Morgain Bailey
About
Morgain Bailey (https://www.morgainbaileyphotographer.com/) (she/they) is a visual artist who is passionate about documentary landscape, personal poetics and environmental portraiture. Originally from San Francisco, she now makes her home in northeastern Maine. She has a BFA from The San Francisco Art Institute and has exhibited her work in venues across the United States. Her work is held in multiple private collections. She enjoys creating long-term projects and teaching photography workshops. In her spare time she loves reading about photography theory and adventuring in the great outdoors.
Gallery
LACP Interviews Morgain Bailey
LACP asks Morgain Bailey ten questions about their background, career in and beliefs about photography.
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Morgain Bailey: I am a visual artist who works with documentary landscape, personal poetics and environmental portraiture.
LACP: How long have you been shooting?
MB: Since I was 16, so about 35 years.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
MB: I have a BFA from The San Francisco Art Institute. I also studied at the California College of the Arts, Maine Media Workshops, FotoFilmic, Santa Barbara City College and The California State Summer School for the Arts at Loyola Marymount in L.A.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
MB: I studied other things like painting, printmaking and filmmaking alongside photography. Photography stuck with me, partly because it travels so well. It’s hard to travel with giant canvases. I fell in love with photography when I was a little kid.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
MB: I took a few breaks but never gave up. The creative process of making photographs is intrinsic to my mental health and identity.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
MB: Yes, a lot of money and time spent being feeling lonely on a path less taken.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
MB: An incredible archive that documents my social and physical environment plus my mental states. Also, an absolutely amazing group of colleagues.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
MB: The Poetics of Documentary Landscape.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
MB: I love seeing students grow and have “Ah-Hah” moments. I also love doing research and incorporating that into my teaching.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
MB: Have a day job if you want to do personal poetics work. Put energy into finding your audience and participate in your local or online art scene. Be organized. If you find a niche in the commercial photography world, take it. Be fearless. Apply for grants.