Cityscape

In keeping with our mission to support and inspire creativity, we ask the artists we collaborate with to offer insight into their work, a look behind the scenes, and the opportunity for our readers to learn more about the process. For our latest fashion feature, photographer Owen Smith answers our questions.
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How do you typically find inspiration for your work?
I often find inspiration within my work through reflecting on where I was raised, in the Northwest of the United Kingdom in a place called St. Helens. Referencing the documentary photography of the surrounding Liverpool and St. Helens areas, I often shoot in locations that call back to the places I would hang around when I was younger or cast subjects who resemble this Northern attitude.

How do you see your work evolving in the coming years?
I see my work evolving in the coming years by creating images that showcase a more experimental side. Whether this be creating narrative-based imagery or self-portraits, I want to broaden my horizons with what I can do with image-making: to see what works and what doesn’t.

What do you do to overcome a creative block?
I overcome a creative block by letting go and turning off. Doing something non-creative, such as spending time with friends, working out, taking a long walk, or reading, I find that I notice something on the street, overhear an inspirational saying from a stranger, or catch an impactful line in a book, enabling me to overcome the block and to work again.

Do you have any surprising essentials on set?
Icebreakers. I’m always eager to understand who my subject is, to get to know them past surface level and allow for an ease on set. It elicits the best imagery from someone. I also tell the subject to portray a character so they are able to mold into the story of the shoot.

What is something you wish you had known when you were starting your career?
I wish I knew that things take time and to enjoy the process. Sometimes, ideas don’t work the way you want them to, and you should always have a backup option if all else fails. I also wish I knew to never force an idea or project. Photography should be fun, and never feel like a chore. If the idea is not working or you feel frustrated, then something is going wrong.