SPOTLIGHT: Tom Langford - Photographer

1. How long have you been a photographer?

Well I have been taking photos since I was teenager, but no more than snapshots until I began my AS Photography back in 2004. However I would only really say I'd been a 'proper' photographer since 2008 when I began taking on small commissions and photo jobs alongside my University projects, so about 4-5 years.

2. What inspired you to get into photography?

Well as a child I was always interested in art and was an avid sketcher (and still am to an extent!), copying pictures from magazines or drawing from my own imagination. As I grew up my imagination and ideas for drawings expanded and almost outgrew my drawing capabilities, so I found myself looking for a new medium to satisfy my creativity. Around the same time it was suggested by my GSCE Art teacher that I take some photos of people and their emotions as source for my drawing. After this I became more fascinated with capturing something real with film, rather than replicating it in a drawing. But although what I was capturing was real, I could manipulate it with the light or giving my subject instruction. 

3. Do you have a particular favourite style of shooting?

As I nearly always photograph people, whether it be a gig, a portrait or a wedding I always try to chat to the person first so I can get a feel for their personality and make them feel more comfortable around me, as if their is an awkwardness its really reflected in the images. However in terms of style I always tend to shoot and retouch my pictures in a certain way so that people can tell the image is by me without reading the credit underneath. I think if you can acheive this, there is no greater compliment to your style than this. As somebody who really favours prime lenses for portraits, I always tend to shoot them wide open with shallow DoF to really highlight the subject and make interesting compositions. In terms of retouch; I try to do minimal technical editing, with a focus of getting it right in camera but mainly adjust the colours and tones in Photoshop to put my own twist on it. Nearly all of my images have colour tweaks in them from how they are shot to create a mood with the image, which in its self makes it more of a 'portrait' than just a document of a person in a certain place.

4. What would you say makes your photography unique?

I think the things we have spoken about in the above question cover this really, its about my approach to the image and the relationship I develop with my subject really. In terms of styling or production the images I make are quite simple in that respect, but its HOW I photograph that person and how they react to me that really makes it. I want people to feel like they know something more about the subject by looking at my photographs. This is especially the case with my Scooter Rally series, as it calls on so many senses, the smell of the petrol, the noise of the engines; I want people to be able to envision this by looking at my images.

5. Where do your main inspirations and ideas come from? 

In terms of inspiration I am quite selfish and I know what I like to shoot, and this provides the main basis of my photography. I am a crazy art/fashion magazine collector and have every issue of Dazed & Confused from mid 2008 to present, as well as countless copies of i:D and 125. These stimulate me and push me to experiment with new ideas or retouch techniques. I am a firm believer of working instinctively and seeing something I like and tirelessly trying to use it in my work, or work out the method behind it. 

As a huge follower of Mod & Skinhead movements and the young people like myself who are part of them, they form a large section of my portraits. I like to find people who are interested in something so much that it is outwardly reflected in their style and fashion but also inwardly as if it is more than just a phase for them and they 'feel it' inside. Its capturing this, that inspires me most. 

6. Have you got a favourite image? Talk us through it if you do.

I wouldn't say that I have one single image that is my overall favourite, because I think that some images work off of others and give each other strength in a series. However as I have got older I am more fussy about the images that make the cut to my portfolio so the images that are on my site are a collection of my best work, from the many frames that come out of each shoot. 

7. Have you got any exciting projects on the horizon?

Hmm, I have a couple of Model test shoots booked in for a few weeks time where I will be working with some new people which is always exciting to collaborate with different people. Away from my portrait/fashion work I have also been commissioned to photograph at a new Big Ska festival working with some legendary names in that genre, which is a big deal for me. This event is also supported by Teenage Cancer Trust which I am very happy to support.
As the festival season draws to a close, the gig scene around Portsmouth always hots up and has some great gigs booked in, which I will endeavor to get to and photograph as many as possible.

8. What are your goals for the future?
As every month and year goes by that I am in Photography I seem to learn more, and do more and fall in love with it all more!! At the moment, all of my work is primarily based around the South, although I have worked in London a little this year. For the future I'd love to get the opportunity to work in London more. Get taken on to a music magazine(s) or blog and do more musician portraits and editorial work as well as getting Live Photos published.
In its simplest form, I would just like to expand my reputation and branch out to new publications and clients and produce new and exciting work for them! (Shameless plug if anyone wants to book me!) If I can continue making a living and being as happy as I am now taking photos then I'm doing alright!!

9. How can we look at your work and contact you?

All my work and contact details can be found on my website: www.tomlangfordphoto.co.uk
Or if you are looking for Wedding work : www.weddingsbytom.co.uk
Lastly I do upload previews of new work and behind the scenes stuff on my facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Langford-Photography/321735111204976?ref=hl

Photoshoot - Amy Sapphire Photography

You may have seen the incredibly attractive photo I now have on my sidebar. Recently I asked Amy if she'd be able to help me out with some new promotional shots for my radio show, thankfully she agreed and we managed to end up with some brilliant (and some hilarious) pictures!

