Read past interview with top photographers: click on a name in the list for featured profiles from the F2 Freelance Photographer Magazine archives.
Perou
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.
“I was butler to Viscount Brentford, who was known simply as Brentford", he says. "As his butler, I would sign myself Perou. It was around the same time of the growth of single name brand names like Gucci, and when I started out in photogra- phy, I decided to apply this logic to the branding of my business."
-Apr/May 2010
click here to buy this issue
Jason Bell
Top London and New York-based freelance, with a string of awards, shooting for Condé Nast publications among others. About to publish fourth book, An Englishman in New York, with Dewi Lewis
“Energy and enthusiasm are a big part of my job, especially on the bigger shoots, where there might be 40 people on set and you are the captain of the ship. Everyone takes their cue from me, so it's important that I'm enthusiastic, energetic, really saying that it can be better, and driving everybody on to do more and make it better."
-Feb/March 2010
click here to buy this issue
Harry Borden
Multiple award winning New York born portrait photographer, who studied at Plymouth College of Art, before making a career in London. Recently returned to Devon, where he grew up.
“If you photograph celebrities, it gives you a certain amount of status, while advertising brings material gain. I'm pleased that, at a relatively young age, I've realised these things don't necessarily make you happy. You need to be creative, and pursue projects where your motivation is pure. It's about pushing the boundaries, exploring photography, and using it to great ends."
-Dec/Jan 2009-10
click here to buy this issue
Alastair Thain
Came to prominence as a celebrity portrait photographer in the 1980s, and is known for his unique intimate close up portraiture, made using custom built large format cameras.
“I thought it was going to take me four or five months to build a camera range, but I reckon it was only about six months ago that I finally built a portrait camera I really liked, which means it was more like 15 year’s work!"
-Oct/Nov 2008
click here to buy this issue
Richard Young
Renowned freelance celebrity photographer who virtually invented the industry.
"It’s all down to personality, character, contacts and trust. If people trust you, you can build up good relationships. A sense of humour is vital. Laugh with people and don’t take yourself too seriously."
-Aug/Sept 2008
click here to buy this issue
Morgan Silk
Started life as freelance retoucher and is renowned as a Photoshop expert. Built a career in retouching, then made an explosive move into freelance photography through winning an AOP Gold award with his forst personal project.
"Personal work generates interest in your portfolio, especially in the advertising world - don’t shoot work for your portfolio in the style of an ad – people like to be surprised by new work"
- June/July 2008
click here to buy this issue
John Swannell
A top london based freelance who began in the 60s assisting David Bailey. At the top of his game in portrait photographer, known for royal photography and top celebrities
"It’s the old cliché: it’s easy to get to the top but it’s hard to stay there”
- April/May 2008 This issue is sold out, so not available via the back issues page
Dean Chalkley
Renowned music freelance photographer who began his career with Dazed and Confused.
"It’s good that you can’t see how long the ladder is: you should only see the next rung or the one after that, because otherwise you might think it’s far too gruelling and do something else."
- Feb/March 2008
click here to buy this issue
Drew Gardner
Started his career in photojournalism, became frustrated with the way his photos were used and reinvented himself in commercial and advertising photography.
“One of the terrible things is that we get pigeonholed... if you’re brave, you can go out there and reinvent yourself. You can change people’s perceptions by shooting something completely different."
- Dec /Jan 2007/8 This issue is sold out, so not available via the back issues page
Zed Nelson
A top photojournalist who focuses on comprehensive photography projects, such as his highly acclaimed debut Gun Nation.
“Images can simplify in a beneficial way, showing truth, or they can miss the complexity - you have to be cunning about how you balance assignments and personal work. It’s not enough to take a picture of someone in misery unless you can explain the politics that have led to it happening.”
- Oct/Nov 2007
click here to buy this issue
Simon Roberts
"The most important thing that I've done from the beginning is always come up with ideas, because these are your currency...you're going to be in demand if you come up with something different."
- Aug/Sept 2007 This issue is sold out, so not available via the back issues page
Andrew Buurman
"The most successful photographers do one thing and do it really well. You have to find what you want to do, and when you find it, just keep going, keep at that particular thing."
- Jun/July 2007
click here to buy this issue
Jillian Edelstein
"I find it hard to stray far away from that which drives me, because fundamentally I come from that political perspective."
- April/May 2007
click here to buy this issue
David Stewart
"The more you do personal projects, the more you build a catalogue. Therefore, you have more chance to exhibit and do books."
- Feb/March 2007
click here to buy this issue
Tom Craig
"You need to generate a body of work that's going to be appropriate for the kind of client that you want to work for. If you want to photograph bands, don't phone up Unicef."
- Dec/Jan 2006/7
click here to buy this issue
|
