Up Close with Carmen Huter
Posted on 29 January 2018
Meet Carmen Huter: photographer, adventurer and sun chaser.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 24 years old. I grew up in a small town in the Austrian mountains and came to New Zealand aged 18 to study English for a few months. Long story short, I never left, did my undergrad here, and instead of going on to my Masters degree, I decided to pursue photography. I now am a professional photographer, which every now and then still feels a little odd to say out loud. The outdoors, great food and my loved ones make me the happiest.
How do you strike a balance between enjoying the scenery and taking good photos at the same time? As people can become too consumed with trying to get the perfect shot for social media.
I tend to remind myself to just be, for a little. While I might get up at a ridiculous hour to hike a mountain for sunrise, I never do it just for the image. The experience as a whole is what makes the photograph tell a story. And that's why it's so important not to see the world through the lens, but one's own eyes.
What are you doing when you’re not taking photos?
I treasure my time at home (currently, that's New Zealand). You will find me editing, writing, cooking, and going for long walks with my friends in the park around the corner.
What are your travel essentials apart from your camera?
Noise-cancelling headphones, clothing made from natural fibres (I could live in merino), a mobile USB charger, one (or two) good book(s), eye drops, a large scarf, and, most importantly, snacks.
How did your journey start and what advice would you give to people who are just starting out on photography?
My journey began three years ago when I bought my first small camera. I was never too fussed about the settings; it was merely a creative outlet for me. One day, I began to share it with the rest of the world. But don't be fooled, I encountered (and naturally still do) a fair share of hurdles along the way.
My number one tip might not sound revolutionary, and that's because it really is quite simple. Start. Create action towards your future self. More specifically to photography, I personally learnt the value of asking for help from more experienced creatives a lot more.
Surround yourself with like-minded folks who share a vision of yours and inspire you not to give up when it gets hard. Finally, remember that no one has it quite figured out. People are excellent at pretending. Everyone feels fear; it's about what we make from it.
Surround yourself with like-minded folks who share a vision of yours and inspire you not to give up when it gets hard. Finally, remember that no one has it quite figured out. People are excellent at pretending. Everyone feels fear; it's about what we make from it.
What has been your most memorable travel experience so far? What's on the top of your bucket list?
I get excited about the smallest of joys, so my most memorable travel experience is hard to pin down. I'd have to say driving a beaten-up old Landrover Defender across East Africa alongside my other half - including all the breakdowns, malaria and wildlife you can imagine - would be right up the top.
On the top of my bucket list, one would find Greenland, Tahiti, India, Norway, I could keep going for a long, long time.
Learn more about Carmen and her photography here!