Photographer Interview
Tony Hazel:- Awesome photographer with fantastic ideas and visions

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
I've always loved art and being creative. I tried painting but quite frankly I'm rubbish at it! Photography, especially digital allows me to explore my creative side.

Who/what is your inspiration?
Who? Nobody specific, although I am a fan of the work of Philip Warner (Lithium Picnic) and the late Bob Carlos Clarke. What inspires me? All sorts of things..... random things you see every day.... tv ads, pop videos ... all sorts of stuff.

What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
They are all interesting, some challenging, some just pure fun.

Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
Hopefully working full time as a photographer.

Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
Yes I have...... just ignored them..... and strangely enough they seem to have disappeared from the world of photography, and I'm still here! :o)

So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
Hasn't really affected me.... already have a fully equipped studio and all the gear I need.

Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
a.Have you got a 'look' that I want to shoot. b.Attitude c. Communication.

We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
When the client or model is happy with the results.



There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
Like you say 'there is always room for improvement'..... I'm hoping to more location work this year.... got loads of ideas, just got to find the right models.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Yes! Turned up late, didn't look like her portfolio shots, had 'attitude' and then kept insisting on me supplying more edited shots than we had agreed on.

What is your pet hate for models?
Being called 'Love', 'hun', 'babe'.

What is your pet hate for photographers?
a.Acting superior. b. The old Nikon vs Canon debate...... there are loads of great cameras out there, doesn't matter what name it's got on it! ...... anyway we all know Nikon is best! lol

Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
Completely self taught..... been to one photography club.... really boring!

Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
Do what you believe in..... listen to advice, but only take action on it if the person giving it is a better photographer, or more successful than you.

And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
A difficult one...... to work alongside any one with 'vision'...... willing to experiment to achieve the 'ultimate' image.

Photographer Interview
Distorted Retina:- Fetish photographer with an eye for fantasic imagery

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?

I was studying sound and lighting production but I needed more hours in my timetable, so I decided on two subjects that deal with light, Physic’s and Photography. I was lucky as it was a performing arts college there were always loads of bands and performers as willing subjects.

It was years after that I finally started shooting professionally and working for local Press and several national and Multi-national company’s.

Who/what is your inspiration?

My main inspiration at that time were music photographers such as Ross Halfin and Tony Mottram who were working for Kerrang! And Metal Hammer at that time. As my work developed I became more interested in Bob Carlos Clarke and Steve Diet Geodde which is when my love for more alternative and fetish images come from.

What has been your most interesting shoot to date?

If I had to pick one shoot then I would be working with the wildhearts on their ‘Destroy All Monsters’ video. If you have not seen it check it out on YouTube to see what I mean!

But also and for totally different reasons. The first ever shoot I did in LA many years ago with Miss Conduct. We were shooting outside, round the back of a disused building next to her apartment. She was wearing thigh high boots and a Straight Jacket. Some of the looks and comments from the locals made for a very interesting shoot!

Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?

I’m currently on the look out for a studio that will become the new home for my work, I ideally want a space that allows me to try different looks and styles including more mainstream work for fashion and commercial clients.

Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?

Nothing that is really worth talking about, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?

I’m lucky at the moment as I do have another income, so I can’t really say it has had any effect on me, I think I may have become a bit more selective when looking and costing locations for shoots, but its not stopped me shooting or buying new equipment.

Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?

Polite, Open minded and Enthusiastic would be a great start. Also someone who does not expect everything to be done for them, I prefer shoots to be a collaboration of idea’s.

We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?

When everyone involved is happy with the images!

Normally Models and photographers will always prefer slightly different images and for slightly different reasons. When you get everything to come together and everyone loves the same image then that’s a feeling that’s hard to beat.

There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?

I’m always looking to create better images than I did at the last shoot, everyday is a learning curve.

I would love to have access to more varied lighting equipment to try new idea’s and I’m always looking at ways of making my post production better.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?

No, there will always be some people that you really connect with and others that you don’t.

What is your pet hate for models?

Not being on time and turning up looking like you have just fallen out of bed still in last night clothes.

What is your pet hate for photographers?

Thinking they are right, everyone’s vision and style is different.

Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?

A basic City & Guilds in B/W photography, which gave me all the basics I needed to develop and create my own style.

Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?

Remembering that sometimes you have to shut up and do what’s needed, even if you don’t think it’s the right thing. Give the client what they want.

And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?

Megan Fox and Atsuko Kudo latex!

Photographer Interview
Sarah May Photography:- Beautiful photographs from a fellow female photographer!

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
I've always been a massive art geek and when I was about 13/14 I discovered websites like deviant and started uploading my badly taken film pictures and digital camera pictures until I got my first DSLR when I was 16! I really liked other peoples work, and how as cheesy as it is pictures can really say 1000 words. The first photographer I discovered that really made me want to take pictures was Zhang Jingna (aka Zemotion) I thought her work was stunning and wanted to be able to do something as good

Who/what is your inspiration?
I love pin up, alt and fetish photography and photographers like Helmut Newton and models like bettie page I adore! Though mostly quite local photographers I discovered (like yourself!) and Catherine Day and pirate photo inspired me quite alot! I think besides other photographers, Artists like Sylvia Ji, and music or books often give me inspirations or idea for photoshoots.

