Yvette Conley lives in London, Ontario – the cleanest city in the world. Her photographs of metal lovers and underworld faces are magnificent. Find out more...

How would you describe your work to someone who's never seen it?
I am a documentary photographer. I like to shoot people in their natural habitats. Because let's face it, homo sapiens are too crazy to need any embellishments.

How did you get to know Kittie?
My daughter's best friend, Talena, was asked to join the band. I had been shooting her for years and was happy to comply. The band liked them and asked me to do their next CD. The Lander sisters are really dedicated to being true to their music and not being talked into becoming "hot chicks". They are in a difficult situation having their parents as managers. All I know is they have been good to me with photo passes and stuff. What can I say, to me they are just kids who would party at my house with my kids!

What's the appeal of metal to you as a photographer?
It's hugely appealing to me because I like that stuff as a kid. It is so empowering when you are young and you are listening to music that is so loud and aggresive you can feel it in your chest. A really good heavy, hard music concert should feel like The Triumph of the Will rallies. Love the clothes, too!

Who is the most famous rock star you've ever met?
I got to go to a Slipknot and Marilyn Manson rehearsal where no one was wearing any makeup. I met the Osbourne family before they turned into TV stars. When I was younger, before the advent of MTV, I met whoever I wanted to - Iggy Pop, The Clash, Johnny Thunders, etc. It was easier.

Who would be your dream subject?
Lee "Scratch" Perry. Just to listen to him talk. He is out there!

Could you say a few words about your involvement in the Detroit music scene in the 60s/70s?
When I was twelve years old we lived in Windsor, Ontario across the bridge from Detroit. You could literally see downtown Detroit from our upstairs window. The Stooges, The MC5, The Amboy Dukes plus Motown was the local music. My sister and I were in love with the Asheton brothers and would wear black t-shirts like theirs which wasn't the norm for little girls at the time. A few years later my (now ex) husband's pick-up line to me was "Do you want to meet Ron Asheton? My band (Destroy All Monsters) is opening for him." Ron and I became fast friends and still talk occasionly. He's a lovely person.

Tell me about a photograph you like.
My favourite photo is called "Russ at Work". I asked him to show me his tattoo. He suddenly looked very feminized. He was upset with the finished product because he said too much of his soul was revealed. Thrilling words to a photographer who wants to show the individuality and spirit present in people. He let me use the photo only after I did a "macho" photo session with him. P.S. He still looked girly!

Where can people see your photography?
Museum of London, Ontario (3 July 2003), my site yvettefoto.com, and dozens of Kittie sites.

Isn't London Ontario a peculiar place? All that doppelganger London England stuff is bizarre.
I have lived in England so it doesn't feel like a "little London England" to me at all. In my mind I'm a photojournalist doing important work. Of course there is no such job in London, Canada. My challenge, therefore is finding the stories that need to be told here.

Could you say a few things about how hard financially it is for you to make your art.
Terribly hard financially. I'm having success getting grants right now so I hope that keeps up. It's not enough though. I will always be grateful to my kids, Nina, Kira and Dylan. Can you imagine having a mother who decides at 40 to leave her husband, move to a shelter and start a life as a documentary photographer! It's cool now, though. We have our house back and I have a wonderful darkroom. Everything has happened very fast for me.

Anything else you want to add?
Thanks for the support. Come back to Canada. We didn't get enough time together.