Woodchuck 30th Anniversary Artist Spotlight – Iz La Motte
September 29, 2021
Bio
Name: Iz La Motte
Age: 27
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Profession or Specified Field: Photographer and Filmmaker
How long have you been participating in your specified field: Passionately, 15 years. Professionally, 3 years.
Welcome to our Woodchuck 30th Anniversary blog series where we will be highlighting hand-selected creatives every week through the Fall. This year marks our 30th Anniversary and we have asked 25 creatives from across the country to help celebrate 30 years of creativity and innovation by sharing with us what creativity means to them. We sat down with each creative to hear more about how they use creativity on a daily basis and what influences their work. See below for our conversation with Iz!
W- Iz, thanks for taking some time to chat with us today. There’s no question that you’re a wizard behind the lens, but how did you get your start in photography?
I- I first started taking photos at age twelve after inheriting my grandfather’s collection of 35mm cameras upon his passing. I immediately started taking photos of everything around me and from then on I knew I wanted to be a professional photographer. A few years later I began to dabble in the world of video as well. Fast forward twelve years; I had moved out west after college, was picking up small gigs here and there, and during my second winter in Utah I landed a job working as a photographer and videographer for Alta Ski Area’s marketing department. That role jump-started my career and was a key piece in getting me to where I am now.
W- Wow, so it seems like photography almost fell into your lap and you had a knack for it right away. Starting out with a film camera probably allowed you to refine your skills behind the lens as well. What tends to influence your creativity? Is it more-so derived intrinsically, or are you more heavily influenced by external factors and the people viewing your work?
I- I think that both internal and external influences are inherent. We are affected by the world that surrounds us daily. I see each piece that I create as a result of the world moving through me, being touched by my own creativity and view, and coming back to the world as whatever artform that takes.
W- That’s some deep stuff right there! It’s almost like you’re acting as a sponge, absorbing the world around you, and conveying it through your photography and video work.
W- What we really want to know is what creativity means to you. Can you elaborate on that a little bit?
I- Creativity means letting your mind spin, letting ideas flow, and not holding back. It’s making things without worrying about what others will think of them. It’s bringing something into this world that means something to you and feels good to you.
W- Those sentiments hit home for us for sure! We make cider because we like it. It’s who we are, and getting to share it with our fans is so rewarding to us.
Being an “east-coaster” yourself, what was your connection to Woodchuck, if any at all, prior to your involvement in our 30th Anniversary Celebration? Was there anything that you learned about us that resonated with you or that you can connect with personally?
I- Being from the east coast originally, I love a good local beverage. And Woodchuck being the brand that started the American cider revolution, well, that’s just hard to beat.
When I was first contacted about contributing a piece to this celebration I was hit with a wave of gratitude for a company valuing artists and their work in the way that Woodchuck is doing. It has been such a joy watching the release of each artists’ work and I am so happy to be a part of it.
W- Thanks for the kind sentiments, and thanks for helping us celebrate 30 years of creativity and innovation!
Living out in the Wasatch Mountain Range of Utah, Iz decided that it would be fun to take some Pearsecco on a hike for a classy mountaintop picnic with some friends. As you might imagine, she brought her camera along as well.
Head on over to our Instagram to check out Iz’s spotlight and to follow her up one of the high peaks in the Wasatch.
While you’re there, be sure you check out our #chuckturns30 contest as well! Entry into the contest will give you a chance at being featured amongst 25 other creatives like Iz as well as a chance to win a Woodchuck 30th Anniversary cooler!
Cheers, and happy cider sippin’!
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