"Since the early days of my journey, The Photography Show has nurtured my creative growth”

Photography is a form of magic. It freezes a moment in time, crafting connections in both our memories of the past and also to each other as human beings existing on this earth in our own timelines. As an artist’s tool,
I appreciate that photography has allowed me to cultivate a skillset and open up my world by creating interesting and meaningful human connections. It has also become the primary way for me to make tangible the stories
I dream of and want to tell. 

Photography is how I connect with the Earth, her flowers and seasons, her light and shadow, her scents and softness. Through this medium, I get to create experiences that connect me to those with whom I work and, in turn, connect us to our inner child… it offers a chance to slip back into pure childish joy and explore all the possibilities of bringing a vision to life.

We should never underestimate the power of representation. By incorporating diverse influences, I hope to inspire others to be proud of their heritage and to share their own stories. Being aware of the value of diversity can serve as a tool for creative ideas, cultural exchange and understanding, breaking down barriers and fostering empathy. It makes our art more accessible and relatable to a broader audience, connecting us human to human.

Beauty in Bloom was a passion project and a chance to connect with my audience. At the time, I frequently photographed models and muses who had become friends. However, I yearned to capture real people in my signature style and share their stories. I invited my audience to reach out if they wished to be photographed and share a bit about themselves, particularly any current life experiences or struggles.

I had the privilege of highlighting their unique beauty while providing a space for openness and empowerment. Please check out the Beauty in Bloom video on my YouTube channel to fully appreciate the glimpses into these courageous individuals and our collaborative creative process. Projects like these nourish my soul. Being able to uplift others through my photography is a gift. Beauty in Bloom embodied my desire to see everyone as the works of art they are.

The vast majority – around 90 per cent – of my outdoor shoots use only natural light. I have learned to observe the sun’s path and position throughout the day and also to spot whether there are natural reflectors in the environment that I can take advantage of. While post-processing allows me to refine the lighting ambience, it all stems from amplifying what was available on location.

When I do opt for a light, my go-to is the Profoto A1 with a Clicbox. This compact yet powerful setup is easy for me to transport and quick to rig on-site. It’s been a game-changer. The emphasis remains on crafting a lighting aesthetic that feels organic to the scene.

The majority of my process – let’s say around 70 per cent – is dedicated to thoughtful planning. That includes finding the right model, securing the location, styling, research and conceptualising ideas. This advanced work lays the foundations, but I leave plenty of room in the other 30 per cent for some spontaneity and spur-of-the-moment inspiration.

I try not to become too attached to an idea. There is magic to be found when we allow the shoot’s energy to guide things organically.

When I’m on set, I’m already tapped into the vision of the end result – the colours, vibrance, expressions, poses and the overall story. I can already see the final image in vivid detail. This allows me to be fully immersed in that creative headspace while shooting. Then during editing, I try to sustain that energy. I’ll put on music or a documentary as I meticulously enhance the narrative, one step at a time. My goal is to amplify the vision I connected with on set and it’s a meditative process. I love the creative flow state both during the shoot and in post-production.

Onlythecurious evolved from my desire to connect and provide value to the community. By showcasing not only my artistic approach but also the creative visions of other leading photographers, it has become a nurturing space for our community to learn, get inspired and bring more beauty into the world through photography. It represents a central part of my mission to empower others on their artistic path just as others empowered me on mine.

Absolutely. Photography allows me to share my creative vision and AI is proving to be yet another avenue for imagination. While I cherish capturing life’s moments in real-time, I’ve started blending both real and artificial worlds out of curiosity to see what’s possible. Following your curiosity can open doors we never knew existed. 

Though I love tangible experiences, combining photography’s realism with AI’s potential intrigues me. My work has already started interweaving these tools to create something new. The technology may differ but creativity aligns them.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with the UK’s creative photography community at this event. Having attended The Photography Show since the early days of my photography journey, it has nurtured my creative growth over the years. From speaker presentations to demos and vendor discussions – there’s always something new to learn.

I look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, making new friends and soaking up all I can from the wealth of knowledge shared. Events like these, where I’m surrounded by kindred creative spirit, reignite my passion.

I want to share my unique perspectives and how they have shaped my artistic choices and workflow. It’s easy to feel pressure to emulate others’ methods to achieve their success. But in truth, their path won’t be ours – and our paths hold their own value. 

My goal is for attendees to leave with the insight to enrich their craft and the confidence to forge their own trail, not merely follow someone else’s. My aim is to impart actionable knowledge and my wish is that my talk sparks the ability to apply these learnings in a way that aligns with your individuality.