Who are the best photographers in London? Here are our top 25 for 2020
It's no secret that London is a talent hub, brimming with individuality across the creative sector. At Perfocal we want to champion our talent, share their stories, and define what makes them stand out in the crowd. To do so, we compared 1000s of images, 100s of customer reviews, and whittled a list of over 100 exceptional photographers down to 25. For each of the finalists, we held an intimate interview to understand their love for photography and what makes them unique. We were enamoured by their responses. We were taken on a twisting and turning adventure through childhood memories, photographic philosophy and romantic destiny. We hope you enjoy reading these tales, as much as we enjoyed hearing them.
Now without further ado, a huge thank you and congratulations to our top photographers:
Alessandra M
Alessandra spoke to us from Bali where she ‘unfortunately’ got stuck due to the pandemic. She has recently been travelling through Asia to enrich her portfolio and explore with her camera. Born in Italy, Alessandra studied photography and cinematography, taking internships in theatres and assisting photographers to develop her craft. She moved to London to forge her photographic career, and now lives and works from her home/photo studio. Her background in performance and visual arts seeps into her work; every shoot is an act, every setting is a stage, and every subject is a character in her photographic play.
What do you love to photograph?
“I have worked with a lot of models and actors, which is great because they are so confident and easy to direct. But when I shoot people who are not professionals in front of the lens, I get to help them discover a new side of themselves, which is really rewarding”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal photoshoot?
“I shot a wedding where the bride wore a vintage yellow dress. There was a fantastic vibrance to the day and it was so refreshing to photograph a bride in colour. It was such a visual day I took over a thousand photos!”
What makes you unique?
“I love cinematography so I like to echo this in my own work, using warm tones with contrasting blues I create that dramatic theatrical style in my photography.”
"when we look in a mirror, our face is reflected alongside our internal view of ourselves."
What moments do you love to capture?
“What I love about photography is that you can gift confidence. Let me explain, when we look in a mirror, our face is reflected alongside our internal view of ourselves. As a photographer, you can reframe that view. A photograph can help someone discover a view of themselves they didn’t know existed; a bold side, a sexy side, a vulnerable side. I love to capture those moments.”
Alex L
Alex decided to replace his gaming time for a creative habit and in the process found himself a career. He tried everything from painting, to calligraphy, to graffiti art before settling on photography. He was drawn to photography by its instant, reactive form of creation. Unlike painting and drawing which is a longer process, photography is almost immediate.
After purchasing his first camera, Alex taught himself the technical side, gaining ever more knowledge as he practised. Upon moving to London he was inspired by the variety of people, stories and backgrounds. The diversity of his subjects allowed him to explore the people that make up this capital. Alex has an impressive portfolio, shooting for London Fashion Week, various DJs, and the Wimbledon Championships.
What do you love to photograph?
“People are my favourite subject. Photography is a way to consistently meet new people who bring new stories and perspectives into my life. This extends to all people, celebrities, musicians, parents, graduates, nurses, lovers, everyone. All people I meet through my work are a pleasure to photograph.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal photoshoot?
“It was the first shoot I ever did with Perfocal, it was a portrait shoot in Shoreditch. The client and I kept it really relaxed and collaborative, we walked around stopping at locations we liked, taking shots as we went. It just felt like two friends hanging out.”
What makes you unique?
“My communication skills, I ensure there is a conversational aspect in every shoot to engage and relax my client. I like to learn, and am active about it. I reach out to photographers I aspire to on social media for advice all the time, this attitude means I continuously improve.” Alex’s work speaks for itself.
"That lock of eye contact before a kiss"
What moments do you love to capture?
“Moments of hesitation. That lock of eye contact before a kiss, or the welling up before a tear. I like to capture emotion on the cusp, right before it happens. It is important to me that my photographs evoke a feeling in the viewer."
Andy S
Andy is a photographer of the world, more experienced than most, and more travelled than many, he has shot thousands of weddings and has photographed on every continent. During his career he willingly adapted from film photography into digital, enjoying the ownership it gave him over his work. With a wry smile, he tells us of his pre-digital version of photoshop, “it’s simple, you just move unwanted things out of shot before taking the picture.”
