Talking Female Friendships & Creative Community with Isla Kerr
- Imogen Leonard
- Sep 26
- 6 min read
Glasgow-based photographer Isla Kerr has already found her rhythm in a field that feels both instinctive and intentional. While she works between analogue and digital, her heart gravitates more and more toward film, ultimately drawn to it's timelessness and the intimacy of the process itself. What began as a way of documenting new places while growing up has grown into a passion that spans capturing music, weddings, portraiture and more. For Isla, the camera isn’t just a tool for work, but a trusty companion that she carries with her. One that preserves moments of friendship, community, and fleeting memories that shape the world around her.
You mentioned your camera was your way of documenting new places as you grew up, how would you say your relationship with photography has evolved now?
I think there's still a part of me that covets that kind of personal journalism. I’ve always admired Patti Smith and how her photos support her writing. It’s hard when something that was once a pastime pays the bills, though. I think separation is important. I don't travel as much as I did then, but anytime I do, I take my point and shoot. I used to want to ensure I captured wherever I was in infinite detail. Now I'd rather be present, and maybe even write a few pages.
What keeps you coming back to film photography? Is there something you feel it captures that digital doesn’t?
Film just feels right to me. I shot my first roll in 2018/19 or something like that. A lot of photographers I admire use film. It's timeless. It’s such an involved process, so I’m constantly learning more and drooling over scanners I wish I had the money to buy.
Talking female friendships & creative community with Isla Kerr
Having grown up on the outskirts of Glasgow and returned to Scotland after some time away, how do you feel Scotland shapes your perspective as a photographer and filmmaker?
Massively, I grew up in quite a rural, isolated part of Scotland and always feel drawn to more wild landscapes when planning shoots. Going to gigs in Glasgow from a young age definitely formed my love of live music too.
You described finding a community of like-minded people at Karma! Magazine as something you’d always dreamed of. Why do you think these kinds of spaces are so important in the creative industry, especially now?
Social media has a way of isolating you from everything outside of what it thinks you want to see yet it seems to become more of an essential tool for a creative career with every passing year. Creativity, to me, often comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying new things. Being part of a community like Karma! I’m surrounded by people who are constantly doing the same, and that inspires me.
Can you think of a time or project at Karma! where you felt the unique power of female friendship really shine through?
Honestly, everyday it is such a supportive community and the whole team is always ready to give advice or listen to what someone's going through. It's really special.
Female friendship is often romanticised in the media, but in reality can be complicated. What has your own experience taught you about building and maintaining genuine friendships with women?
Communicate. I honestly think it's the key to any friendship or relationship. It's so simple yet often overlooked. We all communicate but not many of us do it well. I’ve always believed there's a difference in really listening to someone and just hearing them. No relationship can be maintained if you’re not fully connecting with each other.
Working with an all female and non-binary team must be a refreshing reset of the typical working environment, what do you think this environment has taught you about collaboration?
Not to shy away from it I think. In the past, my opinion has sometimes been overlooked or misunderstood, which resulted in me stepping back from collaborative projects. When your voice is heard, though, there is nothing like working together and getting to bounce ideas/visions back and forth.
What do you think women and non-binary creatives bring to the table that is often overlooked in male-dominated creative industries?
So much! Photography, especially within the live music scene is so incredibly male heavy. It can feel a bit rigid and egocentric - almost as if trying something new is wrong and there's no room for progression. All my favourite photo pits at gigs have been those shared with women and non-binary photographers. Everyone looks out for each other and is mindful of personal space. The work that I see coming from those creatives is original and exciting.
As a photographer and a filmmaker how do you see your role within a team? Are you more of a quiet observer, a big-picture thinker, or something else?
When working on a project in a team like Karma! everyone's opinion matters. I think the nature of photography makes photographers strong observers and, for a lot of the team, photography is their chosen pursuit - yet we’re not a quiet bunch. When we’re working towards our goals it’s about utilising each other's personal skill set. Not taking on everything at once and recognising some of us are better suited to certain tasks than others. That’s not to say we can’t help out - I think the longer I work within the creative industry the more I realise just how many hats every single creative wears.
I’m a perfectionist and would rather agonise over doing 20 things to the very best of my ability than complete 200 things knowing each could have been a tiny bit better. Sometimes I need to tell my brain to give it a rest though and when you’re working towards a collective goal in a team of people that you admire it starts to become easier.
You mentioned being a “small cog” in the Karma! team, what excites you most about being part of it's growth and future?
Karma! is constantly evolving. I think just being part of a team feels so promising and inclusive. Our founders, Josephine @byuchechi and Murron @mrrngllghr are both such incredible creatives and are always one step ahead when it comes to future plans for the magazine.
Is there any advice you would give to young women or non-binary creatives who are still searching for that kind of supportive community?
Put yourself out there. I know how daunting that sounds, but I really believe that sometimes good things exist outside of your comfort zone. Whether that be having conversations with people who are doing what you want to do, or forging ahead and creating the space you want to be part of. There's really no right way to find a support network like that. Sometimes it just happens. I was lucky enough to find that at Karma! but there are so many different options out there.
Do you think creative work together can deepen bonds of friendship in ways that day-to-day life can’t?
Yes! I think there's a certain innocence and vulnerability about creativity. Using that part of your brain alongside others bonds you in such a unique way.
In a world that often pits women against each other, how do you personally keep a mindset of connection over comparison? Or have you ever had to unlearn stereotypes or cultural narratives around “difficult” female friendships in order to truly connect with other women?
It's really easy to fall down a self-comparison rabbit hole and end up caught in a cycle of imposter syndrome - I’ve done it many times! At the end of the day, though, what your peers are achieving should be something to celebrate and not something to compare yourself to. Scrolling through another creative’s work should inspire you - not make you feel inadequate. I think your mindset shifts once you look at it that way.
Quick Fire round
A female friendship on-screen (TV/film) that you think is underrated?
Ooh, that’s a tough question! It’s hard to say, but since it’s Wednesday month/season - whatever you want to call it. I'll go with Wednesday and Enid. I think having friends that you have different interests and personality traits to is so important. When I was growing up I’d have thought the opposite but just in the same way you see those two characters grow on screen because of each other, I’ve experienced in my own personal friendships.
As we’re moving into autumn I have to ask, what is your favourite drink?
I’ve had a bit of a complex relationship with coffee for the last two years - I love it, it just sometimes doesn't love me back. I’ve recently got into cinnamon hot chocolate, so that or a Chai. If I’m in the mood for something stronger, it's always an orange wine.
Do you have any song or artist currently on repeat?
At the moment Everybody Scream by Florence and the Machine is on repeat. I’m a self-confessed Autumn/Halloween maniac, and this track has all the haunting chaos I love about that time of year.
Check out more of Isla's work
Check out Karma! Magazine @karmamag
All photography included in this feature by Isla Kerr.
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