photographer — Blog — Amelia Gale-Hasleham Photography

Recently, I asked you guys if you could ask me some questions for a Q&A blog post. I thought it would be a good way to answer some questions about myself, my work process and just general life and photography related questions! This is my first ever Q&A, so, here goes…

Q: Where did your love for photography come from?

A: I started experimenting with the medium of photography when I was fifteen. I found a photography group on an old social media platform called Bebo (wow I feel old), where creative teenagers shared their work - I was blown away that people my age at the time could create something so beautiful with a camera! I was instantly hooked, I started off with experimenting with landscapes, still life and self portraiture, then ventured off into dressing my friends up and taking their photos with a digital point and shoot, and an old DSLR film camera! This started my interest in fashion photography, and when I discovered fashion photographers like Tim Walker and Arthur Elgort (who are still a source of inspiration for me today); it made my interest in fashion photography grow.

I also have a very early memory when I was about five years old, I had my dads old film camera and was taking photographs in the garden. I took a photograph of a dirt pile with bulbs coming through, and I vividly remember pressing the shutter button, and thinking “I love this!” and running off to take more photos. I wish I could find that photograph, from memory it was very out of focus and a little over exposed but I was very proud of that picture at the time!

Q: What/who inspires you and motivates you to create?

A: Literature! I have loved reading and telling stories for as long as I can remember. I have my mum to thank for my love of Tolkien. I’m also inspired by nature, the sixties and seventies, paintings from the Pre-Raphaelite movement, musical icons like David Bowie, astronomy, the lifestyle of surfers - quite a random eclectic mixture, but I think having a wide variety of interests keeps me inspired.

What motivates me, is without creativity I feel so fed up and bored. If I haven’t worked on anything creative in a long time, I begin to feel frustrated. I like to try my best to keep a flow of creativity, whether that’s through photography, painting, writing ideas down for future photo shoots, making something I’ve never made, or trying out a new hobby.

Q: Where is home for you, and where do you work?

A: Home for me is North Wales, I grew up about an hour away from Snowdonia, I feel so lucky to have grown up in such beautiful part of the U.K.

I work throughout the U.K. - I’m looking to book more jobs in London and Manchester, and I would love to start some projects abroad! Speaking of, I have recently booked a solo trip to Portugal so I may try to photograph surfers and architecture whilst I’m there. I love travelling, so combining my love for travel and photography would be a dream!

Q: Did you go to University to study Photography, if so was it worth it?

A: I sure did! I studied Photography for Fashion and Advertising in the University of South Wales, Newport (Previously known as University of Wales, Newport before the merger). Whilst some people believe you don’t necessarily need to go to University to learn about Photography, I equally agree and disagree. There are very talented and successful photographers who didn’t study the subject and learnt through a mentor, and/or learning on their own merit. However, I would’t be the photographer I was today if I didn't make the move from home. Coming from North Wales, I had no links or contacts, no close options for work experience (believe me I emailed a lot fashion photographers in different cities), and little experience in fashion photography that didn't include dressing my friends up.

University gave me the opportunity to meet like minded photographers, make contacts on other courses, and learn how to use equipment that is used in the industry today. We also got feedback of lecturers who were working in the field and were there to guide, critique and advise. I’m looking to do a blog post on this in more depth so stay tuned!

Q: What do you do if you’re in a creative rut?

A: I look back on my list of ideas I’ve wanted to get done, this will include going over mood boards on Pinterest, looking through a sketch book where I write down ideas, draw up rough sketches for photographs, and make physical mood boards. If I feel like I need to take myself away from work, I make time to take a little break. Whether that’s to read, go for a walk outside, or if I'm really stuck I’ll drive to somewhere I usually find peaceful and calming.

Q: How do you choose the locations for your photo shoots?

A: It really depends on the shoot. Sometimes I’ll base an idea after coming across a location, other times I’ll think of a theme for a photo shoot and draw up ideas of where will look best, then put together a pros and cons list for each location. I feel very lucky to live in North Wales and be so close to many beautiful locations, I’m also conveniently close to Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester, and only a 2 hour train journey from London!

Q: What would be your dream photo shoot?

A: Oh boy, where do I start? I can’t pick one, so I’ll write down my dream fashion editorial, bridal fashion shoot, and documentary styled shoot…

Dream fashion editorial - shooting a beautiful collection reminiscent of Alexander McQueen, Alice Temperly, or Chloe in Lake Tekapo in New Zealand, when all of the Lupins are in bloom. If you haven’t seen this location, I urge you to look it up on Pinterest or Google!

Bridal fashion shoot - shooting a gorgeous and unique bridal collection, like Rue De Seine Bridal or Willow by Watters in Morocco. Either Marrakech or the blue city of Chefchaouen would be so dreamy.

Documentary styled shoot - would have to be documenting the lifestyle of surfers in other countries as well as the U.K. The life of surf has fascinated me since I was a tyke - my dad used to live the surfer lifestyle in Cornwall and he planted the seed of curiosity with surf in my mind from a young age. I recently got him a big photo book called Surf Photography of the 1960’s and 1970’s by LeRoy Grannis, the photographs in there are pure magic. I started a project called Surf Stories (not sure if it will still be called this) when I was living in Surfer’s Paradise, and I have been itching to photograph more surfers ever since! I would love to get portraits before the surfer goes out into the ocean and do a little interview maybe… It’s all in the very early days still, and will post more of my surfer series as I go along.

Q: What are your thoughts on labour and birth photography?

A: I like this question! I think birth and labour photography is equal parts empowering, beautiful and fascinating. There seems to be a stigma on birth and how the “messy” parts are left out. Birth is messy, but it is also a natural part of life. I seriously admire photographers who photograph babies being brought into the world. As women, our bodies can handle so much, we go through menstruation, pregnancy, birth, menopause and other unpredictable things. I think such a natural, raw and emotional thing being documented is a positive. I can imagine a lot of mothers feeling like an empowered goddess after receiving photos of them bringing their child into the world. I think photographs like this are a reminder of what women are capable of, and a true reflection of the process. Birth seems to be sugar coated in the media, in films and on television shows, it’s actually refreshing seeing real and intimate photography of life exiting the womb and entering the world.

Q: Is there something that you would like to photograph but haven’t done as of yet?

A: I would love to photograph a music festival one year, possibly a family run festival with a lot of art installations and quirky costumes. Even though this is a big festival, Boomtown looks incredible and I can imagine would be a lot of fun to photograph!

I would also love to do a fashion shoot featuring cats, I may have to get my kitten, Ziggy used to the camera!

Even though I have photographed surfers from the beach, I would love to have water housing for my camera and photograph surfers whilst being in the sea! I can imagine the buzz would be awesome! Speaking of water housing for cameras, I would also love to photograph a fashion editorial underwater, I can imagine that would be an unforgettable experience.

Q: Do you think you will ever use extreme post processing for your work, e.g. to get photographs of a similar effect to Andy Warhol’s infamous portrait of Marilyn Monroe?

A: When it comes to lighting and post processing, I like to try and keep things as natural as possible. However, if you keep things the same, where do you grow and learn? I do enjoy trying out different lighting techniques and getting experimental with the camera and lenses. I’m always intrigued to learn something new! When it comes to post processing, I would never make someone thinner, or make their nose smaller. I would edit things out that aren’t usually there, e.g. spots and blemishes; however I’d keep things like moles and birth marks, as that is what makes an individual unique. If everybody looked like Barbie dolls, the world would be a very boring place.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I had fun answering these questions and may do another in the future!

Amelia xoxo