“it’s simple, you just move unwanted things out of shot before taking the picture.”
Andy’s career as a photographer began in his early 20s, and his camera was his passport through time and travel. His first job was on Queen Elizabeth 2, a historic cruise ship, and now he feels lucky to have experienced and documented this decadent, dying form of travel. There is very little that Andy hasn’t seen, nowhere he hasn’t been, and even less he hasn’t photographed.
What do you love to photograph?
"Simply put, Weddings and portraits.” Andy is a well-travelled photographer with a passion for urban exploring, he describes that he is motivated by location. Andy avoids using studios and finds significance in an environment that is meaningful to his subjects. He finds that clients feel more at ease in natural environments, making for a more authentic photography.
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
As a father himself, Andy’s favourite Perfocal shoot was for primary school’s website. Letting out his inner child, he joined the kids in the playground to shoot these relaxed images. He was fascinated by the insight it gave him into the day to day life his own children enjoy at school!
What makes you unique?
Having shot more than a thousand weddings and being the well-experienced photographer that he is, Andy’s humorous professionalism is what makes him unique. His laid back attitude allows his clients to relax knowing they are in good hands. Andy assures us, “my easy-going persona can rub off on everyone, including the bride.”
What moments do you love to capture?
During weddings Andy finds himself capturing moments he himself can relate to. He says, “Watching the father of the bride ‘giving away’ his daughter is an emotionally prominent moment to me, because one day soon, it will be me and my daughter.”
Arda K
15 years ago at a University in Istanbul an amateur street photographer had a realisation “I want to make this hobby my career”. Then began a winding tale that followed the young student as he trained to become a product photographer. But his story hadn’t taken it’s last turn. Let me transport you now to the streets of Istanbul, where the air is filled with the fragrance of Turkish bread and the sounds of joyous laughter. Here Arda was helping a friend, who was opening a small cafe. He photographed dish after tantalising dish, to the sounds of the busy kitchen when he had another realisation “now this is what I really want to do!”.
Arda has since moved to London, setting up a thriving creative agency centred on food photography. In our interview, I was overwhelmed by his warmth, but also by the depth of his knowledge. When I asked for his secret, he told me with a broad smile “perhaps it’s cheating, but my wife is a professional chef, I know just how much effort she puts into her food!”
What do you love to shoot?
“I love to shoot food documentaries. There is an interconnectedness between food and people, one cannot exist without the other. One day I’ll produce my own food documentary, I have a few budding ideas.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“It was a photo-shoot for a Sushi restaurant in Battersea. I must say their sushi is the best in town. Their Itame (sushi chef) is very talented and passionate about his job. Everything was prepared fresh for the shoot, and they were kind enough to prepare a package for me and my wife.”
What makes you unique?
“I’ve worked in so many different areas; photography, management, marketing, design, and in the kitchen. Photography is not only about your technique, sometimes you need to feel your customer’s desires even if they can’t express it themselves. I take the time to do this, I even draw pictures to help them visualise the end result.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“I really love food. I love discovering new cafes and restaurants, and I enjoy the moments when I meet the creators.”
Bart & Paulina
Bart and Paulina are our power couple, like are Bonny and Clyde, they photograph side-by-side. Collaboration is their strength and they use it to their advantage. In true ‘girl next door’ style they grew up together as neighbours in Poland, and eventually, they fell in love and moved to London. When Bart started shooting weddings professionally he roped Paulina in to help as a second shooter. Bart taught Paulina the technical aspects of photography but she had a natural flair with people and was able to connect and direct them with ease. From this, they formed their photographic duet.
What do you love to photograph?
“As a couple ourselves, we love to shoot weddings. This life moment is so special to many and so we take pride in capturing these for our clients.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“We had the opportunity to shoot our first Indian wedding with Perfocal. It was a new exciting experience for us. It was held in their parents garden which had been beautifully decorated and the day was filled with colour, from the outfits to the food.”
What makes you unique?
