muse at the moment?
MF: My friend Emily’s french bulldog, Ralph, has really been catching my eye lately. Expect some fashion moments soon.
JM: You recently moved to Los Angeles, where you had been traveling to for work from your hometown in Canada, are you getting ready to start a new project or photographic series? What are you most excited about right now?
MF: I’m excited about all of the natural landscapes and locations around here . We drove through Utah and I was in complete and utter shock from the color palette of the rocks and the infinite terrains. My partner Chris and I have been collaborating and shooting videos together (STELLA TV) and I just want to let the camera roll right now… sounds like a cliché, but I want to feel out this different world.
Iris Van Herpen, 2017
Iris Covet Book © Maya Fuhr
Iris Covet Book © Maya Fuhr
JM: You often collaborate with other artists, photographers, muses, etc. Is there anyone you are collaborating with right now? If not, do you have a dream person(s) in mind who you would love to collaborate with?
MF: Ru Paul, let’s talk.
FOLLOW MAYA ON INSTAGRAM @MAYAFUHR
John Waters, 2016 © Maya Fuhr
Untitled, 2019 12 x 18
Cotton Rag Print Courtesy of Patel Brown © Maya Fuhr
Untitled, 2019 12 x 18
Cotton Rag Print Courtesy of Patel Brown © Maya Fuhr
Text and interview by Jay Miriam and Timothy Ryan White, November 2020