London Portraits in Clerkenwell
From Scratch are an industrious, creative bunch who are forging their own paths in PR, event management, journalism, film and even brewing beer of a different kind.
I was asked by Oscar and Caspar, the co-founders, to come along to one of their networking events and capture their members, all of whom need decent pictures of themselves as freelancers.
I love working with creatives. My approach is to always get the “safe” shot first and when those are in the bag it’s time to play. I prefer to work on location as ideas appear against an inspiring backdrop. A portrait against a textured scene with a bit of interest adds context and gives so much information to the picture and indirectly, about you.
Additionally, you’ll feel much more comfortable in a natural setting where there are thing to prop up against.
Clerkenwell is one of my favourite areas to head to in London. It’s full of creative businesses in design, architecture and interiors and hosts Clerkenwell Design Week every year. It’s also one of the oldest parts of London. London’s first piped water supply was brought into the area in the 17th century which led to the development of brewing and distilling industries. A perfect location for Louis, founder of High and Dry Beer, which must be the world’s first functional beer (a guilt-free post-workout beer!).
We did all the pictures around Clerkenwell Green. The “Clerks Well” is a sacred well, adorned by clerics or “clerken” as they were called. Nearby the Green lived Lenin, where he’d often imbibe at what is now the Crown Tavern. Rumour has it that he and Stalin met here – you can imagine what they talked about! And as the saying goes, the rest in history.
If you’d like to walk through this wonderful part of London and at the same time refresh your head shot for your business, just get in touch. Trust me, weaving through some atmospheric streets brings a different dimension to your pictures. If you feel good and feel inspired it’ll show on your face, in your body language. And that is something that no amount of computer power can ever replicate.
I’m a North London photographer who creates portraits in Clerkenwell and all over London.
I’ve worked with hundreds of people over the years and enjoy bringing out the best in people for their businesses.