“We are a team in work; and in life. In partnership we can provide dynamic angles of the same shot, using different lenses for varied styles. Between us there is absolute trust, we know each others strengths and weaknesses, and can often wordlessly communicate.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“The first look. When the bride & groom see each other for the first time, that is a look to remember.”
David R
Davide found photography by accident, having moved from his home town of Bologna to London in pursuit of a music career, he started shooting time-lapse videos for fun. His work was discovered by a production agency who asked him to aid in shooting a documentary on the history of Britain. Despite telling them he was an amateur they liked his style so were willing to give him a try. Discovering his passion for being behind a camera, Davide started shooting landscapes, urban cityscapes and interior shots. Davide has shot most of the UK and been inside many iconic London buildings with his work.
What do you love to shoot?
“I love to shoot places and spaces. I am lucky to be able to photograph some amazing scenic locations or walk inside incredible historic buildings and document their unique architecture. I also shoot construction work it’s amazing to see how buildings develop and come from the ground up.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“I shot the interior for the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) in Bloomsbury. It had so many peculiar rooms, all interesting and I enjoyed exploring as I worked. The building overlooks Russell Square, which was a memorable view.”
What makes you unique?
“I take time to find out from my client what exactly they want their photo to say. I need to understand exactly what the photos are going to communicate before I start shooting. Each job is different, but every client wants photos of their product to be the best representation of it.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Each moment during a time-lapse shoot is unique, so success is not defined by a single moment. Instead, it is a series of important moments held together by time. Cheekily, my favourite moment is post-shoot, when I look through my files knowing I got the best shots.”
Edita S
Edita is a bright and engaging, self-taught, self-motivated photographer who has built her career by any means necessary. Between side hustles, reading photography books and working for free, she gained experience and built her portfolio. Always prepared, Edita brings everything in her kit bag to each shoot, so that nothing goes unseen. She prides herself in never having an unhappy client and is ever-evolving her skills, learning new techniques.
What do you love to photograph?
“Wedding photography is my passion. I love the staged shots, where I have the chance to take the couple aside, pause time, and create their story.” She describes her role at a wedding transitioning from a “journalist documenting every moment, to an artist, creating a masterpiece.” Edita writes their visual fairy tale in technically strong, creatively composed images that communicate their personal love story.
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“My favourite shoot with Perfocal was a surprise marriage proposal, the boyfriend and I were like spies, sneaking around the hotel. All the while, his future fiancé was unaware. It was rewarding to be a part of such a prominent moment in this couple’s love story.”
What makes you unique?
Unlike some photographers, Edita doesn’t have a signature photographic style. Like a chameleon, she can change and adapt depending on her client's expectations. Technically driven, Edita has a full kit bag so she can recreate any look. “As a photographer, I don’t want to be one dimensional, I am constantly looking to learn new skills and try new equipment.”
What moments do you love to capture?
Equipped with three cameras on the day of a wedding shoot, Edita says, “there is no one moment I love to capture, every detail is significant, and for that, I need to be ready.” Ensuring she is in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment.
Efe O
Born in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, Efe crossed the Mediterranian to study interior architecture at the world-renowned Central Saint Martins College London. Finding a career behind a camera, Efe uses his architectural background to excel in his field of property photography. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he leads a minimalist existence. “In life and on the set, I like to keep things simple, you don’t need a huge set up to produce the best results, it can distract you from the fundamentals of composition. I try not to exaggerate, and produce honest photography.”
What do you love to shoot?
“As with property, I pursue honest photography when I shoot portraiture. Candid photography is always the most sincere.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“It's probably the one I've shot in Aldgate East, it was a top floor penthouse flat of a high-rise building, and the views were amazing! The layout was challenging, it’s always hard to shoot against lots of windows, but the results were good.”
What makes you unique?
“Having an interior architecture degree certainly has helped me achieve great results, however, it's getting the fundamentals right that has my work exceed my clients’ expectations.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“I do mostly architectural shoots, so the best moments would be during the golden hours when the light looks most magical.”
Emily S
Emily is colourful in all regards; her green hair, her sunny personality and her photography. Emily has travelled the world for both photography and love, shooting weddings in some of the most romantic cities across the world, Milan, Rome, Sydney, and now London where she has relocated for her own romance. Emily’s adventurous spirit is perfectly matched with photography, it allows her to work anywhere in the world, meet new people, and see interesting things.