What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
I think my most intresting one was one I did with Mimi Couture and Miss Cissy P. It was in Pagans Tattoo studio in leeds, and we used latex clothing (some from cathouse clothing) and it was really fun, with whips and strapping Mias (Mimi Couture) boyfriend to the tattoo chair! I got some great shots and it was a really interesting location, one of my fav shoots!

Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
I really hope by then I'd be able to have my own studio space or a home studio, as not having one at the moment can be a nightmare! I can't imagine I'd stop doing photoshoots, so hopefully by then I'll have alot more experience, and alot more equipment! And possibly even the ability to turn it into a full time career.

Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
I can understand that some people may find it a little weird with some of the concepts and things I choose or would like to shoot, but some do take  it too far! It can be really upsetting and I get quite alot of snide comments about doing pin up or fetish photography. I don't think people took me seriously (and still don't!) because I'm younger than most or my work was "weird." I find sometimes other photographers and some models can be quite rude, as they just assume I'm not in it for the long run, as for some reason my age seems to mean that I'm not a "proper" photographer. I do get some comments on pictures on facebook and such calling models ugly etc just because they have tattoos or piercings or aren't a size 0, but I just enjoy taking photos of intresting people, and I think theres different kinds of beauty and it'd be boring if everyone I worked with looked the same! Honestly, I've stopped caring it's something I enjoy, and I have my friends support and thats all I need!

So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
At the moment I'm in college, and I don't have a job so I find it really hard to travel out of Leeds, or to hire studios or buy new equipment anyway! When my last camera broke I really stuggled to pay back the money for it so I'm a bit out of pocket, I can't really afford any new lenses and such, but I'm going to have to cut down on shoots alot so I can work and pay for equipment and props etc. So this years going to be a lot of working with what I've got, even thought its really annoying and disappointing having to turn down amazing shoots because I just can afford a studio or lighting or to get to some places!

Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
I always check through models portfolios, I usually work with people who have at least a little bit of experience, though some people who only have one or two pics you can tell are just really photogenic and I'll work with them anyway! I like to look for people with a bit of an edge, who I know are going to be interesting to shoot with! I know people think I tend to work with only "alternative" models, though I will work with anyone I think will benefit my portfolio!

We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
I'm satisfied when I get atleast one photo which makes me think wow, something that jumps out and I'm immediately happy with, it's not always what I was after in the first place, but Its such a good feeling when I feel like I've got a photo worth showing everyone!

There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
I'd like more experience with studio work, and I also think I need quite a bit more practice with live/gig photography! I think I could probably improve alot more by giving models a bit more direction though most of the people I work with barely need it!

Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
I've done a couple of shoots where I found it really awkward to work with models, because they are very static, or don't relax when they are shooting. I did end up telling both these models to relax, or just to try something different, but as soon as the camera clicks they go back to the same static pose!

What is your pet hate for models?
Well as I mentioned before, the same pose/face in every photo no matter how much you tell them! It can look amazing but get boring and mean I use a smaller set as I feel like I'm editing the same picture over and over. Also it irritates me when models ask me to work with them, and then expect payment when they have had little experience and asked me in the first place! I come across quite alot of rude wannabe models who can't understand why I can't work with them at the drop of a hat!

What is your pet hate for photographers?
I find that alot of photographers can be really rude (as can models!) when asking them genral questions about equipment or telling them that you like their work! I guess it can be annoying if you get asked alot but I think its a bit unnecessary to be rude!

Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
I'm self taught! I use the internet and just mess around with my camera alot to help me, or ask people advice on how to improve my photos!

Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
I have had a designers talking about me behind my back for no particular reason, and heard alot of models bitching about other models, but I know it can be quite a bitchy industry, and the only way to get past that is to rise above it! Also just to generally ignore things like that, because if I took everything to heart I'd just have given up!

And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
I'd love to work with Atsuko Kudo Latex with the models Ophelia Overdose and Countess-Grotesque!

Model Interview
Spitfire Punk:- Performer, model, Godfather of punk and an awesome individual!

So, the question that everyone just has to ask in an interview: What made you decide to give modelling a shot?
Well I guess its all down to a few good people I know & love; But mainly my Tattooist Rob (Squidink Tattoo – Folkestone) and Thao Nguyen an American student photojournalist. Rob Always told me that I should give modelling a go because I was used to having my picture taken, as having a big blue Mohawk in a small tourist coastal town always attracted attention. Thao gave me that opportunity when she asked to take pictures of me & my friends outside a pub in London. Since then I’ve worked with loads of photographers, met so many good people and gained more extended family members.
 


Who/what is your inspiration?
I'll draw inspiration from many things, could just be whats floating in my head from after watching TV, or after seeing someone else's pics and thought that I could do that better or with a certain twist etc. So the short answer, anything & everything haha.
 


