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 RICHARD
FREEMAN
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Richard
is a talented
self-taught fashion photographer, who made his passion
for photography a reality. He began
assisting other established fashion photographers for
five years. Building up his contacts,
he launched out on his own. Shortly
after, Richard made his mark in the fashion industry as
a fashion photographer with his first cover (Vogue
Australia).
Exclusively Fashion Magazine:
Can you tell me how your career started as a fashion
photographer?
Richard Freeman:
I have always been fascinated by photography, self-taught I practiced making pictures shooting landscapes
throughout New Zealand on numerous surfing sojourns.
After traveling for a few years then relocating to
Sydney, Australia, I eventually went down the
assisting path for five years before establishing enough
clients to go out on my own.
EFM: What is your view on fashion and
photography?
RF:
I believe, we, as fashion
photographers, are incredibly fortunate to be able
to document the work of designers, hair and makeup
artists. We are so fortunate to avoid routine
and have an element of creativity (on the good days)
to our job.
It is inspiring to see the
constant evolvement of photography as a by product
of fashion work, especially through the use of
technology.
EFM: Do you
prefer shooting on location or in the studio?
RF:
I prefer location for the space
and the air, yet I prefer the studio for the control it
allows, so really they are both the same for me.
EFM: How often do you travel in a
month?
RF:
Really varies, some months a lot
others less, but you always have to be ready to hit the
road at a moments notice.
EFM: Can you describe your style
as a fashion photographer?
RF:
I really wish I could, it is a
hard thing to look at ones style objectively, what I set
out to achieve in pictures is always changing and
growing. I like to keep evolving and taking on new
influences.
EFM:
Have you ever assisted any established photographers;
if so, who were they?
RF:
Several Australian photographers
and have been fortunate enough to have assisted some
photographers who have travelled to Sydney for jobs,
Horst Deikgerdes was a particular favorite. The
late Sir Patrick Lichfield was also wonderful to work
for.
EFM:
Do you ever find yourself trying to evolve or
reinvent yourself as a photographer?
RF:
Yes, always evolving and hopefully
improving, I am constantly looking at light, trying to
understand how it behaves. The cliché and beauty
of our job is you never stop learning.
The fashion industry by its nature is always reinventing
and evolving, it's important to be in touch with these
changes and stay on top of trends (in photography too)
whether or not you choose to embrace them, is up to you.
EFM: What advice can you give to
aspiring fashion photographers?
RF:
Assist many different
photographers, the methods for success are wide and
varied. Know all the parameters of the available
technology, it will improve your work flow and images.
Interview by Rochell “E” James
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