Featured f2 profile:

Perou

from April/May 2010

“People often ask me what was my big break in this business", he says. "There has never been one: it's always been a long hard slog to the middle. It was very gradual. After a while, I came off the dole. Then I came off housing support. Then I had enough money to start thinking about paying tax. Then I was earning enough that I had to be VAT registered."

Track record Top international photographer, now moving into shooting movies Started out as a butler, before doing a photography degree at PCL (Westminster University), then running Click hire studio, and working on the picture desk at Dazed and Confused

Featured Starting Out:

Claire Pepper

from Feb/March 2010

“It's important to enter competitions. Because I'm now focusing on fashion, I find that I don't have much work to enter for a lot of them, as they are more conceptual or portraiture orientated, but if you're doing that kind of work, or documentary photography, then there are so many you can enter. Some of the prizes are really worthwhile, as are the exposure you get, and the people you meet."

Born and raised in Hertfordshire, Pepper lived in the Seychelles between the ages of six and 10, while her father worked on a radio station there. Now aged 23, Claire Pepper is a multi-award winning London-based freelance, with an impressive portfolio and a style all her own.

Featured Turning Pro:

Sophie Mitchell

from Feb/March 2010

“Making a career change in my 30s wasn't the safest choice, but I think this in itself gives me the determination to succeed. I'm quite brazen about being a commercial photographer. I like creating atmospheric environmental portraits, bold images with a bit of a dark edge... a style to which I hope the advertising world will respond. Knowing what direction you want to go in is half the battle."

London-based freelance, shooting for charities and promotional events. Studied economics, before working as a TV producer. Foundation degree in professional photography at City of Westminster College. Assists wedding photographer Christian Keenan.