What was your most interesting shoot to date?
Well every shoot is different and stands out in it own way, so I can't pick just one. However after attending Fozfest, the whole weeks is a great memory.  Basically, for people that don't know what fozfest was, over 20 models & photographers living together for a week in a beautiful remote location in North Scotland. So lots of friends were made, lots of weird and wonderful conversations as well as shoots.
 


Where do you see yourself and your modelling in 5 years time?
Well I'll be an old timer of 30 then.... hopefully I'll still be shooting every so often (obviously dependant on how well I age haha). Outside of the modelling I'll hopefully be in a steady job & earning a decent living, probably all settled down with a loved one.
 


So many models have side projects, do you have one? Or would you like one?
Well I dont know if I'd call it a side project, but I do love to fire spin & fire breathe! I've been spinning poi for many years now and nothing beats performing for people at a big event, or getting totally wasted and spinning glow poi in the middle of a club/rave.
 


Okay, let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on shooting/clothing/travel?
Well if surviving counts as coping then I guess I am.....just. Im currently unemployed and have been for sometime now, and after shaving off my hawk to let it re-grow bigger im also not undertaking any modelling work at present (hopefully back by early summer this year with any luck).....so just plain old dole scum for the time being.  But generally I dont have to put alot of my own money into my shoots, I wear my own clothes as they are normally suitable, and I dont usually travel too far unless my travel expenses are met or I can be collected etc.
 


Have you ever been unfortunate enough to have a bad experience with a photographer?
I've been quite lucky and not really had any 'bad' experiences with photographers. It may well be that photographers dont want to anger another guy as opposed to a girl, as a guy would be more likely to vent in a physical way (possibly???). I've had awkward moments with regards to my first shoot, told myself I wasn't doing any nudity and did. It wasn't the photographers fault, there just wasn't decent communication from me with regards to my levels etc (lesson learnt).



How do you respond to jealous low life who hide behind the internet to only say mean things to bring you down?
Once again I'm quite lucky and can't really recall many incidents that spring to mind. But I'd normally come back with info about all the beautiful people I know and have worked with, all the events I've been to and things I've seen and ask them to have a think about their own lives and compare.... generally they go quiet after heh heh.
 


What is more important to you: Getting paid, or getting exposure?
If there was actually any decent money in this line of work for me then I would say getting paid, but only because ive been doing this for years and I've been told im relatively well known in this style of work.... so exposure isn't really that important to me. However, as there isn't any decent money involved, then I actually go down the exposure route as thats the only route available.
 


Everyone knows that a model has to feel sexy and comfortable with themselves. When do you feel at your sexiest and most comfortable?
I feel quite sexy when im fire performing... I guess it's all the attention :P   Otherwise it's probably when I've actually bothered to dress up for a night out and am in a good mood etc..... and by dress up I mean 'washed my clothes'  haha



We know that you are only human! With that in mind, what is your most embarrassing moment on set and off?
oooohhhh.... now this is tough for me as I rarely have any shame haha. On set, I guess it would be related to the more....errr... adult stuff I've done. It's not always easy to 'stand to attention' with photographers in the room, dependant on the situation etc, but things can happen that take your mind off the job at hand and well...I think you lot can probably grasp the point here haha.
Off set I cant really think of much, most likely regular stuff like falling over, falling off my skateboard, spilling my pint haha. Oh, just thought of one.... I once set fire to my mohawk during a fire performance... that was pretty embarrasing, I looked a right state after as well  :s
 


What is your pet hate for photographers?
Poor communication. Sometimes it can't be helped, and everyone has their lives to lead, we all understand this. But sometimes some people just can't be bothered...that pises me right off.



What is your pet hate for models?
Divas. I can't stand some people when they have their own head up their arse! Once again, sometimes understandable if they are playing a character for a performance or something related...but off the set its not needed. Also people that call themselves models because their mate got a camera for christmas and had a few shots done..... call yourself a model when you can book your own shoots regularly and have more than one reference ;)
 


Sometimes, you just gotta learn some lessons in life the hard way. What do you think has been the most valuable lesson you have learnt along the way in your modelling journey?
Reputation can make or break you. Unless you are something completely special or unique that has people flocking to work with you, try not to piss the wrong people off. Like in life, try and trust the right people and be wary of what you say infront of people you dont know... and remember that true friend stab you in the front.
 


And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
oooooohhhhh....... so many answers I could put here. For models I would say either my good friend 'Madame Bink' or 'Ulorin Vex', and as for the photographer, I'd like to work with Marc De Groot again... though preferably somewhere nice and hot (so not in England).

Model interview
Miss Lily Stark:- Beautiful lady who I have had the pleasure to meet and work with!

So, the question that everyone just has to ask in an interview: What made you decide to give modelling a shot?
One of my friends, Sugar Cain, introduced me to OTN Photographic and we did a shoot at his place in Scotland and it all kicked off from there really.



Who/what is your inspiration?
Miss Mosh and Ulorin Vex are the main models I draw inspiration from for my poses, make up and clothing ideas, they are amazing and I aim to be as well known as them! The key photographer I love is Lithium Picnic, that man is a god and I hope to work with him soon!



What was your most interesting shoot to date?
My most interesting shoot? Hmm shoots with Asylumsevety7 are always interesting, he is full of cool and messy ideas, one of the shoots we did I had marmite and cream dripping out of my mouth!



