Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Bill Hannigan is the founder of ATTA, AUGUST and OTTO. He exhibits his own photographs and has written several books and many articles on photography. Since leaving art school, he has spent his life in photography, balancing the creative and commercial.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Walking in the woods, one where I don’t run into anyone. Ideally, this would be the woods behind the house where I grew up, where my mother still lives, but any dense woods where I can walk alone is a way to reset mentally and spiritually.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
It’s not so much a single memory for me as an awareness of a creative path opening slowly. Somewhat clichéd— my grandfather gave me a camera when I was in grade school, and it sparked something. Being from a small town in southern Ontario, I didn’t have a lot of references for living a creative life. My parents gave me a much nicer camera setup for my 16th birthday, not long after my sister gave me a subscription to Interview Magazine as a departing gift when she went away to school. Slowly, it started to become a reality that I could dive deeper into photography. I applied to four universities after high school, three to study economics and one to go to art school. I got into all four and then had to inform my parents I wanted to go to art school. After a VERY long conversation, they supported my
decision. That was a big leap for all of us, and I can’t thank them enough.
What is your biggest regret?
I don’t really have one. I try to accept things and move forward. I also know that in any situation, I try to make the best decision in the moment. It may not always have the best outcome, but things happen for a reason. I try to take what happens, learn from it, and be mindful of the past if a similar situation comes to pass.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Thankfully, I haven’t had to do this in a very long time. Thinking back, I would remove myself from the situation, the city entirely, and go on a road trip or a hike. I guess the short answer is I would run away!
What makes you cry?
These days, almost anything, the sappier the quicker I am to tears, it seems. This is new for me. It used to take a lot for me to cry, and now it comes on so easy. Basically, anything that involves someone overcoming struggles or accomplishing something amazing in the face of adversity, the waterworks commence. If it is one of my children, forget about it. Full on sobbing. I cried recently on a flight watching an episode of Welcome to Wrexham. It’s getting ridiculous.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
Not long, usually. I get bored easily, and I am always in motion. I tend to move on to the next thing after I accomplish something. As I’ve gotten older, though, I notice on occasion, in a quiet moment, something will hit me—a past accomplishment or some point of pride and bring a flash of joy. I’ve gotten better at allowing myself these moments.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Short answer, yes. What that is, no one knows. I was raised in a progressive Catholic family, but left the church. I think religion and spirituality can be at odds. I believe there is a life force that connects everything, but as to an afterlife, who knows what it really looks like.
Maybe our energy joins the life force and continues. I’d like to think part of our conscious selves continues on, but I’m not convinced of that.
What do you hate most about yourself?
Nothing. I try not to hate at all—it’s a destructive and useless emotion in my opinion. Certainly, when it comes to oneself, it is only destructive.
What do you love most about yourself?
I’m a nice person. My parents always reminded me growing up to respect everyone until they give you good reason not to. I try to live that way. When our kids were young and they asked what religion we belong to, we told them we’re part of the Church of Kindness. I like that about myself, and I think it’s a good way to approach life.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Our family is in a transitional time—one child out on her own, one in university, and one about to be a senior in high school. Any meal when the five of us are together is the best. One food—fish tacos.
The post What Matters to Bill Hannigan appeared first on PRINT Magazine.