What do you love to shoot?
“I love to shoot couples, weddings, proposals. Anything that involves people in love. It is so captivating to see and even more to shoot.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“It was a portrait shoot with an artist looking to build his portfolio, we had coloured smoke bombs and we shot under a graffitied bridge in the Leake Street tunnel. The combination of colours and the effect of the smoke was amazing.”
What makes you unique?
Emily’s sense of humour shows through in her approach to clients, “I like to make people laugh and feel relaxed. So I play little games and tricks with them to get them laughing. I ask them to sensually whisper what they had for breakfast into their partner's ear or close their eyes and try to hug them. Anything that makes them forget about the camera."
What moments do you love to capture?
“Moments of joy and happiness. Laughter is contagious, even from a photo, so I love to capture those humanly, happy moments in a picture.”
Giulia L
Enthusiastic, earnest, honest, kind, optimistic and transparent. Giulia blends all of these qualities with a healthy dose of playfulness. One cannot help but be charmed by her carefree attitude and her playful smile. She is our most popular photographer, and the numbers speak for themselves; she has completed over 100 shoots with us, and has received an overwhelming amount of 5* reviews.
What do you love to photograph?
“Besides event photography & weddings, I love portraiture; in this one-on-one scenario, forming a connection is so important. You have to create the right mood. It puts the subject at ease, and the results are always better. It’s funny, I can tell straight away if I have it, and if I don’t, I find myself working hard throughout the shoot to get it.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“It has to be Sarah and Mark’s winter photoshoot in Sloan Square. I just love this couple, they are super beautiful inside and out, and are really good at showing affection towards each other.”
What makes you unique?
“What’s my secret? Well, I take inspiration from the old masters, the way artists use light hasn’t changed much in the last 20 years. You will often find me nosing around the national portrait gallery.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Grandparents are deeply rooted in our childhoods, and there is often a special connection. On a person's wedding day, there can be a moment when they connect. It can be a hug, a gesture or a knowing look that is symbolic of a deeper feeling. I love to catch that moment”.
Iyanka C
Born in Sri Lanka, Iyanka made London his home in 2004. He built a life for himself here in the UK through photography. He has the kindest of souls and is most proud of the work where he has supported charitable causes. Fittingly, some of his professional highlights include working with various social enterprises and homelessness charities. In his interview, Iyanka's calm and endearing personality immediately put me at ease; and I understood then the secret to his photography, Iyanka has mastered the art of making his subjects feel comfortable.
What do you love to shoot?
"Aside from portraits, I love to shoot fashion, commercial, corporate, events and wedding projects."
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
"It was the 15th anniversary of this gorgeous American couple who were returning to the city where they first fell in love. We walked around London and it was so easy to capture the essence of their relationship."
What makes you unique?
"It's a tough question and I've asked this of myself recently. To find out, I went through all my reviews, and the common theme was how comfortable I made people feel. And it's true; I love working with people. I love building a connection. I love the challenge of making people feel comfortable. Often before a shoot, I will do my research on the customer so I know what will get them talking."
What moments do you love to capture?
"When shooting a portrait, it's difficult to capture candid photography. It's a little cheeky, but I often get the subject talking about something they like, whilst I do some "test" shots. Often clients choose the candid test shoots over the more posed photographs. It's that special something in people's eyes when they speak with passion."
Jacquetta C
Jacquetta is a young & dynamic Scottish talent with photography in her blood. In her interview, she described stealing her father’s equipment at a young age to empower her work. Trained in fine art, Jacquetta has an eye for colour and she brings this into her photography. “As I compose images, I think about the surrounding colours. The rich sky blues, the earthy greens, and the dull greys of cityscapes. I then use these elements to compose images that capture attention.” Well mannered, Jacquetta uses her subtle charm to build a connection with her subject. As she puts it "a camera is a key to other people's lives".This charm has taken her all over the world, where she has shot off the back of speedboats, on the side of racetracks and underwater.
