The idea for this creative issue came to me in the
Fall. I was working on many other exciting projects and started to miss doing
some thought provoking interviews. I love getting to know the person a bit more
and see what is behind their creative image. Have you ever watched an interview
on TV or read one online and thought, they ask these questions a lot it feels
repetitive? I don’t know about you but I prefer hearing and reading the
unexpected. I have gotten to know quite a lot of creative forces in the fashion
and art industry. It seems everyone who loves to express themselves wishes to
let their voices be heard.
What makes a true artist stand out above the crowd?
Someone who can grab your attention without going over the top. If someone
tends to come off a bit predictable then you as a consumer will expect the same
beige attitude. Sometimes in art and fashion, we take ourselves too seriously,
and I think right now is the moment, we need to laugh a bit more about things.
Perfection is highly overrated, especially when it comes to the creative
industry. It seems more artists in the business, are pulling back from the old
fashioned black and white way of thinking. This is a very refreshing sign,
especially when artists are starting to express more of who they are through
what they love.
It isn’t about the conversations that make an
encounter worthwhile, it is about the company you are in that is so appealing.
I got to know Nick Burrett through our exclusive interview. Burrett is a fashion
photographer in London, born in 1980. A self-taught photographer,
who lived in Asia for 5 years, he moved back to the UK and is now based in
London. Nick has a fun loving adventurer living deep inside him, who loves
coming out in his dynamic work. The leaps he takes through one photograph knows
no bounds. What I loved most about his work was he isn’t a typical fashion
photographer, shooting models and going about his life. Instead when you take a
closer look at his portfolio you almost feel for a second, you are living his
work with him.
Nick travels frequently between Asia, the Middle
East and Europe. Notable and impressive client list he has worked with, Jaguar
and Land Rover, Volvo, JW Marriott, Millennium Hotels, Bank of China, UOB,
Bungesliga among others. His fashion and lifestyle photography, brings out the
best in the model’s mood and attitude. You can feel the luxury leaping out of
the photo. Whether the girl is traveling to many clubs overseas, or just
looking glamorous with her jewels around her neck, Nick captures the moment
with her natural state of mind.
For Hotel & Resort Photography, Burett likes
to follow a professional production process that involves meeting the clients
to discuss ideas, organising extensive location scouting in order to determine
the best angles and times of day to photograph each location. During the actual
production the focus is on lighting each area. Nick spends a great deal of time
working on the images, layering multiple images blending different lighting to
create the finished photograph. So when you take a look at these gorgeous
views, amazing resorts, that look so perfect, just know it isn’t as easy as it
looks to make this art reality. Nick’s photography makes it feel and look so
incredibly effortless.
Since taking a look at his portfolio, it made me
want to know a bit more about the man behind the lens. I decided to ask him 9
coffee conversation questions that are so good you will be coming back for a
refill.
Heather Lisa Noire: What
got you interested in photography to begin with?
Nick Burrett: I had always been
interested in photography, but mainly as just a hobby, I had never really
thought of doing it as a career. I wasn’t until I was 30 and decided to change
careers that I seriously took a look at doing something different and something
that I really enjoyed. That’s when I decided to focus on a career in
photography.
Heather Lisa Noire: Do you
prefer working in fashion photography, or video production?
Nick Burrett: I prefer working in
fashion photography, I find it more creative and artistic.
Heather Lisa Noire: Does
traveling frequently inspire you in your work?
Nick Burrett: Yes, always, I enjoy to
travel so much and travelling opens the mind to different cultures, ideas and
different perspectives. But I find inspiration can strike anywhere, from
discussions with other people, walking down the street to quiet contemplation
on my own.
Heather Lisa Noire: What
are the pros and cons of the industry?
Nick Burrett: I would say one of the
greatest pros is the ability to work anywhere in the world. It’s relatively
easy to move anywhere and be able to get work as a photographer. And many
clients will even pay you to travel and do shoots for them. However, the
biggest con has to be not knowing when or wear your next job will be, sometimes
you can have lots of work and other times you won’t get anything for what seems
like ages. If you can cope with the uncertainty, then it’s not so bad.
Heather Lisa Noire: Who is
your favourite client you have ever worked for?
Nick Burrett: One of my favourite
clients was a hotel in Dubai, the client was so accommodating, and nothing was
too much trouble for them, almost whatever I needed they were happy to provide.
Even to using their yacht to take a couple photos on Dubai Marina.
Unfortunately, clients like this don’t come along very often.
Heather Lisa Noire: Is a
photographer’s life hectic?
Nick Burrett: It can be. When I
organise a full production shoot it can be extremely hectic and almost non-stop
until the shoot and post-production is completed. But I have to say, that there
are times of course where it’s possible to just chill and not have any work to
do. These are the times to savour in between the hectic moments.
Heather Lisa Noire: What
is one thing you would like people to know about you?
Nick Burrett: That’s a hard question.
It would have to be that I’m addicted to mango and sticky rice. After living in
Thailand for a couple of years it’s something I really miss.
Heather Lisa Noire: If you
had the ultimate playlist, what would be on it?
Nick Burrett: I’m actually not a big
listener of music, I listen to it sometimes, but I rarely pay attention to
names so I’m not really up to date with all the latest artists. But my current
playlist has a little bit of Hozier, Gotye, Sia, Razorlight, and J.J.
Cale.
Heather Lisa Noire: Are
you satisfied currently, or are you hungry for more?
Nick Burrett: I’m always hungry for
more! I’m always trying to push myself, trying to improve and get better. I
don’t think I will be satisfied in that sense for a long time, there is always
something else to try for and always another goal to reach. I think if you are
satisfied, you stop trying and become complacent, and that’s something that I
don’t want to do.
Interview Written and Conducted by Heather
Lisa Noire.