Brooklyn-based Hot Shot Victoria Rich grew up drawing, studied graphic design while in college, and then realized that photography complimented her knack for image-making rather well. And it's a good thing... Perhaps I am far too lost in my holiday spirits, but Victoria has managed to capture something I am desperate to find. See that here.

Birthplace? Where were you raised?
Born in Lackawanna, NY. Grew up in Floral Park, NY.

Your age?
36

What do you do to pay the bills?
I teach at ICP, do freelance production/photo editing, shoot editorial/commercial work. I like being involved in different aspects of photography.

What initiated your committed romance with photography?
I remember always being interested in pictures when I was a kid. I liked the history of any family images. I also liked using the family camera, however unimpressive (110 point + shoot). I also remember getting in trouble for 'wasting film on unimportant things'. I always drew a lot, somewhat seriously by high school. I started to realize my drawings were very photographic, quite detailed, objects or often spaces, interiors w/ a person. I took a photo class my first semester in college which I had been looking forward to for a long time, and it made sense right away. The visceral quality of photographs, regardless of how that can be manipulated, has always interested me.

What artists inspire you, whether they be photographers, musicians, politicians, painters, or the like?
Eggleston, Robert Polidori, Paul Seawright. Vija Celmins. Painters such as Vuillard, Bonnard. Raymond Carver.

What do you like most about being a "photographer"?
I like the surprises. While I do have different specific projects or themes that I work on, I never set things up or have very specific ideas about what I am going to shoot. I like finding things along the way. I especially like when I initially think there is nothing to shoot, but then I discover lots of interesting things. That is what I also like about assignments, the opportunity to go shoot something you would not have access to otherwise neccessarily.

What formal training, if any, do you have?
BFA from SUNY Purchase, MFA from Hunter College.

What camera do you use?
My favorite camera for a while has been a 1956 Rollei. I like the square format, and the waist level viewing. Also the fact that there are no battery/electronic components to it. I have a 'modern' 645 and there are sometimes malfunctions. I also have an old 4x5.

What piece of equipment do you fetishize the most and/or what is your guiltiest tech pleasure?
Sometimes I look at other Rolleis, but then I feel guilty. I would not mind having a Hasselblad.

Do you have any other creative talents?
I've gotten pretty good at embroidery.

What are the top three movies on your queue?
Atlantic City
Midnight Cowboy
Badlands

What are your favorite websites/blogs?
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum (www.tenement.org). There are virtual tours + history.

If you were on a deserted island and could only take one luxury, what would it be?
lip balm

Favorite color?
Red. Or green.

Favorite food?
There are many. Kale and figs top the list.

Favorite way to kill time?
I run a lot, though that's not really killing time.

Any pets?
Yes, 2 cats, by default (stray rescue)