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“I shot an engagement for a couple in central London at 7am on a Saturday morning, the city was empty so we got some incredibly romantic shots next to some of London’s most famous landmarks. I loved their story. When the bride-to-be first arrived in London, like many she felt so lonely, but when she met her fiancé, he introduced her to a community, and she fell in love with the city. This shoot was about capturing those memories.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“I love the in between moments. Those fleeting moments in between poses that are so human and almost impossible to see unless captured in a photograph.”
Joel R
Joel’s relationship with photography was born out of intrigue. From a young age, his father cautiously allowed him to borrow his analog camera as long as he didn’t waste any shots. This stern word of advice stuck with him and he questioned every composition. Imagine then, his excitement when he got his first digital camera. With this magical device, he could take as many shots as he liked.
Through the veil of his lens, Joel locked eyes with the bare-chested tribe’s women and he knew he had captured a rare moment.
At the age of 18, Joel had a rare opportunity to spend seven days with the Pemon tribe in the Amazon. After a week of gender separation and avoiding eye contact with the females, as is custom, he was permitted to photograph them. Through the veil of his lens, Joel locked eyes with the bare-chested tribe’s women and he knew he had captured a rare moment. Excruciatingly, he learned a painful lesson of digital photography, with the touch of a button, photographs can be deleted just as easily as they can be created. Channelling his frustration of those lost pictures, Joel has developed his talent into a career specialising in portrait photography.
What do you love to photograph?
Captivated by his own curiosity, Joel tells us his passion is documentary portraiture. “Whatever grasps my attention at the time, that is what I am interested in translating into a photo story,” Joel tells us his current interest is photographing drag queens.
What was your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“I shot this couple that I clicked with instantly. I didn’t need to force the conversation to establish a connection, it was just there. We walked around Regents park, got a coffee, and took photos as we went, it was simple, but perfect. ”
What makes you unique?
Joel uses his background in journalism to establish a connection with his clients, “I ask them lots of questions to find common ground, learn about them, and make them feel comfortable around the camera. I reassure them, I know it is hard to get your photo taken, I don’t like it either.” Breaking down the barrier between photographer and subject he finds it easier to create natural and authentic images.
What moments do you love to capture?
Joel describes capturing candid moments that are intimate and honest. “I avoid staging any poses, instead I aim to catch the couple interacting the way they would if I was not there.”
Juliana V
In the years before digital photography took hold, Juliana studied photojournalism on the outskirts of São Paulo in Brazil. She remembers working in the university photo lab, revealing the negatives, and processing images for the students. Like many others, she embraced the new technology for all of its advantages, but she retained a traditional mindset that applies thought to each composition, she educates me “you can still think analog, whilst using a digital camera.”With years of experience behind her, Juliana explains that photography has become meditative for her, “when I’m taking photos, I forget everything else. I’m totally there in the moment and I have absolute focus.”
What do you love to shoot?
“Headshots, Portraits, Events, Parties, the list goes on.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“It was for a lady called Claire. She had just moved in with her boyfriend and wanted a fun and natural set of images for her Linkedin profile. We laughed a lot, and the results were really good.”
What makes you unique?
“I come from a photojournalism background. So I try not to disturb the moment. I only interact when really necessary. This mindset is useful for events, where you have to be more than just observant. You must also understand body language, and predict movement so that you are ready to capture a moment, even before it happens. For portraits, it’s different, you have to interact. There is a short amount of time to establish a relationship and you have to use it; for the best portraits are taken in-between poses whilst you interact with the subject. It’s in these moments that the subject comes to life in a natural way. As their photographer, you have to make them come to life, you have to bring their smile, and when desired, their seriousness. To do this you must be willing to put the camera down and build a connection.”
"ready to capture a moment, even before it happens."
What moments do you love to capture?
“Simply, the moment when the subject comes to life.”
Kate T
Kate’s talent for photography surfaced at a young age when she brought her camera on a school trip to Sweden. The local newspaper in her Ukrainian hometown recognised her skill and published her photos. Despite discovering her photographic abilities as a teenager, it wasn’t until 2017 that she expanded her photography and began to explore portraiture. Kate was quick to realise how different shooting people was from her comfort zone of landscapes. This engaging and more demanding form of photography captivated her interest and formed her career. Kate has shot for the Guinness Book of World Records and The Big Issue.
