Meet Sinden Collier | Fine Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sinden Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sinden, what makes you happy? Why?
My feelings of joy, satisfaction and fulfillment stem from different sources. I love creating images, as they are an expression of my imagination. The freedom to enjoy life without being tied down; Giving back – it makes me happy to make someone else happy; Ludovico Einaudi’s music (his music transports me to other places and remains my source of inspiration in my piano journey); Shiba Inus (the little dogs that look like foxes) as they are independent, smart and a challenge with a larger than life personality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, photography is not only about what you see, but also about what you feel. Being inspired by surrealism and abstract art, I love creating images that have psychological, emotional, and even spiritual expression. I like to go beyond reality. Fine art photography offers me that freedom to express myself in new and creative ways. The path to being a fine art photographer is not only a technical one, but the most difficult thing is finding your voice. I dealt with that challenge by continuing to experiment with ideas and processes … breaking the rules.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Art and Inspiration – Peter Fetterman Gallery, located in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA. The art is amazing and the space is stunningly modern.

Outdoor activity, Runyon Canyon Park. I have created so many beautiful images in this location.

Eating – Unfortunately, my favorite spot Café Midi has permanently closed. The restaurant was fabulous with an extensive European-style menu.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Photography has always been a part of my life. However, I never gave much thought of having a career in photography until receiving the encouragement from friends and a few professionals. Notably, Janice Wheeler, an art director at Essence Magazine. She believed in me and provided me with assignments that pushed me. She would say, “You can do it!” I am also very grateful to Robin Wallace, another art director, who signed me to Getty Images in 2001 (making me the first Black female photographer to be signed to Getty). Working with Robin also enabled me to create without borders. Photographically, inspiration was a source of many, however Paolo Roversi and Peter Lindbergh were constant sources throughout my career. My sister and creative partner, Rhett Collier, has been there from the beginning and remains. Not only did she creatively styled my most important and memorable images, the creation of our book, “Trains of Thought ~ Welcome Aboard” provided the pathway incorporating my fine art photography with her original and visceral aphorisms. The project is an artistic and literary media promoting the art of freethinking. The book received an Honorable Mention from Elizabeth Avedon’s “2017 Best Photography Books.”

Website: https://www.sindencollierphoto.com

Instagram: sindencollierphoto

Linkedin: Sinden Collier Photography

Twitter: @SindenCollier

Facebook: SindenCollierPhotography

Other: https://trains-of-thought.com

Image Credits
Photograph of Sinden Collier by © Rhett Collier. All other photographs © Sinden Collier