Why is LGBTQ+ History Month important to you as an artist?
LGBTQ+ History Month holds great significance for me as an artist. It provides me with an opportunity not only to learn and educate others about individuals who have made significant sacrifices for the betterment of society, but also to express my gratitude through creative expression. I am able to feel free and confident in doing this because of the courageous individuals who have paved the way for me. Sharing their stories, which I deeply love, is an honour.
How do you approach ensuring you do justice to a subject like Lady Phyll?
Lady Phyll is an incredibly inspiring figurehead, not only in the LGBTQ+ community but particularly for Black Queer individuals. She embodies strength, resilience, and pride for many, and that’s precisely what I aimed to capture in her portrait. I wanted her portrait to authentically reflect her essence, devoid of overly elaborate set designs or intricate lighting. Instead, I wanted her eyes to convey her message. Therefore, I invited Phyll to my daylight studio and opted for a simple setup that would complement her features and ensure her comfort. The environment plays a crucial role in capturing a person’s essence in a portrait. Therefore, it’s essential to have a welcoming and professional crew, a warm drink, and good conversations and music that is special to the subject playing in the background.
How important are Photoshop and Lightroom to your process?
Lightroom and Photoshop are my go-to tools for editing. In this shoot, I had my camera connected to Lightroom Classic, which meant Lady Phyll and my team could see exactly what was coming out of the camera and make adjustments on the spot. This made the shooting process much more collaborative. I started with basic editing in Lightroom Classic and then moved on to Photoshop to do the heavy lifting.
Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
My advice to aspiring photographers is to create meaningful content. While it may be tempting to imitate popular images on social media due to their engagement, it will take longer to develop your unique visual style. Instead, take some time to reflect on your past experiences and create content that reflects your own experiences and emotions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my collaboration with Lady Phyll was a truly special project that allowed me to express my gratitude to the LGBTQ+ community and highlight an incredible individual who has made a significant impact on the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Lady Phyll and hope that my photographs will inspire others to learn more about the importance of inclusivity and diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did you choose the color scheme for the portrait?
A: I used Adobe Colour to select a complementary color scheme for the portrait. The website helped me to create a color scheme that matched the dress Lady Phyll wore during the shoot.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
A: I would advise aspiring photographers to create meaningful content that reflects their own experiences and emotions. It’s more important to develop your own unique visual style than to imitate popular images on social media.
Q: How do you approach post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop?
A: I start with basic editing in Lightroom Classic and then move on to Photoshop to make more advanced edits. I use the color picker tool in Photoshop to select the color of the dress and create a color scheme for the portrait.
