Texas Forever
From open pastures to city blocks, Avery Norman photographs the world she knows best.
Avery Norman’s photographs are full of city girls, wide-open skies, old cars, empty roads, and places that look like they’ve been lost to time. In one self-portrait, the Houston-born photographer kneels on her grandparents’ bed, a row of family rifles laid out behind her. Elsewhere, a girl in a teal triangle bikini leans against a purple Mustang in Queens, New York, where Norman is now based. Still, she can’t stay away from Texas for long, returning often to the places that shaped her, from the Gulf Coast to creeks, pastures, highways, and small towns around the country.
When did you first fall in love with photography?
My high school required a certain number of art credits to graduate, and I ended up in a Photo 1 course. I always liked photography fine, but it wasn’t until my teacher, Mrs. Garrison, started showing us work of fine art photographers that I really became hooked. It was so long ago, but I remember seeing that Gregory Crewdson photo of a woman floating in a living room full of dark water. At that point, I hadn’t really seen anything like that before.
Why film?
Film feels more to the point. There are so many options on a digital camera that I get a bit overwhelmed. I do shoot digital on occasion for practical reasons, but I always find my film photos to be a lot more intentional. I guess because you have to pay for it. I also think the colors are better, and it’s nice to have the option to darkroom print. I love that you can’t see the pictures immediately. It gives you something to look forward to.
What makes you stop and pull out your camera?
I just know it when I see it. I think I use photography as an excuse to be places I would otherwise have no reason to be. I love places that feel a bit forgotten or frozen in time.
Do you have any rituals before a shoot?
I’m not sure if I have any rituals, but I do like to spend a lot of time with people if I’m able to. My favorite way of shooting is hanging out with someone for a few days and waiting for the right moment to present itself.
Do you ever know you’ve got the shot in the moment, or does it happen later when you’re developing the film?
I usually know in the moment, but the best feeling is being surprised by a frame you forgot about.
Who are some photographers that have shaped your eye?
Off the top of my head: Katy Grannan, Curran Hatleberg, Deana Lawson, Bryan Schutmaat, Justine Kurland, Alec Soth, Lisa Elmaleh, Siân Davey, Michael Northrup, Andrea Modica, Sally Mann, Judith Joy Ross, Nan Goldin.
Is there a photograph you’ve taken that feels especially personal?
The self-portrait I did with the guns on the bed was taken in my grandparents’ house where my mom grew up. The guns are all my grandfather’s and cousins’ that they got out for me for the photo. After I set up the frame on a tripod, my mom took iPhone photos so I could figure out my pose. She also pressed the shutter for me because I don’t have a release cable.
What’s the last book, film, or album that stuck with you?
I’m reading a book about the Carter family called Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? I’m really interested in the history of country music, and they played a pretty significant role. They recorded a ton of folk songs that were previously just oral tradition and brought them to the mainstream via radio.
“I think I use photography as an excuse to be places I would otherwise have no reason to be. I love places that feel a bit forgotten or frozen in time.”
What’s the last book, film, or album that stuck with you?
I’m reading a book about the Carter family called Will You Miss Me When I’m gone? I’m really interested in the history of country music and they played a pretty significant role. They recorded a ton of folk songs that were previously just oral tradition and brought them to the mainstream via radio.
Best roadside stop in Texas?
There’s an antique shop in Alpine called the Cheshire Cat that I really love. They have taxidermy, turquoise, a ton of old cowboy stuff, boots, knives, art, and just a wide variety of trinkets. The owner is super nice and will talk with you about the history of everything.
Dream person to photograph?
This is really hard. Maybe Townes Van Zandt if he was alive. Is that cheating?
One thing you never leave home without?
My small digital camera. I don’t usually end up using it, but you never know.
What makes you homesick?
I miss my family and the food in Texas. A lot of the musicians I want to see don’t really come up north as much. I also love the heat.
Sunrise or golden hour?
I’m not really a morning person so my honest answer would be golden hour, but I do really enjoy how sunrise feels more intimate.