Australian Penthouse

American photojournalist, Anthony Karen, was granted unprecedented access to the Ku Klux Klan to document the regular lives of its members. In an exclusive interview with Australian Penthouse, Anthony shares his stories and passions
Interview: Tom Lee

How did you get into photography?
I always loved taking pictures during my travels, but the photojournalism seed was planted after I decided to start living my life without regrets and booked a trip to a place that was always on my mind: Haiti. I went to take pictures of voodoo, but I never imagined I’d become a photojournalist. After I got home, I found it extremely rewarding to look at the images I had captured, and I became consumed with it.

What qualities must someone have to be a good photojournalist?
A good photojournalist needs to be honest and work with integrity. Many lose track of why they got into photography in the first place—a passionate need to express themselves creatively. You must always remember what attracted you to photography. And always appreciate and respect those you document; they have given you a special gift of trust,
it’s important not to abuse that trust in order to sell your story.

You need to research and educate yourself with regard to your subject matter whenever possible. It’s important to stay objective and remember that you’re a guest in their lives for a brief moment, so be responsible. You are there to document a story. If you go in biased, you’re almost sure to come away with an unbalanced story.

Other qualities include sensitivity and a continual desire to learn and grow.

Where do your ideas for stories come from? What is it that attracts you to certain places and people?
My ideas come from many places—history, research, things I hear about or see on TV.

I realised that there is an over-saturation of photographers out there and I needed to do something different to stand out from all the repetition in the news. The bulk always seems to fall upon the following lines—war, poverty or disaster. I’m not going to lie, I want to document those things as well, but it’s currently more feasible to find something unique and closer to home, that way I can document it in a thorough manner and, hopefully, shoot it well.

I feel that religion is the foundation for many; it’s when we are in our most vulnerable state. It’s also amazing to experience these things with my eyes, rather than read about it from another person’s perspective. Seeing what lies behind the closed door; the mystery, the taboos, and the intimate moments.

Have you ever feared for your safety while shooting?
Probably the only time was in Cite Soleil, Haiti, riding in a pick-up truck with a group of armed gang members. We drove across gang lines and it got pretty sketchy for a few minutes, but I was too excited with the prospect of dramatic images to let it get to me. I’m an adrenaline junkie.

Do you take care to distance yourself from your subjects?
No, I go right in and introduce myself to people and act the way I would normally act. People can see right through you if you put on a facade. I communicate, share, listen and observe. I feel you have to give a little of yourself in order to get the same in return.

Of course, I’m human and have feelings of happiness and frustration in my journeys, but when you’re a photojournalist, it’s all about capturing moments on film; you are totally consumed with what you’re doing. I have opinions, but there’s a time and a place for me to display or share them.

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