Where do you see yourself and your modelling in 5 years time?
I hope to be a product model, and have become the face of a few big make up brands and clothes too and still loving every second of been in front of the camera and giving it my all.



So many models have side projects, do you have one? Or would you like one?
At the moment no as I'm trying to just push my modelling. Though in the future I would like to be a choreographer for other peoples shoots and give direction on helping to get the perfect image.



Okay, let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on shooting/clothing/travel?
Yes unfortunately I have on all 3 counts! So I have been trying to get clothing shoots or booking shoots further apart which is annoying but I'm still shooting at least :D



Have you ever been unfortunate enough to have a bad experience with a photographer?
I've been pretty lucky and not had any really bad experiences so far. I think the worst was when a photographer got a bit too excited on a underwear shoot :s



How do you respond to jealous low life who hide behind the internet to only say mean things to bring you down?
I have not encountered this as of yet, thank god! Though I have seen a lot of it on forums etc, I think it is really sad that some people can't just look at other peoples work and say well done when it is great and instead have to bitch because they haven't worked as hard as that person. If this ever happens to me I will just leave it and if I ever meet the person just ask them why they feel that way about my work.



What is more important to you: Getting paid, or getting exposure?
For me I would say exposure, I want to become a house hold name in the modelling and photography world.



Everyone knows that a model has to feel sexy and comfortable with themselves. When do you feel at your sexiest and most comfortable?
I feel my most sexy and comfortable when I'm in front of the camera and I know I'm doing a great job and I can tell that the photographer thinks that too.



We know that you are only human! With that in mind, what is your most embarrassing moment on set and off?
OMG! When it snowed before Christmas I was walking past some shops and all the snow fell off the roof and hit me! I was covered and pulling snow balls out of my hair :(



What is your pet hate for photographers?
Photographers who don't have a clue what they want from the shoot so you just muddle through it



What is your pet hate for models?
Stuck up models who can't accept the other people model too and think they are the only people who should model.



Sometimes, you just gotta learn some lessons in life the hard way. What do you think has been the most valuable lesson you have learnt along the way in your modelling journey?
Hmm I would say stay true to yourself and do what you want, don't get forced to do things just because the photographer says do it and always push to be better don't just stay the same and not try.



And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
It has to be Lithium Picnic! His work is amazing and always different/unique!

Photographer Interview
John McIntire:- Yorkshire based American with an amazing eye for studio work, detail and beauty

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
I’ve had a latent interest in since I was very young.  It wasn’t until 2004 until I did something about it though and purchased my first camera.



Who/what is your inspiration?
At first it was the likes of National Geographic that got my interest piqued. I had no interest in working with people until I came across my first copy of Vogue. Seeing all the images, that quite obviously took an enormous amount of creativity and hard work from an entire creative team, just took my breath away and I said “I want to be part of that!” From there I discovered the likes of Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Nick Knight, Terry Richardson, Guy Bourdin, Lithium Picnic, Miles Aldridge (the list goes on and on) and never really looked back!



What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
That’s a tough one! There’s a few, but nothing particularly outlandish. Well, on my second shoot with a pair of burlesque performers, six women showed up for a shoot in my ever so tiny loft space. That was certainly interesting. More recently, I did a shoot for an art gallery for publicity for one of their upcoming exhibitions and one of the sets involved a pair of models precariously perched on a small ledge 30 feet above the floor!



Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
As I’ve just recently gone full-time as a photographer, the goal is to have my business solidly established and by that time have moved away from portraiture and more towards the commercial and editorial side of things.



Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
I try my best to keep myself to myself, so I haven’t really had any issues there; however, my wife, very unfortunately, seems to receive heavy criticism on my behalf from detractors in her circles.



So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
I’m going to jump out on a very thin limb and say that the current recession will hopefully prove to be a blessing. I quit my full-time job just as all the banks started going under. The logic is, if I can do what I have to to keep afloat in the hard times, the good times will roll back around eventually and the lessons learned should be invaluable.



Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
Enthusiasm. Politeness. Open-mindedness. I’m not very demanding.



We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
When someone who’s walked in, clearly hard on their self and very low on confidence, then walks away absolutely beaming and full of enthusiasm. That’s job satisfaction enough for me.



There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
In every way; I suck. Really, the thing I intend to work on most is conceptualising. I would really like to stop thinking in terms of individual photos and work more on cohesive sets that tell stories as a whole.



Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Yes. But that’s between me and me.



What is your pet hate for models?
Just show up please. Oh and please don’t expect 40+ hours of post-processing to happen overnight.



What is your pet hate for photographers?
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? One. Then ninety-nine, to say how they would do it differently. Just because your way works doesn’t mean the next person’s method, vision or style isn’t just as valid. Get over yourself. plskthx



Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
Entirely self taught by way of every magazine, book and internet article I could get my hands on.



Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
Don’t put too much weight on what other people think. Once you bow to the expectations and specification of others, it stops being personal.



And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
Honestly? I have no idea. Just never really thought about it like that. Well Apnea and Mosh are two of my favourite models, so I guess them!

