Jerome - London Portrait Photography
The first in our series of photographer interviews with the London event team is Jerome. Originally from France, Jérôme has worked in event and lifestyle photography for 7 years. He brings his experience of street photography to more corporate events, resulting in a more relaxed approach and natural-looking, candid images. He also has extensive experience in the creative industry and studio photography, making him a versatile and adaptable photographer and giving him a thorough understanding of creative briefs, resulting in impactful and emotive imagery that captures your party or event.
Where did you grow up and did that place influence your work?
I grew up in Lens, an old mining town in Northern France. A poor, working-class area, it taught me a lot about how a community can come together to overcome social deprivation, and about the stigma working-class communities can carry in a stratified society. This is something I explore in my personal projects such as Peckhamites, where I tried to cover the rapid changes Peckham is experiencing as well as the diversity of it residents through portraits, and the ongoing No One Likes Us, an immersive photo-documentary inside the world of Millwall FC. It's a fresh look at Millwall supporters that re-evaluates their reputation in contemporary football culture.
How did you get into photography?
Like a lot of people, I started playing with my parents’ camera and soon discovered that it was a medium that allowed me to express much more than the usual cheesy family photos. I started reading about it and discovering amazing photographers and started honing my photography skills from then on - I’m pretty much self-taught!
What’s been the biggest highlight in your career so far?
My Peckhamites exhibition and book launch at Peckham Levels in the summer of 2018.
Is there a project you’ve been wanting to shoot but not had a chance to yet? Dream subject?
I would love doing editorial studio portraiture of artists, actors of musicians - I have a couple of exciting projects coming up, hopefully after this period of confinement.
Which photographer has most influenced your work and why? Which photography book do you keep returning to?
I would say Bruce Gilden for street photography, and Guy Bourdin for editorial. I love the former’s graphic and super intimate street portrait, and I admire the latter’s artistic approach to commercial photography, his meticulous and carefully thought out staging and his groundbreaking use of colour before digital.
What purchase of £100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months or recently?
A second hand traditional Teruyasu kitchen knife I had restored, it’s absolutely fantastic and has contributed to a lot of happiness around me.
Do you have a significant failure in your career that has helped drive your subsequent success?
Not a a particular failure as such, but criticism (sometimes constructive, sometimes not) has helped push my boundaries and step outside of my comfort zone.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made (could be money, time, energy etc)?
Aside from my professional work, it’s the time I’ve invested in my personal photography projects and the people I’ve met along the way. It has taught me a lot about conceiving and planning a series and massively improved my confidence to shoot in challenging conditions.
What is one unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?
As a particularly shy and introverted person, I take a lot of photos of strangers in sometimes very intimidating conditions.
In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?
Meditation has ben a huge help with anxiety and focus.
What recommendations do you have for someone wanting to become a photographer? Or what advice do you wish you’d heard before starting out?
Don’t blag it - whatever the shoot, or event, being a studio session or a wedding, carefully plan it, do your research, practise, and generally have a good idea of the images you want to produce. This will save you a lot of time and stress.
When you are feeling creatively stuck, what do you do or what do you ask yourself?
I look for inspiration in books, online, or in films and I try to learn something new (this could be a new photography or editing technique for example).
What is unique in your work or approach that separates you from other photographers?
I bring my experience of street photography to my commercial work, resulting in a more relaxed approach and natural-looking, candid images
How important do you think social media output and engagement is in the create industry? Has the impact been positive or negative?
I believe it’s a great new to connect with new audiences and other photographers, I think it also creates very positive emulation in the creative industry.
London Portrait Photographer
You can view Jerome’s full portfolio here and you can book him for one of your event or portrait shoots by contacting the office at info@raccoonlondon.com
