What do you make?
I am a street photographer who looks for the abstract in the everyday scenes I see around me. I work mainly in London but I also venture to Europe and the Essex coast on occasions to add a different perspective to my work and offer to my range. I work both in colour and black and white to produce a selection of framed prints alongside photo books and greeting cards.
How long have you been running your creative business?
Two years.
I am a street photographer who looks for the abstract in the everyday scenes I see around me. I work mainly in London but I also venture to Europe and the Essex coast on occasions to add a different perspective to my work and offer to my range. I work both in colour and black and white to produce a selection of framed prints alongside photo books and greeting cards.
How long have you been running your creative business?
Two years.
What inspired you to start your creative business?
The last company I worked for went into administration just before lockdown in 2020 and I was made redundant as a result. As we emerged from lockdown in 2021, I needed to make a career decision and as photography was a lifelong hobby of mine, I decided to see if I could try making a living from it.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I do not work full-time on my creative business as I currently work part-time helping people with alcohol and drug dependency issues seek recovery. This is often very challenging but can also be very rewarding.
The last company I worked for went into administration just before lockdown in 2020 and I was made redundant as a result. As we emerged from lockdown in 2021, I needed to make a career decision and as photography was a lifelong hobby of mine, I decided to see if I could try making a living from it.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I do not work full-time on my creative business as I currently work part-time helping people with alcohol and drug dependency issues seek recovery. This is often very challenging but can also be very rewarding.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
My interest in photography stated way before the digital age was upon us. I started out with a cheap Russian 35mm camera and bought black and white film in bulk which I loaded into film cartridges, before venturing out to capture whatever fired my imagination around me. Back in those days I had my own dark room so processed my own film and prints. I worked with a few local bands and music venues as a photographer on an ad hoc basis. Fast forward to today, I taught myself the digital skills I need to find my way around a camera and use programmes such as Lightroom and Photoshop for post-production. I have attended many workshops in order to further my street photography skills with Streetsnappers, in Central London.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The thing I love the most about photography is when I am in that frame of mind and space as I call it. I am totally absorbed in my creative process to the extent that all other thoughts are shut out. I use reflections a lot in my work and on occasion I can take 30 minutes or more getting the shot right, but when I do, that moment is very satisfying. When that moment results in a sale that then becomes a very special moment.
My interest in photography stated way before the digital age was upon us. I started out with a cheap Russian 35mm camera and bought black and white film in bulk which I loaded into film cartridges, before venturing out to capture whatever fired my imagination around me. Back in those days I had my own dark room so processed my own film and prints. I worked with a few local bands and music venues as a photographer on an ad hoc basis. Fast forward to today, I taught myself the digital skills I need to find my way around a camera and use programmes such as Lightroom and Photoshop for post-production. I have attended many workshops in order to further my street photography skills with Streetsnappers, in Central London.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The thing I love the most about photography is when I am in that frame of mind and space as I call it. I am totally absorbed in my creative process to the extent that all other thoughts are shut out. I use reflections a lot in my work and on occasion I can take 30 minutes or more getting the shot right, but when I do, that moment is very satisfying. When that moment results in a sale that then becomes a very special moment.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
I enjoyed pottery at school and wasn't as bad at that as I was painting, for example. So ceramics would be the other craft I might be drawn to other than my own.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
Street photography ambassadors such as Saul Leiter, Alex Webb, Vivian Maier and Harry Gruyaert are a great inspiration, as is the artist Edward Hopper. They all have a unique skill in capturing street life and its landscape. I have a large collection of photography books which I take inspiration from. I think my style is a reflected in these books, sometimes deliberately and sometimes subliminally. I also get to as many exhibitions as I can, although finding free time is difficult. Instagram can be a useful tool for inspiration, but in the main, is a reminder of what not to do. So many traps and rabbit holes to get sucked into where cliché and repetition live.
I enjoyed pottery at school and wasn't as bad at that as I was painting, for example. So ceramics would be the other craft I might be drawn to other than my own.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
Street photography ambassadors such as Saul Leiter, Alex Webb, Vivian Maier and Harry Gruyaert are a great inspiration, as is the artist Edward Hopper. They all have a unique skill in capturing street life and its landscape. I have a large collection of photography books which I take inspiration from. I think my style is a reflected in these books, sometimes deliberately and sometimes subliminally. I also get to as many exhibitions as I can, although finding free time is difficult. Instagram can be a useful tool for inspiration, but in the main, is a reminder of what not to do. So many traps and rabbit holes to get sucked into where cliché and repetition live.
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
Being part of a creative collective is great. Sometimes being a creative can be isolating and to be able to talk with, and be surrounded by, similar minded people can lift that isolation. It is also a friendly and supportive environment to be in.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Have the courage to believe in yourself and power on through those moments when giving up sounds like a good option.
Being part of a creative collective is great. Sometimes being a creative can be isolating and to be able to talk with, and be surrounded by, similar minded people can lift that isolation. It is also a friendly and supportive environment to be in.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Have the courage to believe in yourself and power on through those moments when giving up sounds like a good option.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
Transporting me and my art around. Otherwise, closing the sale as that's the time when as an artist I need to remember, ultimately, I am here to make money.
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time?
Birdwatching, country walks, supporting my local Park Theatre, and seeing live music.
Follow Barry on Instagram and Facebook
www.bgbphotography.store
Transporting me and my art around. Otherwise, closing the sale as that's the time when as an artist I need to remember, ultimately, I am here to make money.
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time?
Birdwatching, country walks, supporting my local Park Theatre, and seeing live music.
Follow Barry on Instagram and Facebook
www.bgbphotography.store
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