Photographer Interview
Nitemare Photography:- Beautifully colourful, fantastically edited and breath taking photography!

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
I use to draw and do a lot of manipulation, I mainly enjoyed it when I pranced around infront of a camera and photoshop myself onto some weird background (they were seriously awful). I just decided that photographing other people on location was more fun. It all grew from that (:



Who/what is your inspiration?
When I drive or walk, the locations and things I see inspire me a lot. I could be walking to work and see something really simple which could instantly trigger an idea that I have to follow through. I also admire photographers such as Lithium Picnic & David La’Chapelle, I have them to thank for inspiring me to develop the style I have now.
I love colour, seeing an awesome colour combination can instantly make me start thinking of an idea for a shoot, could be the outfit or could even be the models hair.



What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
I’m lucky that 99% of all my shoots are really interesting as the models are dressed so incredibly that it draws attention which leads to many stories. One challenging shoot was in the rain with Floz on our Pirate Lolita set, trying to capture waves at their best whilst trying not to get yourself, the model and your camera wet. I thought I was going to loose Floz to the waves!
I think my most interesting was when I stayed in Grimsby for a few days and shot with Lady Wildflower and Miss Cobweb. I’m not familiar with the north, particularly when it comes to chavs and general ignorance. We had a lot of funny things shouted at us. But I think the cherry on the cake was the weird farmer taking a liking to Jayde whilst shooting our Snow White photos. When she was getting herself sorted in my car he drove past in his truck and waved like a crazy man…hilarious stuff!



Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
I really hope to have started the process of opening my own studio in Canterbury . I also would like to have progressed more with editorial work as well as advertising work. I find myself wishing a lot…I just got to work my arse off to achieve my dreams.



Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
I get it on a regular basis online. People like to pick at my editing and how it’s ‘over edited’. I do tend to get defensive as I feel every photographer has a right to their own style. I don’t want to show images shot straight off my camera, I want to make them into art. It’s what makes them what they are. I essentially use a digital darkroom, I dodge and burn…just like you would in a real darkroom. I do, however, need to let these things go and just do art that pleases myself and those who like it.



So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
I’m lucky (as everyone’s said in their answer to this) as I’ve always had a full time job. Models tend to come to me which saves me petrol, when I am asked to travel I just ask them to help me with the travelling costs. I’ve never really invested in props (something I do want to start doing) so that’s something I haven’t had to worry about.
At the end of the day I have a mortgage to pay, but this hasn’t meant I’ve had to cut back on shooting…luckily.



Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
I look for diversity in a portfolio. Or sometimes the complete opposite. If I see a model with potential but with a crap portfolio, I like the idea of essentially helping them kick start their portfolio.
I am drawn to colourful hair, great style, a diverse wardrobe and I love great use of legs/feet. I like breaking the rules of fashion (especially Lolita), if I see a portfolio with just mirror shots with a great style and likes to mix fashion, I might just say yes.



We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
When I know the model had a great time as well as myself. I get easily excited when I feel like I have ‘the shot’, when the model shows the same enthusiasm I am fully satisfied it has been a great shoot. Also when I come to edit them down and I struggle to narrow it down to the final trio, I’m even happier.



There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
I would love to learn how to use my flash gun to it’s full potential on location. I sometimes do a whole shoot and not realize until I edit them that there are unattractive shadows on the face, or the sky is bleached out because I had to evenly expose the model and completely forgot about the surroundings.
I also would like to use a lot more props and concepts rather than just fashion shoots.



Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Not necessarily. I have with a MUA though. The whole shoot went wrong due to miss communication. It got out of hand so I deleted the images and that was that. It was unnecessary and ridiculous.



What is your pet hate for models?
Those who think they are so hot that they don’t need to pay for a shoot and just by emailing they assume you will agree to doing TFP.



What is your pet hate for photographers?
Those who are in cliques and male photographers who think you should be modelling, not shooting, as you’re a female with tits.



Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
I started off with education (A-level & BTEC) and wanted to go onto University but was declined from my first choice Uni. I then went on to having studio based jobs where I learnt on the job or from the odd person willing to give me their time. Other than that I learn as I go along.
I learn things, forget about them then years later think ‘hmm I wonder how I do that’, look it up and realise ‘oh yeah, I knew that!’. It’s a vicious cycle.



Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
That things don’t just happen. Only you can make them happen.



And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
I think to be able to work with Viktoria, Raquel Reed, Dita Von Teese and MUAs such as Bea Sweet.
Vivienne Westwood, La’Chapelle & crazy photoshop artists like Frizzy Cube.
I dream of working with Japanese fashion brands and magazines too!

Photographer Interview

Phil Winterbourne:- Fantastic inspiring individual. Constantly expanding his creativity to new levels and one of the nicest photographers I have ever met.

