Meet the members: Introducing Xavier, Photographer in branding and portraits.
We welcome Xavier, a new member to the WRAP co-working community. Xavier is a stand out photographer, specialising in branding and portraits. With over 10 years experience he has mastered the art of capturing the person in front of the lens and has some tips and tricks to share.
How did you get into photography?
I have always had an interest in taking photographs, but it was never something I thought I would end up doing as a career, I fell into it completely by accident. I was approached at a festival I was at with my first DSLR and asked if they could use some images, it sort of snowballed from there, and I have never looked back.
What are you currently working on?
I am working with a couple of different client's at the moment, one is a really interesting campaign for a boutique social media management company. I am also working on a couple of personal projects, one is a combination of the city spirit collection that I have been building for a few years now as well as launching a review section for live music and shows, as my roots lay in music photography.
Do you have any favourite or famous pieces of work?
Although I have had a few pieces published and exhibited around the world and locally, my most recognisable work would be the campaign for the i360, where my images were on the buses and posters around the city.
I have been fortunate to have worked with a number of people, including Bam Mageara, Ross Kemp (pulling a pint!) and Eddie Izzard.
As a photographer I have been inspired by a variety of artists, including Pennie Smith who shot the cover of London Calling by the clash. Music is one of the toughest disciplines in photography with no control you have to be in the moment, and I think my shot of the guitarist from Ghost, the band, is one of my favourites. It has an air of calm through the chaos of a heavy metal gig. The first image from the city spirit collection was a turning point in my career and changed how I approached my work and how others regarded me in the industry.
What’s your top advice for someone who is camera shy?
Take your time, and reach out to different photographers until you find the one that makes you feel at ease. It is a very personal thing to do and being in front of the camera can be very daunting, but to show yourself at your best, you have to be comfortable with the person behind the lens. Being camera shy myself, I completely understand how difficult it can be on the other side, I will always do my best to make my clients as relaxed as possible, it's important for the photographer to ask a lot of questions to help to get to know you.
Top tips for amateur photographers wanting to up their game?
Practice, practice, practice. Getting to know your camera is just half the battle though, it doesn't matter if you are the best photographer in the world, if no one knows you are there then you won't move up. Building a good portfolio and developing your own style goes hand in hand with being consistent and making yourself be seen. Look out for talks and events in the industry, you can learn a lot from other peoples experiences. It's fascinating hearing about other people's journey.
Top photography app
On the go, there is nothing quite like lightroom mobile, you can normally sync your camera with your phone now, so importing images to post on the go, is made easier with this powerful editing tool, which will snc back to you computer so you can do more detailed editing later on. It also has a pretty good camera feature too.
Get in touch
https://xcphotography.co.uk/wrapmemberpage, book an inquiry call today and start your journey to stand out for being outstanding!
As a member of WRAP, you get exclusive access to the resident photographer, Xavier Clarke, you also get enrolled in the exclusive referral program too, giving you the chance to earn up to £200 on your recommendations.