What do you love to shoot?
“It is so hard to say one thing because there are so many different things that I enjoy photographing, but right now I am into portraits. Couples, individuals, families. Every portrait shoot is different.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“It was a family photoshoot in central London with a mother, her sister and her one-year-old son. Her son was reserved and shy at first but once he warmed to me he was so full of joy which was amazing to photograph.”
What makes you unique?
“It has to be the emphasis I put on comfort, I am not as concerned about the technical aspects of photography as I am about the human aspect. I want to ensure that my subjects feel at ease and can be themselves.”
What moments do you love to shoot?
Kate talks about light as if it is tangible, “I love to shoot moments of light. Placing my subjects near a window where the light is diffused so I can get a reflection in the glass, or backlighting the subject when there is sun streaming into the room. I am looking for the right light in the right moments.”
Kenneth
Kenneth, a full-time pharmacist, talks of the sadness he feels meeting sick patients every day. For him photography is his salvation; his creative outlet. Kenneth sees photography as a positive way to help people, by documenting the happy and healthy moments in someone's life. Kenneth’s friend initially introduced him to using landscape photography as a form of therapy during their travels, quietly and considerately taking up to two hours to shoot locations. The transition to photographing people was a steep learning curve for Kenneth, but he discovered he had the eye for it. His first wedding shoot was for a childhood friend, it was a special day for the couple, but also an important moment for himself.
What do you love to photograph?
“I love photographing people, but during the pandemic, I have been doing a lot more street photography. It has been really interesting to shoot the world as it is now and how people on the street interact in a different way to before.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal photoshoot?
“I shot a same-sex marriage for Perfocal which was so touching to me as it was the first gay marriage ceremony I had photographed. The day was laid back and fun and the couple wanted candid natural shots - my forte. There was a palpable sense of love between them, it was so intense, and it came through in the pictures.”
What makes you unique?
“Anyone can take a photo, but not everyone has the sight. I have the ability to see the unique beauty of my subjects. As a photographer, you can highlight that side of them. Some people are insecure or camera shy, but when you show them what you see, they look at themselves in a new light.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“I really like moments of people showing affection. When I see parents showing their love for their child, I want to capture that. I imagine the child all grown up, looking back an image, reminiscing in a loving moment they might have otherwise forgotten.
Ligia F
Ligia possesses an energetic and beautiful soul. She spoke to us from Brazil where she has moved with her husband. Telling us of her international background and how varied ethnicities are in Brazil she puts us at ease with the question , “Did you know that the Brazilian passport is highly sought after on the black market? It’s because you can be from anywhere and still look Brazilian.” It’s clear Ligia can talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable in her company.
Like many professionals, Ligia was working as a Lawyer when she realised it wasn’t bringing her the joy or satisfaction it once had. She decided it was time to leave law and find something new that would captivate her imagination. She compares finding photography to a ‘eureka moment’ and knowing that 'this was it'. Ligia used her dancer friends as subjects to practice and build a portfolio, she then showed the images to an art director for a creative opinion, who has since become her husband. Recognising her talent, he encouraged her to study photography and make this her new career. She did just that and made her dream a reality.
What do you love to photograph?
“I love families, children, couples, parents, mothers. There is something so special about photographing people who are a unit, you see their unique family quirks and you can capture that bond. I am a big fan of being spontaneous and photographing children requires this skill. They can be unpredictable and impossible to direct, so I let them play and take photos as they are having fun."
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“I loved photographing this surprise proposal because not only was it romantic and exciting, but it was something I had never heard of before. I think it’s a cultural thing that doesn’t exist in Brazil. The shoot was so happy and emotional and we got some amazing shots, the girl was in shock the whole time, I felt emotional too!”
What makes you unique?
“I think it stems from my career in law, I was so shy growing up but law taught me how to talk to anyone and I use this skill in my photography. I like to chat and get to know the person before getting behind my camera, I take a seat with them and ask about their story, then when we feel the time is right, I begin to take pictures.”
