Scott Lawler Australian Wedding Fashion Photographer Interview
Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: I love to talk about photography, best not to get me started otherwise I don’t shut up. I am always happy to discuss my work with others too, as getting others feedback on how my work makes them feel lets me not get too far removed from being to express myself to others successfully.
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: Depends on the subject and my mood.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: It is in my blood, both sides of my parents family were/ are very keen photographers, I guess when I finally got over trying to buck the family tradition I gave in and picked up a camera, I have never looked back.
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: It is a means of expressing myself artistically, previously I did it via music but now there is little time to play unfortunately.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Yes, funnily enough it was of a frog.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: No degrees in photography, I have a couple of degrees in forensic science so rather than go back to uni again I learnt on the job by working with a professional for 5 years.
Q: How technical is your photography?
A: Not as technical as my mentor would like but thanks to the training I have received a lot more than it used to be. But at the end of the day it is the final product which matters, the pictures have to speak to you and have soul.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: I crop in camera mostly but hey whatever presents your image best is what I do to get the finished product. I am a very strong believer in finishing all my images.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: Australia, absolutely love it, such diversity and beauty.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Something that has to come from within.
Q: What is your most favorite and least favorite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel?
A: Most : Yes, Least : no. Goes for both life and photography.
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: It doesn’t, but my attitude and mood influences what is captured through the lens.
Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: A deep sense of loss, which I use to drive me so I don’t miss any like that again.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Every day is a new challenge and I thrive on the challenge to grow as a person and a photographer, I use the fear of failure as a motivating tool for myself.
Q: Who are your influences?
A:Marcus Bell, Joe Buissink, Rob Heyman, Yervant.
Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: My favourite image changes regularly as I come across new work which inspires me. But my most inspiration images are those which are ethereal and beautiful with the emotion from the image speaking through straight to your soul.
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: Varies too much.
Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Constant renewal of inspiration and motivating myself to always improving. Never to let myself sit on my laurels.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Finding the time to allow myself to grow.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Couples on their wedding day.
Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: Lying on the ground taking a photo of a young eastern brown snake (the #2 most dangerous snake in the world) with a macro lens with his head a few centimeters from my own. Most scary great shot and glad I took it but seems a little foolish after the fact.
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: After a shoot where you put your heart and soul into it and create images that are beautiful and moving and the subjects/ clients just don’t care. :(
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: Yes, study others work whom you admire and find what inspires you again.
Q: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
A: Unusual.
Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: LOVE IT TO DEATH!!!! Not enough respect for it at the moment but I produce a lot of it for my clients.
Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: I’d like to, I think that it is easy to get your head stuck up your @ss if you get too carried way with thinking of yourself as a pure artist.
I am a service provider in a job that allows me to express myself artistically but I still need to satisfy my clients otherwise I go broke.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Easygoing and emotive.
Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: People cry, I love that my work moves them.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: Well, if I tell it everyone will know so best keep it a secret :)
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Jennifer Hawkins, Salma Hayek and Miranda Kerr
Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back get out there and try it!
Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on
photographers and photography?
A: Mmm Not a fan, I believe that the photographer should leave the client / subject in no worse a state than we found them. Something that was taught to me by my mentor and I believe we have a responsibility to respect our subjects.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: Whatever is required to finish the image to how you want to present it is fine with me. I use it regularly.
Connect with Scott via his wedding, portrait and fashion photography website.