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Maya Fuhr photographer, stylist and art director believes that trust with her clients and models creates the most genuine pieces of work.
Maya Fuhr doesn’t always stay within the lines. She takes risks, and it shows, through her thought provoking yet playful photography. For 15 years, she’s been capturing friends, celebrities, musicians, and fashion for magazines like VICE, Oyster and DAZED. Maya recently relocated to L.A. where she’s created her own community from scratch, and continues to push the boundaries through her lens.
So much! I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn't have an art community and friends that support my work. Whether it’s having an art exhibition, asking their advice or sharing my work with them, I wouldn’t have the confidence to put myself out there without them. I always say I owe so much to my friends and community. Also, they’re generous enough to be in front of my camera and I’ve documented them for so long. People knew my work in places like New York because I was capturing a certain underground scene or community. That’s how my work got really popular and that’s all because of the people in front of the camera.
I’m collaborating with a lot of people right now. When I get busy with work I find it refreshing to get a second opinion or talk to someone to flow ideas off of. Right now I’m working with an augmented reality artist and with a creative director friend of mine on a book. I have so many different pockets of collaborations going on, and I need it. Otherwise, I’d just be overwhelmed.
There’s power in saying no. When you’re younger you may think that something is the only opportunity, or you have to say yes, but there’s so many other opportunities that come up.
In the art world especially, gallerists and the commercial art world can be very intimidating. It was always something I wanted to do, be on gallery walls, but I thought because I didn’t study art in school or have the language, that they would think I was stupid. And I’ve had a lot of embarrassing conversations with gallerists where I’d pretended to know what I was talking about. After having that happen a lot of times, it just made me realize that it didn’t really matter as long as I’m confident about who I am, my work, and the initiative behind it. That’s all they care about. Now, fast forward, I am in a lot of galleries, but it really took putting myself out there and being cool with not knowing everything. I’ve realized that being myself is what makes people want to work with me. It's not about how much I know about art.
Moving to L.A. was a pretty big risk. I got the 01 Visa which was pretty expensive, and I moved during the pandemic. I was just taking a leap and going with it. It definitely paid off, like 1 billion percent! I’m getting a ton of work and have a beautiful house, haha! After living in Toronto, I was in this cocoon of paying very cheap rent and being with my community - I was comfortable. But I became more stagnant; I wasn’t putting myself out there since I knew a lot of people in the city. Now that I’m here, I find that there is new energy; I want to network more because there’s all this unknown. I may not be making the same amount of money, but that’s ok; it’s not about money all the time.
I really had to put myself out there. I’ve always been that kind of person, so I was out there making cold calls. I would call other photographers, agents etc. I just made sure to create a community from scratch because that’s what’s important to me. I know that the best way to get your work out there is through personal interactions with people and not just sending your portfolio out blindly. So, I had a lot of blind date coffee meetings. Plus, there are also Canadians that live here too, so I knew a lot of other people who were already here.
When I meditate, I don’t do it very often, but I get into phases where I’ll do it every morning. And those are the times where I’m deep breathing, and I’ll envision something and write it down.
I definitely make sure I have a lot of conversations with the client and form a relationship with whoever is hiring me. I really make an effort to understand why they do what they do, what makes them happy, and what they’re expecting. For example, I have a shoot with a Toronto drink company, and I’ve already had five meetings with them, and sometimes we're just talking friend to friend, and ideas will just come from there.
My best way to creatively brainstorm is to write a shot list and create a storyboard. I like to draw it out rather than make a visual mood board on a computer. Also, having a team I really trust around me is important.
Well, it’s very intuitive. For me, it’s really easy to imagine a whole scene. So if I’m working with a brand and their identity is fun, then I’ll cast someone who looks like they have fun in real life. I definitely like to be a part of every process, like casting. I’m very intuitive, so I can tell genuine experiences in the moment; I can tell if someone is uncomfortable or isn’t feeling confident. I just work with them and try to capture their essence.
Also, if the brand I’m working for has an overall vibe, I’ll let the subject know. It’s all about trust with the model. I think the most important thing is pre-production; building trust with the client and the model is so vital. So, by the time we’re on set, I expect everyone is on the same page and knows what we’re doing. And the client trusts me because we’ve had many conversations beforehand, so they know I’m going to capture everything we’ve talked about.
He is an amazing AR Artist & filter maker! We collaborate on art projects, he hosts queer basketball games and virtual parties during lockdown.
He is an amazing AR Artist & filter maker! We collaborate on art projects, he hosts queer basketball games and virtual parties during lockdown.
She’s an amazing portrait photographer in Toronto.
One of my best friends and absolutely amazing artist, chef and clothing maker.
One of my best friends and absolutely amazing artist, chef and clothing maker.
My sister ! She is a drummer, clothing designer and works in wardrobe for tv/film. She’s an inspiration to me because of her bright and shiny energy and sense of humour.
My sister ! She is a drummer, clothing designer and works in wardrobe for tv/film. She’s an inspiration to me because of her bright and shiny energy and sense of humour.