Steven Brown was born and raised in Battersea and has lived in Anerley for the last three years. He is a professional photographer specialising in fashion, portraiture and interiors working from his home studio and in the West End.

How did you get into photography?

It started as a hobby when a friend introduced me to black and white photography after I completed my art foundation course at St Martins College. I really enjoyed the results of taking pictures of friends and associates. I quickly realised that it was, for me, the most effective way I could express myself artistically. I really wanted to progress further and therefore went on to study photography at Croydon College and the London College of Printing. After completing my degree at The London College of Printing I went on to assist some prestigious photographers such as Andrew Kolesnikow and Jason Harrington. Seven years ago I set up on my own and I have never looked back.

Do you think it is important to study?

It was for me. I was creative but lacked a little discipline. So I had to learn to be organised. Getting my work and essays in on time stood me in good stead along with learning technical aspects of lighting which suited my artistic side. I have met several professionals who never went to college, but for me a degree, in any discipline is important and does add gravitas to you CV.

How is your work split?

70% fashion, 20% portrait, and 10% interiors.

What are the differences in each area?

Well, I like the combination as you have to bring different skills to each area.

For fashion shoots it’s not just about turning up and taking a photo. There are lots of meetings, liaising with magazines editorial team to discuss ideas, perhaps putting together a storyboard of the shoot itself. Meeting up with sylists, model agencies, set designers, then doing the castings. That’s before you even pick up a camera. I’d say the planning is as important as taking the pictures and you cannot do one without the other.

You need to be  very organised and have good people management skills to bring everything together.

With portraits,  it’s you and one other. You need to be a people person to be able to put that person at ease, and creative enough to come up with something different that the person likes. Portraiture is quite a challenge and what I really enjoy is coming out with a good result from people who say: “I don’t really look good in photos.”

With interiors its just me and my camera and sometimes a lot of lighting equipment. The skill with interior photography is getting the lighting right as you are working with natural light coming through windows as well as the lighting you set up.
What inspires you?

I try not to get inspiration from other photographers as I could end up copying their style. Therefore, I look more to art, particularly painting and films where lighting is key.

Where would we have seen your work?

Fashion magazines including The Face, arena, RWD, Pride, Irish Tatler. I’ve shot advertising campaigns for Vogue, Boho Fashion, Twice as Nice, and Asiana, to name a few.

I would like to exhibit at some time bringing some of the best elements to my work together. It’s just getting the time.

Whats your view on the digital versus film debate? As people like, ahem, me who take twenty digital pictures in the hope of one being good.

I use both mediums. I am lucky in the fact that I was trained in film and darkrooms. Here the overriding aim was to get the picture right the first time – as film is expensive. It was amazing whilst I was learning the trade working with skilled photographers and looking at the negatives on the lightbox and having the difficulty of not which pictures to choose but which ones to discard.

The main advantage of digital photography is time. If I know I have to do a relatively quick shoot I’ll use digital. The pictures can be seen on your PC/Mac instantaneously and emailed there and then. If I am given more time I’ll probably use film.

In terms of results there is negligible difference between the two mediums. Even when I work digitally, I aim for as little post-production work as possible so the pictures look as natural as possible.

What’s your view of the Crystal Palace area.

It’s great. When I have models and stylists coming to my home studio, I always try and take them out in the Triangle for a bite to eat or a coffee. These people who work and live in central London are amazed by the shops, cafes and the whole vibe of the place.

Don’t forget to let us know when you do your exhibition.

Definitely. I’ll keep you posted

For more information on Steve Brown check out his website:  www.stevenbrown.eu or call 07961587010.  You don’t have to be famous to have your picture taken by Steven .

stevenharri@gmail.com

(First Published in the Palace Mag Oct 2007)