JEREMY LAVENDER , PHOTOGRAPHER Scotland
Where is home ? As a Belgian living in the UK , after living in America for 5 years , Belize for a year and half , and the Bahamas for 3 years , for now I ’ d have to say home is Scotland .
How long have you been a photographer ? This is the painful part remembering how old I am now ! Just kidding . I had my first camera at around 11 years old , but my first real one at 15 . Back then , it was film cameras and a totally different experience . So , all together , let ’ s say I started photography 40 years ago .
What or who got you started ? A close family member who was passionate about photography , and also had his own darkroom . He never had to ask me twice to have me shadow him and ask questions .
Did you study photography at school ? Not at first . I started photography at a young age , but by the time it became more than a hobby , I was almost at the end of my studies . Back then , I was just ready to finish school and begin a career , so wasn ’ t too interested in starting another study cycle for photography . But after , for several years , all my pocket money went into buying photography books and gear . I can now say that I ’ m a proud selftaught photographer . However , photography was a perpetual learning curve . During the last 15 years , I have been mostly a full-time freelance photographer . I have followed several online courses to refresh some basic notions , but also to learn more in details some specific photographic techniques I wanted to develop more .
What sort of work do you specialize in ? Most of my work is related to Portrait / Modelling / Fashion and to Landscape photography . I ’ m also starting Landscape Portraiture , which is a great combination of both . It can be tricky to give the main focus to the model when surrounded by breath-taking sceneries . It ’ s not always easy , but I do like the challenge , and I ’ m always very pleased with the results . Some of the photographs with Jorgia at the waterfalls are perfectly fitting this style of Landscape Portraiture category . Finally , when having some free time , I really do enjoy Street Photography in a more documentary way of recording slices of time .
How would you describe your style ? Ha ! That ’ s a very good question . I ’ m not sure I can define myself into one specific style . Of course , I have my own way to see and
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50 | Child Photo Magazine