"When I see pictures of him like this I don’t recognise him."
What moments do you love to capture?
“Whenever my Dad is being photographed he puts on this stiff forced smile. When I see pictures of him like this I don’t recognise him. So my favourite moments to capture is a person being themselves so that they or their loved ones can look at an image and think, yes, that that is them.”
Mark C
Click. That mechanical click. As Mark described his childhood memories, I closed my eyes and I could hear the sound of him loading film into his father’s camera; click. Mark is a storyteller, as well as a photographer. Technically obsessed, at the slightest provocation, Mark adds mystery and intrigue into specifications, models and settings. Yet his nature does not impede his ability to capture a moment. He recites to us “the best camera is the one you have with you”.
“the best camera is the one you have with you”.
True to this famous phrase, Mark fell into his profession after photographing precious moments between families at his local church. “The response was so encouraging, they really loved the images. One couple even offered to pay me to photograph their newborn”. Encouraged, Mark turned this first success into a career.
What do you love to shoot?
“I enjoy headshots because it is a chance to get a bit more technical. I can bring different light sources to create a range of styles, from a classic corporate look to something more Hollywood”.
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
Mark’s favourite shoot was a bit unusual and out of his comfort zone. “It was a product launch for an underwear brand, I was photographing this group riding the tube in only their pants. Everyone was looking at us, it was such a laugh. But technically speaking, I really liked this influencer couple. I was able to get creative, playing with the light and colour to create some moody effects.”
What makes you unique?
Mark is clearly engaged by the endless technical capabilities of photography. He describes some of his techniques to use artificial light, “I combine two flashes at 45-degree angle to simulate the sun or use a pulsating strobe light to combat it, depending on the look I am going for.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Humanness, moments of connection.” With a non-intrusive, documentary-style approach, Mark teases out the connection between people that is already there, “when I see this it is a pleasure to capture.”
Marta D
Marta is an energetic, engaging Italian photographer who doesn’t wait for things to come to her, she goes out and gets what she wants. Marta took a chance on photography when she quit her 9-5 accounting job to forge a new career. As a form of self-teaching, Marta shot the streets of London where she spotted a handsome photographer who she approached for work. As it turns out, her first photographic love story was her own. Fifteen years on, Marta and her partner are still sharing their life and a successful photography business together, with the same passion and dedication of when they first met.
What do you love to shoot?
“I love to shoot love, weddings, couples and engagements, I am slightly obsessed with the connection and stories between couples.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“Perfocal gave me the opportunity to fulfil a dream of mine, shooting at the colourful Renaissance Staircase of the St Pancreas Hotel. It is iconic, romantic and of course, famous for featuring in a Spice Girls music video.”
What makes you unique?
“I like to work with my clients and make them feel involved during the photo shoot. I often share my ideas and show them shots as we go along. I think it's important obtain feedback and to listen to their ideas and vision. I find that by doing so, it makes my couples feel more connected with me, consolidating a sense of trust and adding a spark to their eyes, for more relaxed, fun and engaging images.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“It varies depending on the shoot, but I always look for tenderness between people and authentic emotion. I once captured a moment between a groom and his grandfather that I will never forget. A simple but encouraging thumbs-up as the bride walked down the aisle. This small human connection between the generations was locked into an image forever.”
Nacho R
Nacho has deep experience in photography. Through his practice, he aims to capture the essence of a scene without staged intervention. As he puts it, he seeks “to become invisible”. With absolute focus, he patiently observes his subject waiting to capture the perfect candid moment. The results are breathtaking.
Having achieved most of his photographic goals (solo exhibitions, photographing his favourite bands, featuring in international photography festivals,) he now spends most of his time passing on this art form. He tells me of the elation he felt when one of his workshop students reached out to thank him after winning a contest; “there is no better feeling”.
What do you love to shoot?
