My commercial work is almost entirely Digital, in my spare time though I really like to shoot film/analog ~ love the way it slows the process down + the less than clinical perfection - that's associated with digi. Because there's no immediate result, the importance of intent prior to capture is ever so mindful. Love it! These two images were shot earlier this year in the grounds of The Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam (35mm, Ilford FP4, pushed 1 stop).
Event Photography at the London School of Economics.
Super interesting to be invited to undertake some Event Photography and capture a portrait photograph of artist Carleen de Sozer, hosted by The LSE Phelan United States Centre.
Xposure 2023
Xposure 2023 - International Photography Expo - Sharjah, UAE.
I was super pleased to be invited to give talks (about photography!) at this years Xposure Festival.
Imagine; eat sleep breath photography with the World's greatest most inspirational 'togs, it was the most amazing experience..!
Colour Palette
Few things I like about this portrait:
- Colour Palette: Always good to play a colour held by the subject elsewhere within the frame.
- Though a neutral expression, he has an engaging warmth.
- Directional light from the left which helps create form & depth as the light graduates across his features.
(Shot under out-door ambient lighting, notice the reflector in the bottom half of his eyes - used so there's more even illumination, especially eye-sockets & under chin).
Your Portrait is Your Brand.
Your Portrait is your Brand
Ideally when someone searches your name The Same Portrait pings up each & every time: No doubt they've found the person they're searching for.
BUT, you have to Like your portrait, feel that it represents you, to the extent that you post it on Each & Every Platform you're part of....
Potentially, we All photograph well...
Commercial Portrait Photography
Portrait Photography is Always a collaboration (between subject & photographer)..
My view on contemporary ‘business-profile portraiture’ is that the subject needs to come across:
With an emotion and so making them more relatable / engaging to the viewer. The opposite is emotionless stoicism, an expression which can’t be read, and so possibly, at least on a subconscious level, not trusted.
The emotion should project how at ease the subject is, this is for two reasons: 1. Someone at ease/comfy in their own skin/relaxed is someone most would feel comfortable collaborating/working with, and 2. Strongly suggestive of their ability to remain relaxed, content & in control within a stressful economy. Again a positive demeanour which will draw others to them.
ALL subjects arrive in front of the camera feeling awkward & on the spot.. My job is firstly for them to feel comfy in my bubble and secondly to help them understand how to express their inner relaxed beauty externally. An absolute collaboration.
Portrait photography: 95% of our time together is the above. Less than 5% is spent actually taking the photograph..
I very often meet subjects who start by saying they don’t look great in photos. On the whole this isn’t the case, they just haven’t had it explained to them how to ‘be’ in front of the camera.
My main tip to look good in front of the camera: Think about what makes you most happy, past experiences / future dreams - once these thoughts take hold, they become reflected, beautifully naturally, across your face & body language..
