Assignment • Interview Report

As part of this module, I decided to interview a freelance photographer within the fashion and music field. I got in contact with Samuel of Fentonography.co.uk (shortly to be rebranded as Stone Grade Productions), who runs his own music video and photography company, as well as working within the fashion promotion industry, making look books and cataloguing outfits and items for companies. Samuel is a friend of mine, and we have worked together professionally on a number of shoots, but I had never asked him about his career in detail and where he wants to go next within his career.

I asked Samuel a number of questions about being a freelance videographer in the modern world, as well as interests that I had about a career in photography and cinematography, as well as questions I have always wanted to ask. The first of which was whom he admired within his industry of film production and cinematography. He commented on his admiration for Philip Bloom, based upon his wit, charm and persona, on top of his outstanding talent he had nurtured and worked on for his whole career. A quote I remembered from that conversation was “to be good at what you do seems to no longer be enough in the video production industry, because there’s always someone who’ll do it cheaper, so I always find that if I have the bottle to come across the right way, and make a client laugh, they’ll enjoy the working relationship”. This is something I have always believed in, but hearing it from another photographer clarified this point to me. I have always maintained a working relationship with clients, having a laugh whilst on the job but remaining professional at the same time. It always results in repeat custom if needed and keep the freelance sector employed. His passion for Philip Bloom’s work also reminded me to keep updated with my favourite photographers work, such as photographers who work for Vogue and Elle magazine, as well as educate myself further with photographers throughout history and their work. It can only enhance my knowledge of the field of photography, as well as help with my University studies.

The next question I asked was why Samuel chose to become freelance, as opposed to being employed to a company. When I first began studying photography, I was adamant that I wanted to work for a company and be employed and salaried as a photographer. After speaking to Samuel, however, my opinion has been changed. He commented, saying, “working for myself has always had a lot of plus points. I choose what work I can take on, I choose when I work, and moreover I have control over when I don’t work…”. Working for fashion companies taking photographs for advertisements and promotion has always been a dream of mine, and talking in detail with Samuel about the workings of the fashion industry has made me realise that I can probably only achieve this by becoming freelance and approaching companies with a portfolio. However, he also mentioned that being freelance can have its negative points. He told me of a project where he worked with a band who were paying him to produce a music video for their first solo song. They wanted the video edited a certain way, but Samuel knew that this would make the video look unprofessional, however, because they were a paying client, Samuel had to do as they requested and was not 100% happy with the finished outcome from a creative standpoint. I can be very protective of my creative ideas, and always want the photographs that I produce edited my way. I understand now that this will not always be possible when I become freelance and start getting paid for professional photo shoots. I will need to bite my tongue and listen to the client, or else I will fail as a freelance photographer. I have worked with clients before, who have been difficult either during the actual shoot or the editing time, or even with payment. I understand now that I need to grow my confidence, and suggest ideas where the work will still look professional, but maintaining their ideas and request within the work.

Interviewing Samuel also made me realize and rekindle my passion for creative filmmaking as a hobby, and editing using the Adobe Master Collection. Before I began my University career, I used to make short films and plan storyboards in my free time. However, since beginning my degree and maintaining a freelance photography venture and a part time job, I have not had the time to make films and plan them. Over the summer, although I have a summer placement in America, I plan to make a short film documenting my trip in America and the experience I have. Not for a professional use, but for my own personal memories and experience of editing again.

Interviewing Samuel was very rewarding, not just in understanding more about the professional industry and working freelance, but also in learning more about his career and what work he has completed in the past few months. I would love to interview more photographers and professionals, just to gain more of an insight into the art world, and because I love listening to peoples experiences! I also learnt a lot about the freelance industry, and the experiences Samuel has gained by being a freelance videographer and photographer. I now feel slightly more prepared for becoming freelance and seeing where the opportunity leads me after I finish my degree at Salford.