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Photographer and Creative Director Constantine Lourdas | #MemberSpotlight

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This week’s member spotlight shines on Constantine Lourdas, a UK-based award-winning photographer, motivated and versatile creative professional that’s been working within the photographic and media industry for twenty one years.

Constantine has always had a passion for the line and form of architecture and the built environment from an early age, which has developed, combining with his love of photography as the perfect form to showcase unique and exceptional designs.

With a keen interest in sustainability, how it can be shown and deployed and how it can be implemented in new or regenerated forms, he is always looking for opportunities to further this passion with new creative possibilities.

How did you get into the industry?

After my media degree at Leeds in 2000, I joined my father’s photographic company which was short staffed and needed a strong pair of hands over the summer to carry all the lights, tripods, 5 x 4” camera and plates and every other type of equipment!

Setting up the new PowerMac G3 and installing the beginnings of a digital workflow, along with drum scanner, heralding in the move from film into digital. A summer job turned into a career!

Where are you based now and who do you work for?

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Based in Twickenham and working for myself, being only twenty minutes from central London is incredibly handy for many of my shoots in the city.

My clients vary from large multinational financial corporations to national and international building firms, design agencies, interior designers, architects, luxury developers and commercial and residential real estate agents.

If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?

I’d probably set up my own company for eco tours or writing about my travels for publication. I love extreme sports such as snowboarding, flying, mountain biking etc, and would incorporate these into the tours and writing.

Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?

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For me, it all starts with the brief and the planning. As much online as possible with a recce to follow up. Goggle maps, Street view or Ordinance survey only go so far, you really need eyes on the ground to see how the light falls and any obstructions that might be in place.

It also helps meeting and chatting with my contacts insitu at the project if possible, to see their vision and how realistic it is, or if we need to tweak it at all. After gaining any permissions where required, finding the best timings for day or night, internal or externals. Getting as close to the brief as possible, and then trying to exceed it.

I try to be as exact as I can when shooting, so I spend as little time as I can in post. But that depends on the project and if I have to recreate half an unfinished building or take out any obstacles etc before I send it via secure download to my client.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as modernist, using some traditional techniques; sometimes parallel, converging and rule of thirds just work. And sometimes no rules! With a look to the abstract with views and just seeing where the form and line takes my eye next. Sometimes you just have to think out of the box and see where it takes you!

Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?

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I’ve gained much of my inspiration from my father. He was always thinking and looking to the future to see what new equipment and ideas or trends could help in the now. I suppose I’ve really taken that to heart and think of new ways and ideas on my shoots to look and capture a project.

Having a real passion in architecture, the designs and buildings of Zaha Hadid have a lovely flow to them. Architecture has so many forms, but it’s when you get that one building that just flows and you connect with it, feeling overjoyed and can’t wait to capture that unique angle unseen before.

What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?

Show your best content to as many people as you can. Get it on as many social platforms out there and show that you’re willing to go that extra mile and work the longer hours many might not.

What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?

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Networking! Put yourself out there. And a few lucky breaks – we all get them at one point or another, you have to read the signs and capitalise upon them when they do come!

Or if you have the time, find a client you want to work for and recreate, photo or film one of their projects but do it better. Send it to marketing if nothing else, they now know who you are and may keep you in mind for their next project.

What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?

My Hasselblad HD6 is my first go to camera. The quality, colour and larger sensor stands out for the built environment and landscapes. When the images are stacked or combining ten or so images to make one composite altogether, the results are fantastic.

Then my trusty Canon 5D, is next in my arsenal. Over the years it’s been everywhere, taken a battering and just keeps on going no matter what’s been thrown at it. It’s my trusted back up and hope the new mirrorless version that I have my eye on will be as good.

More recently my DJI Mini pro 3 has been just amazing at getting the images, 4K film and generally going places where my heavier Mavic can’t reach. With decent results that once uploaded to the web look almost indistinguishable to its larger cousins, smiles all round here!

Lastly my MacBook Pro, which comes with me on shoots when tethering or journeying back from a shoot, be it on train or plane or sitting on the sofa at night instead of being in the study by myself!

What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?

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It’s a mixture of getting inspired from other work I see and wanting to create similar or better results. My own internal drive to push and create more and not get demotivated when the idea in my head can’t transpire exactly into reality - try and find a work around!

What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?

Starting up my own company and finding and winning new clients all by myself would be top of my list. Also gaining recognition and becoming a member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP), very much up there as well as winning the Award of Excellence in the British Photographic Awards.

What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?

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In the photographic industry, a recognised standardised body for professionals, like a surveyor or accountant or architect has. For many years professionals constantly produce amazing bodies of work but can be treated and regarded by some as the same as someone who’s just picked up their phone and taken an image. This wouldn’t happen within professional architecture or surveyor circles.

Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?

In photography, I would look to the BIPP. For over 100 years they’ve been at the fore of professional photography, run by photographers for photographers. All the many genres are catered for and everyone is very helpful to critique, give feedback and share some of their techniques in how to take amazing shots worthy of winning competitions and clients alike!

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