By David Prior
If you have a degree in what field is it? I have a diploma in photography.
What was your strangest assignment? I’ve had so many bizarre shoots—from kneeling elephants and a bulldog’s bollocks to an albino marked for slaughter (for the UN) and women's wigs—that I’d find it hard to nail-down just one.
Which photographer would you like to meet? I’d like to have met Henri Cartier Bresson and Helmut Newton.
What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? There are so many... I’d have to say Jack Nicolson. But Keith Richards and Iggy Pop aren’t far behind.
Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? My blower brush.
Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? No. Retouching, if done well, is a great tool.
From where do your best ideas originate? Somewhere between 3:00am and 4:00am.
How do you overcome a creative block? I stop trying to think of something creative. I’ve had flashes of genius while frying eggs.
Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? I enjoy sculpture and drawing but I need lessons.
What music are you listening to right now? I’m old school; Tom Waits.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Up until having kids there was no balance. I worked and played too hard. But I have good perspective now and take time for life.
What’s your favorite quote? “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” —Henri Cartier Bresson
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Persevere. And never stop learning.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? I wish I’d had more direction and not wasted so much time.
What was your strangest assignment? I’ve had so many bizarre shoots—from kneeling elephants and a bulldog’s bollocks to an albino marked for slaughter (for the UN) and women's wigs—that I’d find it hard to nail-down just one.
Which photographer would you like to meet? I’d like to have met Henri Cartier Bresson and Helmut Newton.
What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? There are so many... I’d have to say Jack Nicolson. But Keith Richards and Iggy Pop aren’t far behind.
Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? My blower brush.
Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? No. Retouching, if done well, is a great tool.
From where do your best ideas originate? Somewhere between 3:00am and 4:00am.
How do you overcome a creative block? I stop trying to think of something creative. I’ve had flashes of genius while frying eggs.
Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? I enjoy sculpture and drawing but I need lessons.
What music are you listening to right now? I’m old school; Tom Waits.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Up until having kids there was no balance. I worked and played too hard. But I have good perspective now and take time for life.
What’s your favorite quote? “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” —Henri Cartier Bresson
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Persevere. And never stop learning.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? I wish I’d had more direction and not wasted so much time.
