Claire Richardson Interview

In 2000, Claire Richardson took a trip to New Zealand. Little did she know that the holiday snaps she took would be the inspiration for a new career direction.

Turn the clock forward 7 years and Claire's photography is in hot demand from both corporate and private clients. She photographs interiors, lifestyle and portraits and has most recently completed an inspirational book project in France for Ryland, Peters and Small....

The Interview.

Damien Senn: Hi Claire, thank you for offering to share you insights into the fascinating world of photography...

Now you worked as an interiors stylist for a number of years before finally moving behind the camera. What was it that inspired you to make the move?

Claire Richardson:

Inspiration to step behind the camera came at the suggestion of a lovely friend who is also a photographer. He made the comment after seeing some of my photographs taken on a trip to New Zealand in 2000. His encouragment prompted me to seriously consider photography as a career.

Damien Senn: Did you find the transition quite a smooth one or were there challenges that you needed to overcome?

Claire Richardson:

It was much smoother than I anticipated. I spent a year and a half testing on my first medium format camera, and experimented with different film types and techniques. I then used a selection of the images I'd worked on to produce my first portfolio and started to visit prospective clients. The feedback and encouragement that I received was really encouraging over the initial six months, and my commissions increased sufficiently for me to earn a living. I was then able to stop my styling work.

Damien Senn: Now I have to say that you made me feel incredibly comfortable in front of the camera. Tell me a little more about your approach to make people feel at ease when they are getting their portraits taken?

Claire Richardson:

Being interested in the person you're shooting is paramount. I really enjoy meeting new people, and hearing about their lives, so chatting to clients is my first point of contact. It generally follows that the more people talk, the more they relax, and physically open up to the camera. My favourite shots are usually the ones taken at the end of the shoot, when a client is happy and confident....they then forget the camera is even there.

Damien Senn: What is your most memorable portrait taking experience?

Claire Richardson:

That's a hard one, so I'll have to pick two! My first would be taking a portrait of the pianist Big John Carter. I first heard John play boogie-woogie and blues on London's Brick Lane when I was in my early twenties, and have been inspired by his music ever since. His passion and enthusiasm clearly shine through when you hear him play.

My second favourite would have to be the hour I spent last year taking photos of my wonderful grandmother, Win Richardson, now in her 90's. She's an amazing lady, has a real zest for life and great sense of humour.






Damien Senn: You have taken photographs for a number of books. Could you provide some insights into what it takes to get a collection of photographs to work together?

Claire Richardson:

By far the most important thing about shooting books is the 'vision' that the author or stylist has to have when organising a variety of locations and shots. A clear vision and good organisational skills are top of the list. If you get that right, then it makes my job easy!!

Damien Senn: Now you've just made the transition from film to digital photography. How have you found the whole process?

Claire Richardson:

It's early days for me to make a balanced judgement on shooting digitally, but so far I love it! The fear of change was greater than the reality, and now I've made the leap, I'm equally happy shooting both. Currently some clients only want digital, and others only want film.....so flexibility is the key!

Damien Senn: If you could choose your favourite photo out of all the many thousands that you've taken which one would it be and why?

Claire Richardson:

Once again it's hard to pin down to just one photograph. One of my favourite personal projects is shooting derelict spaces, picking up on the traces that people leave behind.

Below are a few of my favourites from that body of work.





Damien Senn: Do you think good photographers are born or made?

Claire Richardson:

I'd probably say that the greatest photographers are born creative, and their vision or 'eye' is what ultimately defines their work. You can learn everything there is to know about the science of photography, but without a good sense of composition and light, it would amount to nothing.

Damien Senn: What tips would you give to people out there aspiring to become professional photographers?

Claire Richardson:

Go for it!! It's a fantastic career and can be extremely rewarding both creatively and financially. It also opens doors into so many different areas......the possibilities are boundless!

Damien Senn: Do you think anyone can live an inspired life?

Claire Richardson:

Yes I do. If people listen to their dreams, and not to their critics (both internally and externally), then I do believe that anything and everything is possible.