I'm not an overly serious person so I didn't want the shoot to be really intense with me barely smiling in any of the images. Luckily  with Amy being such a good friend of mine, it was a really comfortable shoot which included lots of laughter and music to dance around to. I'm not very good with putting myself into 'poses' and have always felt a little silly, but Amy worked really well with my personality and came up with several suggestions for us to try!

I liked the idea of having pictures of me doing various poses next to each other and after seeing this picture of Cara Delevingne, I thought it'd be a great way to show my personality through photograph form. As these were for my radio show, I wanted them to represent it well, it's quite a light hearted show, again, which I'm not too serious on, so wanted to try and put that across with the images.

I have to say I'm incredibly happy with the final pictures and I'd definitely recommend Amy to anyone looking for similar shoots as she's friendly and very comfortable to work with!

If you want to see more of her work then click the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/AmySapphirePhotography, http://www.amysapphire.com/

Obviously, because it's nearly Christmas as well, we also had a little fun with some tinsel!

SPOTLIGHT: Amy Sapphire Photography

1. Where did your love of photography come from?

I’ve always loved taking photos and I especially love the impact and emotions it can provoke in people and the story a photo can 

tell. As part of my degree at university, there was the opportunity to study photography and 

from the first lecture I was hooked. I realised then, that photography is what 

I want to make a career out of. I managed to get my hands on a DSLR and my passion for 

photography quickly grew, it's amazing to find a creative art form that I love!

2. Do you have any favourite styles you like to shoot?

I like natural, realistic photos, especially in portraits. I find that you get to see the real person more when they aren’t staged and set-up 

for the camera and the final photo is more true to the person in it. 

Another style I really enjoy is costume portraits. I find people can 

be quite ‘stiff’ in-front of a camera as themselves, especially if 

they are shy, but put them in a cape or some wings and they don’t hold 

back and you get to see a side of their personality which can be 

hidden in day-to-day life. I also love vibrancy in the colours in 

nature, such as really blue skys and bright green grass; I find them 

fresh and uplifting.

3. For someone thats never heard of you, how would you describe Amy Sapphire Photography?

I would say it is fun, relaxed and new. I like to think that I work in a calming but fun way which allows people to relax and be themselves. 

It’s rare that I ask some-one to sit and pose for the camera, I only 

do this if they are a really confident person or it’s the look we are 

aiming for. I like to think I allow people to be who they are or who 

they want to be, whether this requires a costume or not.

4. What or who inspires you?

It sounds really cheesy but I do take inspiration from everything around me in my day-to-day life, the people I know and meet and the 

places I visit, all spark something in me which gives me ideas. I find 

that people inspire me the most though, these can either be new people 

I meet or the people closest to me in life. I find the differences in 

people’s lives and personalities fascinating, I love to see little 

things in people’s characters and emphasise these traits to create a 

portrait which really represents the person as a whole.

5. Have you got a favourite image? and why is it your favourite?

I have a quite a few favourites, its hard to pick one photo. I suppose one of my favourites and most memorable is one from a shoot which I 

did recently. The person in the portrait works with the emergency 

services and to others can be seen as a hero, so it seemed fitting to 

put him in a cape. The cape allowed him to release his inner child and 

he instantly started running about, acting out fight scenes and hiding 

behind rocks. I love this photo in particular because it represents 

this mischievous, child-like behavior in his position and facial 

expression. The colours and tones in the photo contrast nicely with 

the harsh, black cape adding depth to the image. He is nicely framed 

and the shadows add dramatic effect. Overall I just think it’s a fun 

photo which demonstrates the fun we had on the shoot.

6. Can you give us an insight into what to expect from your business over the coming months?

I aim to expand and develop my skills to cover other aspects of photography and experience all that it has to offer, however my main 

passion and interest is still to be portraits, hopefully many more 

costume and character portraits as these are the ones which excite me 

the most. I aim to experiment with many more different effects to 

achieve all the feeling and emotions which can best display a person’s 

character.

7. Finally, if anyone wishes to contact you or view your work when can they reach you?

There is a selection of my work and some info at www.amysapphire.com or you can take a look at a few more of my photos on my flickr page at 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amy_webber/ If you have any queries or 

comments then I would be happy to hear from you, you can email me at 

amysapphirephotography@gmail.com

Click Click!

Hello everyone! Thought i'd show you these few photos that were taken on a photoshoot with my photographer friend Tom Langford we wanted to go with a sort of Native American style shoot, which isn't at all easy in Portsmouth! However i am super happy with how they have turned out, i particularly like the first picture :) I am also wearing a feather hairclip by BySamiiRyan who makes some amaaaazing accessories and tshirts! I definitely recommend checking her site out :)

Tamsyn x