Interview with photographer Troy Colby

Troy Colby was born in rural Kansas in 1975 and currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas. His work and research explores the delicate balance of family, fatherhood and the outcome of the family photo album. Motivated by intellectual and psychological inquiry of these intimate topics, Troy photographs his own family as a means of understanding the emotional qualities that come along with fatherhood. It has become his means of understanding while creating an honest interpretation of the idealized family album.

He received his BFA from the Academy of Art University in 2015 and his MFA in 2019. His work has been seen in Black and White Magazine, Lenscratch, Feature Shoot, Plates to Pixels, The Photo Review, Fraction Magazine, Der Greif and FotoRoom.

– How and when did you become interested in Photography?

It was during my younger years skateboarding. I would take e images of my friends and I skating. We only had one instant film camera in the house and we were not wealthy, so I had to sneak it out to use it. It wasn’t until 20 years later I rekindled my love for photography.

– Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

Gosh there really is so many. This includes friends and peers, but I would say that Michael Garlington was the first artist that really showed me the power that photography held.

– Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

This is simple for me. I love the purity of black and white. Color has too many attachments and black and white strips this away and it becomes about the emotion in the image. To me that is one of the most important parts.

– How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

Some days it just happens on the fly. But for the most part I am very watchful and look for those moments in our household that holds my attention and imagination. This series of work has been about 4 years in the making. I tend to use only available light, this includes, low light, ambient light and full on sun. This variable use of lighting sources gives each image a different feel or emotion. This matches the ebb and flow of family life.

– Where is your photography going? What projects would you like to accomplish?

I am going to continue on with working with my family for as long as I can. It is going to change, as I grow older with my kids. So in some ways it is hard for me to really know where it is going. I would love to continue working with my wife for many years, like the work of Emmett Gowin! For me the end goal is to share this work and start a dialog with others about the dynamics and struggles that family life brings.

Website: http://www.TroyColby.Com