Interview- Horror Photographer Joshua Hoffine

Posted July 17 by Jeanne F

Photographer Joshua Hoffine creates scenes straight out nightmares. This dude legitimately creeps us the hell out. The things that go bump in the night? The boogeyman in the closet? The freaky clown who has come to life to carve you into itty bitty pieces? Hoffine can’t get enough of them. His images are NOT Photoshop collages. He uses family and friends as models (victims?) and does the rest of the work himself. Irony of ironies? Hoffine got his start working for Hallmark! The guy’s work is fantastic and will make you gleefully pee your knickers with fright. The Deciblog had to quiz Joshua on what exactly makes his sick mind tick.    

First question: What the hell is wrong with you? You are one effed up guy to be making all this sick imagery.

At the university, they called me mad. 

Of course, your effed-up sensibilities are why you are so awesome, hence your appearance in Decibel. Did you just wake up one day and decide, "Today, I will scare the crap out of lots and lots of people?" or did the idea for these pictures come to you in another way?

My transformation into Horror photographer happened very quickly. I had recently left Hallmark and was preparing to make a series of photographs based on fairy tales. While getting ready for this project, I came across the idea that Horror movies were modern fairy tales and the project quickly changed direction. Once I started making Horror photographs, I never stopped.

What are some of the more intriguing aspects of fear (or fear of death) that is so alluring to you?

I am especially interested in the psychology of fear—what are we afraid of, and why? Are we all afraid of the same things? Which aspects of Horror exist beyond culture, and which are culture-specific? Why are some aspects of Horror seemingly universal? These are some of the questions I explore in my work.

Do you have any formal art training?

Yes, but I did not go to art school. I learned by befriending and working for the best photographers I could find. I spent 6 months with Nick Vedros, a famous advertising photographer. I learned a tremendous deal about large production photography while working for Nick. He was a master at lighting, and taught me many of the techniques I use today. I also worked for Hallmark Cards. I spent 2 years assisting a dozen different photographers, and learned valuable things from each of them. From the outset, I wanted to be the best technical photographer I could be.

Approximately how long does it take you to come up with an idea, sketch out a scene, build a scene, and shoot the scene? Basically, what's the gestation period for these photographs?

I begin by writing my ideas down in a journal. Sometimes years will pass before an idea goes into actual production. It takes on average about 4 weeks to create a new image. Preparing the sets and the make-up effects take the most amount of time.

You use friends and family members for your scenes. Who does all the hair, make-up lighting, prop-styling, etc?

I do just about everything myself, including set design, lighting, and photography. My friend Jason Coale was helping me with set construction and make-up effects for a while. Now I have a new friend named Patricia Castillo helping me with make-up. I still oversee every detail.

Are the kids ever too frightened to participate? If you asked me to stand behind a sheet that's concealing a killer clown, I'd probably pass.

Funnily enough, my kids love doing this with me, and aren’t frightened at all. For them it’s just an elaborate game of dress-up. Other family members are involved. For instance, that's grandma playing the clown behind the sheet. I always make sure that my models are safe and having fun.

What about that baby in the arms of that dead lady with the spiders spilling out of her mouth? Did that kid freak out?

Not at all. That was my nephew Matt. He was maybe 6 months old when we made that image. He slept through the whole thing.

How do you come up with the scenarios? Are these depictions of your own personal fears or do you focus on humanity's fears?

While my own personal fears certainly get mixed in, I am generally more interested in universal fears.

Are you a fan of heavy metal?

For me, there is early Black Sabbath, and then everything else. The first music I ever fell in love with was Black Sabbath. My dad owned the first two albums on vinyl and played them constantly while I was growing up. I used to sit and stare at the first album cover, which featured a green witch standing in front of a haunted house at sunset. That photograph had a lasting effect on me. I sometimes dream about remaking that image.

Joshua Hoffine (left) and horror master Hershell Gordon Lewis

I’m guessing you’re a fan of horror movies. When was the last time a scene in a movie (an old movie or a recent movie) scared you?

A very recent Horror film called The Martyrs impressed the hell out of me. It’s an existential torture-porn film from France. That movie doesn’t mess around. I worship The Martyrs.

Would you say it's your intention to scare people with your work?

Some images are meant to be scarier than others, but yeah I’d say scaring people is definitely part of my intent.

What are some of the best compliments you’ve received about your pictures?

I receive wonderful compliments all the time, but I think I cherish the hate letters I receive even more. If some people aren't outraged or disgusted by what I do, then I'm not doing my job well enough.

Who’s scarier: the taxman or the grim reaper?

The taxman is stressful, but the Grim Reaper is scarier. Death is the end of everything you know. 

Joshua Hoffine’s complete portfolio, visit www.joshuahoffine.com. Prints are available for sale, and his images are also made into jewelry for purchase at his Etsy shop here. Be sure to check his blog too.

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