I first got
inspired by photography through the amazing images in Life magazine, Vogue and
later in Vanity Fair. I can’t remember exactly when, but I don’t remember a
time that I wasn’t drawing either fashion, ballet or portraits. I took Art as a
subject for Higher and won the Art prize (to my surprise). I particularly
enjoyed pencil sketching portraits of my friend Laura. I was also always
writing poems and stories in notebooks, it was my way to make sense of the
world.
For many
years I had little time for art or writing due to work and family commitments.
By accident eight years ago I took my first steps in photography at a venue in London. I captured a few
interesting shots with a small disposable camera (!) and I realised much of
good
photography
is about having a good eye for it while of course good equipment is like having
good tools! I discovered when I got my first SLR in 2006 that professional photography
required numerous technical skills to
understand how the lens and camera worked and that using automatic is not an
option to have more control over good results and difficult lighting
conditions.
One of the
hardest skills in photography is the organisation and editing of work.
Organisation
is key. Probably the hardest skill of all is learning to sort and select images
quickly, and recognizing what makes a portfolio image. I discovered that 'in
camera' selection was very important. And the Big Question – what makes those
portfolio images? Some photos might be good but they don’t have that magic
quality in them. I also worked very hard at making contacts and studying how
the photography business worked and looking at others work.
While I
enjoy street and nature photography, my main passion is music and portrait photography. I aim to take flattering images
which in my mind is the skill of a good photographer. I hope I have an artistic
instinct for flattering angles, light and the use of soft light.
My Music Photography
Music is
the reason I do photography, music is my passion.
I started
out taking small venues and local festivals. My particular interest is Scottish
singer songwriters. In 2007 to 2009 I took photos of several up and coming
artists here. I received good feedback on my work – I had requests for the use
of my images for promotional purposes, I was invited to a live album shoot in Manchester, and I was
thrilled to receive a call from no less than the manager for Emeli Sande for a
photoshoot.
The two big
events for me continue to be Celtic Connections Glasgow and Edinburgh Book
Festival. I first took at Celtic in 2008.
What next? To
develop printing techniques and my main focus on mono (black and white) images.
To submit more and to work more on the business side. To take more photo shoots
hopefully. To hope for those magic images! To paint.
There is
really not enough time.
And it
really does take much more than a thousand hours.
Emerging artists I
have photographed who are now signed to major labels - Emeli Sande, Hurts, Warpaint, Everything Everything, James Blake, Admiral
Fallow, Metronomy, Head and Heart, Broken Records, Miles Kane, Low Anthem,
more. A live album shoot in Manchester
for Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin.
Emeli Sande has been
working on her music since 2007 when she was commuting weekends to London. She left medical
school after obtaining a medical a degree for a Publishing deal in 2008. Most
wont' realise the work that has gone in before reaching the stage she's at now
with her platinum selling album 'Our Version of Events'. David Sneddon has also
been working behind the scenes on his song writing since 2004. He's had many
preconceived hurdles to overcome, but finally this year he has over come them
at long long last and he has received recognition for his songs on several
number one selling albums.