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
I suppose this depends of what you mean by “be a photographer”. My dad is a photographer, so we always had cameras around and the first SLR I ever used was his fully manual OM1 in the late 70’s early 80’s. He bought me a film compact for my 17th birthday which I used to record my life and my friends. I continued with this and it’s replacements throughout my life, taking landscapes, family or holiday snaps. But my standard of photography was not good. What made me become a photographer rather than a snapper was my first digital camera which I got in 2001. Just a small compact, but being able to see what you were taking straight away gave me the chance to experiment and get better.
Also at this time a group of photographers at work started a monthly competition with good critique and feedback. I started entering and quickly learnt the basic rules of photography from the critique I got from the better people. Soon I was regularly winning the comp.



Who/what is your inspiration?
Simply – Beauty! I love beautiful things and seek to create beauty in all of my work. It doesn’t mater if it’s a landscape, a scene of urban dereliction or a human face I want to capture beauty.
As for who – about the time I started getting very serious about photography I stumbled across this guys model work http://www.andrewfphotography.com/ I thought to myself “I wish I could take pictures like that” Andy still inspires me now, he has such an eye, he still amazes me sometimes.
Otherwise I like to buy the high end fashion magazines like 125, No.ise, ID, Dazed and Confused as they are packed full of world class inspirational model photography



What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
Another tricky question! Who thought these up!! I’ve had lots of shoots that were interesting, but all for different reasons. My first ever shoot when I was so nervous that the pictures would be awful and the model would hate them... I was shaking so much I could hardly hold the camera.
The first time I used off camera flashes to control the light I was shooting a friends daughter and blue gelled my rear flash to make a drab underpass suddenly a place of mystery and magic... that was pretty amazing.
Another memorable one was when I was shooting a model called Laura out on the east coast in April. She’s come up with a nice styled mermaid look and insisted in getting into the freezing sea! I can still hear her screams now.
More recently I worked with an amazing model called Mina. Between us we exchanged many lengthy emails and developed a couple of really effective themes. Stories if you like, so each picture has it’s own internal tale to tell. For me this was a Eureka moment, to be really effective images have to be complete, they must have internal congruence, they must make sense, they need to give a framework for the viewer to make up his or her own explanation as to what’s going on. I look back on my earlier work now and see “pretty girl in front of random background” They are still good pictures, but they are not as good as my recent stuff.



Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
Where am I likely to be? Or where do I dream of being? If it’s the firs I thing photography will still be just a hobby that I fit in round my day job. I’d like to think that I’ll continue to grow and develop my skills and because of that be able to work with better and better models.
But my dream...... isn’t that much different really. Realistically I know there is no way I can match my current salary from photography so it would still be a hobby. But I still want more success and recognition. Ideally in 5 years I’ll have been published a lot more, and in better places. If I could get a set into Dazed and Confused or 125 mag I would be a very very happy man. Also I’d love for a local agency to notice me and get me on board for their portfolio shots.



Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
Not at all, no.



So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
From a shooting perspective I don’t pay models so there hasn’t been an impact there. As I said my day job is comfortably paid so I haven’t had to sell any gear yet. In fact this year I Got my studio set up with a friend, so can’t complain much about the economy.



Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
That’s an even harder question!! The reason it is so hard is because as I said my ultimate goal is capturing beauty and beauty is so subjective. The fascination of people photography derives from the infinite variety of the human face and body. So the first and overriding characteristic I look for is ‘do I think you are beautiful’.
So in general terms my ideal model is your typical editorial fashion model – very tall, very thin, long legs and a strikingly beautiful face.
But I do shoot models of all shapes and sizes – I just need something to fixate on. It might be your eyes, your mouth, your hair, your legs..... just something that I can see that knocks me off my feet.
The other thing is ideas. If someone contacts me to shoot and just says “love your work, want to shoot” all I have to go on is their looks. Finding new and exciting concepts for shoots is very hard, and the onus is so often on the photographer to dream them up. If you contact me and say “I love your work and have this idea. I’d like to shoot in a 1950’s Hollywood style, something like the attached pic, I have sorted out my wardrobe and have attached a pic of me in it...” I am much more likely to agree to a shoot.
The other 100% guaranteed method is to offer me money :D



We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
I never have bad shoots, just less good ones! I’m most satisfied when I can see from the back of the camera that I am creating something new and exciting – striking images that are different form anything I have done before, And that they are complete - that the could tell a story.



There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
There are two sides to photography – the technical and the creative. With both it is a continual learning curve. Technically I am working on my studio lighting right now. I want to just know how to nail any look and to become better at suiting the light to the model. Creatively there is pleanty of room to grow too. Maybe I should shoot fewer more elaborate sets, especially if I want to get them published in high end places.



Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Other than 2 no-shows - which out of 70 odd shoots isn’t bad given the reputation of “internet models”. On the whole my models have been interesting and pleasant people. Obviously I have clicked with some more than others, But I’m still on talking terms with all of them!



What is your pet hate for models?
Lack of expressions.... most models find pulling off convincing expressions the hardest thing to do... and it shows. My ideal of a story telling image requires emotion as an element. And I can’t do that with a pout!



What is your pet hate for photographers?
I hate loath and despise any photographer who just takes pictures so he (and I guess it’s almost always a he) can see naked girls. Quite apart from the shockingly awful images that are generated, it builds a reputation that decent artistically motivated photographers are always having to fight against.



Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
Another ambiguous question as no one is ever completely self taught. We look around and see other work and learn from that. I did (well am still doing – I never finished it yet) a diploma in photography run by Amateur Photographer magazine. This was really helpful in nailing some of the basics of the technical side. And more recently I spent a good weekend with a guy Simon Young who runs courses for portrait photography. Other than that it’s been reading books, searching the net, getting involved on forums, and just looking at pictures.



Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
Always take off the lens cap J
More seriously, and particular to model work – remember you are hooting a person. It is so easy to get so engrossed in what you are doing to remember that you have a real live subject in front of you. Communicate, relate, emphasise and engage with your subject or you will always get poor pictures.



And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
But I have so many!!
I keep on coming back to a set in an old 125 mag with Hanna R. at Elite Stockholm but it could be any of the top fashion models – shooting high fashion in an amazing location – a stately home, or bombed out street... something like that.

Photographer Interview
Jay Mawson:- Possibly the best photographer on his street! Fantastic artist, creative and unique.

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
That's two separate decisions; millions of people pick up a camera every single day, but if they stopped to think about it, only a small handful would ever call themselves a photographer. And of that handful, there's an even smaller number that I'd call photographers. I bought a camera because I love toys and it was just about the only modern toy I didn't own. The decision to be a photographer came very soon after when I realised I could take a photograph that other people wanted to look at.



Who/what is your inspiration?
Order, symmetry, stillness and beauty inspire me. These things inspired me before I started to look at the work of other photographers. Early inspiration came from Andreas Gursky. Then Gregory Crewdson after I saw his tableau on a BBC documentary. Since I moved to portraiture and fashion images I keep returning to Erwin Olaf, Hannah Starkey, Benedict Campbell, Richard Kern and Steven Meisel. I'm a photography book junkie though - I must have thousands of pounds of books and magazines. Visually hungry, to quote Rankin.



What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
Every shoot is interesting and challenging in its own way. A recent week long shoot in France was particularly memorable, purely as I had to devise 12 distinct editorial shoots in 6 days for 19 models of varying ability in an area I had no knowledge of and without a studio in sight...



Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
I haven't even owned a camera for 5 years yet, so I'm still very much finding my feet technically and stylistically. In 5 years I'd hope to be commercially successful enough to fund personal projects. An editorial in a national magazine is my current goal.



Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
Yes - Martin Parr, Brett Rogers (director of the Photographer's Gallery) and Alex Proud (owner of Proud Galleries) were all extremely critical of my first very public stabs at portraiture. Not stupidly so, but their critique stung hard. I hate failure, so I guess they're directly responsible for me moving into shooting people. I'll keep practising until I get the hang of  it.



So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
Photography is not a source of income for me, so the pinch felt in the industry generally (which started well before the wider economic slump) hasn't affected me. I'm lucky enough to be able to fund a studio and equipment regardless of whether it pays for itself or not.



Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
This very much ties into the answer to the last question - I've turned down shoots for a fair number of 'models' down who were willing to pay me a decent price for a portfolio. If there's nothing about a person that catches my attention, or they can't play to the camera then I'm not interested, full stop. What I look for now is simple - generally, I look for a model rather than a person who just stands in front of a camera. The internet modelling sites are 95% wannabees playing at being models. It's an insult to professional models - modelling really is a vocation, which I've only started to realise myself over the last year. Having said that, the same is true of photographers, togs, GWCs whatever. There is a market for everyone - but some people definitely confuse what they're doing with 'photography' and 'modelling'. Which hasn't really answered your question yet. What I look for in a model for my own projects is quite straight forward really - beauty, spirit or simple sex appeal. What I look for in a model for commercial shoots is professionalism, experience and suitability for the brief.



We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
The most satisfying shoots are invariably those that are well planned. Nothing beats having a crystal idea and a full creative team to realise that vision.



There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
I'd like more discipline and more budget - to find killer locations and rely less on the warmth and comfort of the studio; to go back to basics and shoot more natural light in beautiful surroundings. To go out and speak to people to open doors that won't open themselves.



Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Too many to mention - it's made me jaded, cynical and very direct. When a 'model' turns to you and admits they have no idea how to pose, or throws a strop because they're not keen on the makeup, or is totally unable to take your direction, or only has one facial expression then I've been known to cut the shoot very short indeed. In balance, I've had far more great experiences than bad ones - which makes the bad ones more tolerable.



What is your pet hate for models?
Chaperones. Poor communication. Too much communication. Text speak. Not showing up. Hair extensions. Bad nails, bad teeth, bad skin, bad hair. Telling me I can 'photoshop something later'. Complaining that they look fat. Turning up with clothes screwed up in a carrier bag. Calling photographers 'togs'. Expecting travel expenses on a test shoot. Um - I'll stop now...



What is your pet hate for photographers?
Too much focus on the technical at the expense of the emotional. Poor quality images. Mistaking making a living from photography for being a photographer.



Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
Completely self taught



Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
To take criticism and advice on board when the person giving it is qualified to do so. Listening to one mentor in particular brought my photography on in leaps and bounds. I wish I'd listened to him sooner.



