How did you get into the industry?
I went to university as a mature student and studied photography - having previously worked in the film industry. And although I graduated with a good degree, it didn’t get me any work… but it put me on the right path.
That is, the path where you just get on with it and do the work - and when I say ‘work’ I really mean taking on personal projects and unpaid commissions - until such time that a picture editor/agent/anybody will take a chance and hire you.
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I am based in London, where I have my own studio, and I work for myself.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
Probably earning a decent living! But hey, in an alternate universe I’d try my hand at being a game ranger in Southern Africa. And if that didn’t work out, I’d get my scramble eggs on toast out into the world - it’s a bit special! Ok, so maybe it’s not a global enterprise, but a small little café somewhere would do the trick!
Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?
I don’t think my creative process is unique! In fact, I’m not sure what my creative process is! Yes, I research my sitters beforehand - try and get a better idea of who I’m photographing. But most of the other decisions I make - technical stuff like what colour gel to use, or which way a person should look, or what they should wear, or what the background should look like - are all kind of instinctive.
I think with portrait photography a lot of what happens is intuitive and in the realms of the subconscious. You can formulate a plan of action, work everything out, set it all up, but sometimes it just doesn’t feel right on the day, and then you have to change it.
How would you describe your style?
Seat-of-my-pants! Perhaps colourful, often very blue. But on a more serious note, I guess it has something to do with portraying the human condition at its most basic level, and in doing so, reflecting the fragility and vulnerability inherent in all of us. Is that a style? Not sure!
Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
I have been inspired by photographers such as Nadar, Yousuf Karsh, Julia Margaret Cameron, Irving Penn, Chuck Close, Gregory Crewdson, Bill Brandt, Richard Avedon, Nadav Kander, Dan Winters, Martin Schoeller, and Annie Liebovitz. [amongst others] BUT, inspiration is all around us. It can be found in plain view almost anywhere - perhaps EVERYWHERE.
Think: trawling through Instagram, surfing the internet [soon to be metaverse] on Google, ambling around an art gallery, sitting [if you’re lucky] or standing on the tube/train/bus, browsing through a magazine, or simply by wandering about purposefully or aimlessly to the rhythm of Tina Turner’s beat when she sings ‘WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER HERO…’. [to name a few]
What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?
I think if we’re talking photography, the most important thing to do is KEEP CREATING / SHOOTING! If you’re not inundated with commissions, get your teeth into personal work. Shoot projects that mean something to you, that you’re passionate about - it will reflect in your images.
And not only that, but you’ll also learn from your experiences [which is a nicer word than mistakes], and more often than not, it’s the personal projects in your portfolio that get you work!
What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?
Again, I’d say always have personal projects on the go. Other than that, I’m not quite sure! Most professional photographers seem to have agents, so I guess if you’re not getting work, maybe that relationship isn’t working out as it should?
And if you’re not represented by an agency, and you’re not as busy as you’d like to be, then, again, I’d refer you to the first sentence in this paragraph. Other than that, it’s about getting your portfolio/work in front of the people that matter and promoting yourself - on social media, by entering competitions, etc.
What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?
I like to use artificial lighting, colour gels, flags, and a good camera [& lenses].
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
Hunt down your dreams. But dreams are hard to come by, and they demand huge sacrifices and other difficult things. So maybe read some Charles Bukowski, as he’s better qualified to talk about these things than I am. All I will say, is that if you’re truly chasing your dreams, you’ll never want for motivation.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
I received a letter from a friend I once photographed - a letter that meant the world to me. It was an affirmation - proof that what I was pursuing was a worthwhile endeavour.
What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?
Ok, so here’s the thing. How do you get yourself a job as a professional photographer. You know, what’s the pathway in? Well, perhaps you try and get into one of the universities that offer a decent photography course.
Problem is, you graduate with a piece of paper that’s essentially worthless. And it’s the same with any creative degree. So, basically, you’re relying on the portfolio you created during your studies. And then, even if it’s brilliant, it’s limited. You can email photographer’s agents till your blue in the face - you won’t get a reply. And if you do, you’ll see the words: ‘keep creating and good luck!’ And… and it’s a BIG ‘and’, if you do manage to get in front of someone, chances are they’ll tell you they like your work, but they want to see more.
Now you’re stuck with a chunk of student debt the size of a deposit for a mortgage, and you can’t get a job in the field you’ve just obtained a degree in! There really aren’t many opportunities out there - even if you are above average. I think that sucks. I can understand why it is that way, but it just seems like the system is broken. Students are being sold products that don’t work out there in the real world. That’s something I’d look to change if I had a magic wand that worked.
Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
If you’re interested in portraiture, I can recommend the following:
Get the popcorn out! Below, probably the best documentary I have seen on photography.
The Genius of Photography - 6 Part Series, BBC 4, first episode date: 2007.
https://archive.org/details/tGoPhoto/BBC+The+Genius+of+Photography+-+01x01+-+Fixing+the+Shadows.mp4
Books to get your teeth sunk into:
Dan Winters - Road to Seeing
Annie Liebovitz - At Work
Henry Carroll - Photographers on Photography: How the Masters See, Think, and Shoot
Susan Sontag - On Photography
Roland Barthes - Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography
David Bate - Photography: The Key Concepts
A fun day out in London: The National Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The Photographer’s Gallery, The Wallace Collection.
And finally, an inspirational resource with great pics: https://www.instagram.com/__nitch/?hl=e
