What does friendship mean to you?

Community, support, respect and fun. Friendships have allowed me to forge my own career. I never knew what I wanted to do, but I did know that I wanted to be in something creative. I started off in retail and that influenced the beginning of my journey, as the people I met during this time also went on to follow similar paths within the industry. Without the support of my friends, I’m not sure I’d be doing what I do today. Obviously, I’ve been lucky enough to have the support of family too, but it’s my friends that have truly helped me to push boundaries and grow outside of the bubble of my hometown.

What brought you into Photography? 

As I mentioned before, I knew I wanted to be in something creative, but I wasn’t entirely sure what. I started taking photos when I was 18 with an old film camera - just of friends mostly. I met David - who is still a close friend to this day - in my retail job who was into hiking and photography, and I decided to join him for which would have been my first hike at the age of 21. We ended up visiting locations I’d never been to before - Glen Coe, for example - and that’s when it started. The two pastimes just ended up working so well together! So, I’d been doing that ever since with my free time. Friday night after work I’d go camping prior to my shift on the Saturday morning and that’s how dedicated I became.

This eventually led to me getting jobs here and there, before I landed my first internship in Copenhagen for a fashion company called Norse Projects. It was a very organic approach. I didn’t go to art school or anything like that. It was a hobby and passion that turned into a career, and I’m very grateful for that. However, I did put in a lot of time and money into making it happen. Internships weren’t paid well, and Copenhagen wasn’t a cheap city to live in! 

Sometimes I’d be paying rent on credit cards (which I wouldn’t recommend!) but I also wouldn’t change it. I guess that’s the stuff people don’t know. We can often just expect the work to simply come but it takes graft.

What sets you apart in the industry?

Well, I don’t want to blow my own trumpet! I love landscape photography a lot, and it’s something that gives you a lot of return. Not only that but it’s heathy for yourself to be out in nature – it’s something that I think everyone should do. I feel I wanted to offer a modern approach to landscape photography opposed to the more traditional images we see. So instead of just shooting a wide lens, it’s figuring out the details that I enjoy about that vista: when a dapple of light comes through, the clouds illuminate a small part of a mountain, capturing the summit. That for me, it’s a small crop – it’s focusing on a small element from the wider view. So, yeah, I like to think I’ve got a fresh approach and embody a more contemporary colour palette – it’s not as saturated and vibrant. I like more considered colourways – when it’s moody and conditions outside are foggy, dusky skies and sunsets; that’s where the softness comes from. I’ll go out at a certain time of day just to get the right shot. Hopefully that stands out and is the language that can be seen in my work. Also, a nod to fashion and architecture – a lot of these mediums inspire my work, too. 

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the industry? 

Erm, I think as long as you’re immersing yourself in the industry and enjoy what you’re doing. It’s not always about the end goal and finding a job, its more about getting the right shot and finding out what your chosen subject matter is. I started out photographing people, but I found I preferred capturing moments of stillness - after someone has just left a room, you know when a book is sitting open or there’s a coffee that’s been left to go cold. I think finding what it is you’re interested in is the first step and then begin shooting it all of the time – immerse yourself in it. It took me almost ten years to form a career path out of photography. In short, it would be to not look too far ahead – it’s the journey. Also, just being a nice person goes a long way! Going back to the idea of friendships – it was building on these relationships that opened doors to future opportunities. If it wasn’t for the community I’ve built here in Glasgow, I’m not sure I’d be where I am now. 

What project are you most proud of to date?

Not to sound corny, but the most recent brief I received from Johnstons of Elgin meant a lot to me. The brand itself is very significant to Scotland, fashion, and you guys have a mutual appreciation for nature. I had free reign to do what I wanted to do in Scotland – I was given a mood board and colour references, inspired by the new collection, to go by. So, it just enabled me so much creative freedom to go and do what I love doing – I mean I’m being paid to go and do what I love most on this project! 

Tell us a bit more about the shoot that you worked on with us for AW24. 

In some ways, when I look at an open brief like this one, it’s so ambiguous that you can be like “what do I start?”, and in many ways that can be extremely overwhelming. I understood what it was you liked on the project I worked on previously and how the images were used. The colour scheme was the brief, so I made sure to put this at the forefront. I would shoot at dusk to capture the blue tones and then at sunset and sunrise to get in the purples, pinks and oranges. Green I’d be able to capture through foliage. When it came to the wintry shoots it was all about getting in the icier tones. Then I narrowed it down to location and thought about the places where I would want to shoot. Where’s the places that I like, and think are beautiful and celebrate Scotland the most? So, I opened my Google Maps and thought I’m going to head to Skye, Torridon and Gairloch. Then on the drive up I also made a stop at Glen Coe. I timed each location on when I could expect to capture those key colourways in the sky and scenery. It’s great when you see the images that have been selected and you see that it really comes together. 

If you had to described Johnstons of Elgin in three words, what would they be?

Considered, quality and heritage. 

If you weren’t in your current profession, what do you think you would be doing?

Architecture. I appreciate attention to detail, slow process, homes and interiors. 

What question would you like to ask our next guest?

What has been the happiest period of your life and why?"

Any final words?

It’s been reflective talking about my journey and I think it’s important for others to know that it’s not been easy; there’s been a lot of hard work that’s gone not carving out my career. I’m genuinely passionate about what I do, and I think that’s really important. Freelance can be hard because it’s just you. That’s why it’s been nice working with Johnstons of Elgin and being part of a team again.