And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
Grace Coddington, Harvey Nichols, Hasselblad, Natalia Vodianova and Scarlett Johannson

Jamie Mahon

Photographer Interview

Jamie Mahon:- Alternative photographic wonder, creative genius and photoshop extreme!

Let's get the obvious question out of the way: what made you decide to pick up a camera and be a photographer?
When I was at Wrexham uni there was a photography element to the course, during that time i spent quite a lot of time in the dark room discovering my style of photography. One of the first images of Wrexham train station that I did got me hooked, even though it's mainly redundant in the digital age but spending all day in a darkroom seeing these images come to life before your eyes in the developer is a feeling sorely missed.
 


Who/what is your inspiration?
My favourite photographer is Bob Carlos Clarke who is an inspiration in regards to the high quality and narrative in his images, I even had the good fortune to have a quick chat with Tim Woodward at the Skin Two North Fetish Ball and learn what he was like as a person. Other inspiration is cinema, not to the extent of copying but to composition and lighting. And finally comic books, to create something that is larger than life and isn't constrained by our reality.
 


What has been your most interesting shoot to date?
Not to sound PC but they've all been interesting... The first one with Hexabelle where we was just doing Fonejacker impressions during the shoot... The Sweeney Todd images with Ivy Midsomer... The crutches with Lolita Trash and nearly going flying... All the times working with Kira Krueger as she's mental at throwing great ideas into the mix... They've all been great.
 


Where do you see yourself and your photography in 5 years time?
Probably still doing TFCD work, I don't see myself going any further than this. I would love to say I've be one of the top alternative photographers in the UK but I'll see what happens.
 


Have you ever had people being stupidly negative towards you and your work? and how did you deal with it?
Not that many people dislike my work... and if they do I tend to not give a flying fuck, unless of course it's constructive.
 


So let's talk news, how are you coping with the economic climate? Have you had to cut back on equipment/shooting in general?
Not been an issue as I have a decent set up... yes, I could do with a new camera... yes, I could do with a new graphics tablet... yes, i could do with some lighting accessories... I make do with what I do and don't have, my philosophy is to make something out of nothing.
 


Let's say I'm a model, and I want to work with you really bad! What would you look for in me before considering me as a potential model?
There has to be a unique quality where I see potential, something that inspires me to come up with a concept. I need to be inspired more than anything else, i want to see the potential to propose a concept the model hasn't doesn't before. Biggest examples of this is Hexabelle where she got all cyber'd up and with AndromedaX where I turned her into a Supervillain, they was things I hadn't seen them do before.  
 


We know that every photographer has good and bad shoots, but when are you most satisfied with a shoot?
When myself and the model have a laugh during the shoot and reviewing the images and we both see potential of what I can do in the computer. When the model understands what I'm going to be doing further down the line, when they're on the same page as it were. I also have the bad habit whilst looking through the viewfinder and doing an Austin Powers impression stating how great the model is then I get a really good pose and angle, this means I'm really happy.
 


There is always room for improvement! Where/how would you like to improve with your photography?
To be more confident with myself, to figure out how to do location work more and utilise my flash gun on location. I want a car for this year so i can get out to locations, can't really drag a model on the bus can I... I want to get my results more in camera rather than in photoshop... that would be the most I'd like to improve. And learn Adobe Lightroom and Bryce, that would be good too!!!
 


Have you ever had a bad experience with a model?
Someone who was 3 hours late leaving me hanging at Leeds Train Station all that time... I should have walked but I just waited and was in the mood to go mental... but, ended up shooting anyway and discovered a few new techniques in the end.
 


What is your pet hate for models?
Being up their own backside expecting me to be this big time professional... I'm a simple man, I don't have a large studio and is more make-shift than anything else, my lighting equipment is second hand and does the best it can, I don't have an assistant or a make-up artist on hand. Several times I've been engaged in a dialogue with models and I've always been upfront, and as soon as I'm honest about what I've got they've buggered off, they seem to expect I have more than what the reality is.
 


What is your pet hate for photographers?
Not being serious about the craft, there's a lot of guys out there more interested in taking blatant nude and fetish shots that border on porn, and being a general pervert with models.
 


Are you self taught? Or did you attend photography classes/courses?
it started in Wrexham but then moved to doing a degree in Newport. having said that there wasn't really any tuition on practical lighting techniques, they was going through the motions of what had been taught before. Over the past 3 years it's mainly self taught and experimentation.
 


Sometimes you just have to learn lessons in life the hard way, what would you say has been your most valuable lesson along your photographic journey?
Don't trust people who offer you the chance of going further in return of a "portfolio" piece. I had the misfortune of being contacted by a singer and her manager for a shoot, did some cracking work, some of my best but when it came round to the future and maybe payment I got blown off. I didn't end up giving them the final images. From now on I don't trust a verbal promise to extend my career, I was too trusting and ended up spending over 100 hours doing photoshop and graphic design work. It's not worth the pain and I advise everyone to be wary, wouldn't want anyone having the same experience as myself.
 


And finally, what would be your dream collaboration?
I'd be happy to work with decent wardrobe stylists and clothing designers and a good make up artist. There's no one in particular.