“I love analog black and white photography, that’s my speciality, and I use that technique for my personal projects. As a documentary photographer, I really enjoy any commission that involves people. As a trained architect, I'm also interested in spaces and interior design.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“I really enjoyed the portraits that I took for Pimms during Wimbledon in 2018. Having access to the best tennis tournament in the world was an amazing experience. However, technically speaking, there have been a few couples who photographed really well.”
What makes you unique?
“I'm naturally very calm, I practice meditation and my experience with the analog process allows me to fully immerse myself in the act of creating images; from capturing a picture, up until the final print appears in the darkroom. This generates a deeper connection between me and the people and spaces I work with.” Nacho blends photography and meditation together in his mindfulness workshop; we highly recommend signing up.
What moments do you love to capture?
“In all my work I love to become invisible and capture people in natural moments. I bring this to portraits by making the people in front of my camera feel comfortable, relaxed and confident.”
Onur Y
Onur’s photography career began in Turkey in 2008 where he shot weddings for family and friends. However, it wasn’t until he moved to London in 2017, that his photography career took off. Working as a property photographer, Onur explored the city through his lens, his career was literally opening doors to him. Missing the human element of photography, he returned to shooting weddings, where once more he felt the emotional rush in the work of preserving each individual fairytale.
What do you love to photograph?
“It has to be weddings, they are such unique emotional journeys. I know that it’s my job to document these precious memories, and I love the pressure to perform. I’m always thinking ahead, anticipating the next moment.”
What was your favourite Perfocal Photoshoot?
“I have shot lots of memorable wedding shoots with lovely couples but the shoot I did at Wimbledon with Pimms was a bit different. The weather was gorgeous, it felt so British and the backdrop was a wall of white roses.”
What makes you unique?
“I know my camera inside out. This means I can catch those significant moments without having to fiddle around with settings.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Like every romantic, there are so many key moments in a wedding that I love, the flower girls, the bride's entrance, the first kiss. But my favourite part is the ‘confetti moment’. It is so joyful and fun, and sometimes you can see the relief in their eyes.”
Paulina K
Paulina is first and foremost an artist, aperture and white balance are her pallet. Yet against the artistic stereotype, her feet are firmly placed on the ground. Aged 18 Paulina relocated to London to study Fine Art Photography at the University of Arts London. Solo in the city, she drew upon memories of her hometown in Eastern Poland to inspire her work. After graduation, like many artists Paulina decided to take on paying clients to support her creativity. Having spoken to them, we know they are often blown away by her character, conversation and her ability to capture a treasured moment.
What do you love to photograph?
“I enjoy interior shoots because I’ve studied architecture. A person’s space gives me a little bit of insight into their lives.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“It was an interior shoot in a gorgeous property with clean, geometric architecture and lots of light. The windows were a beautiful feature in the space and the property was decorated with books and paintings.”
What makes you unique?
As an artist, Paulina incorporates her practice into every shoot she does. “I don’t just provide a service, I provide an artform. Every shoot is a chance to practice my style, this way I can ensure unique artistic integrity in my work.”
What moments do you love to capture?
Drawn to light, shadow, and subject matter, Paulina describes capturing the essence of an object or space, “I try to find poetic and sculptural qualities in everyday, mundane things.”
Ray B
Ray is more knowledgeable than a camera manual. With his curious nature, he has researched and tried almost every camera. His personal favourite being his mirrorless Fujifilm, the opposite to his very first camera, a hefty Russian SLR, made with zinc. But before owning a camera, Ray’s passion for photography was ignited at the age of 7, when he borrowed his mother’s on his maiden visit to St.Kitts in the Caribbean. He described the visual culture shock and his youthful eagerness to capture what he saw. Disappointed by the blurry results, he read encyclopaedias to teach himself the technical skills to achieve the photos he had envisioned. On his return to the Caribbean, Ray was armed with his Russian SLR and the knowledge needed to get beautifully sharp images.
Ray talks about his love of analogue, the process of planning an image, and the discipline of creating prints. Resistant at first to digital, he was convinced by the spontaneity and flexibility that it allowed, giving him the chance to develop his documentary and street photography skills.
What do you love to photograph?
“Documentary style, street photography, I love to capture a situation as it develops. I really enjoy contrasting light and shadowy tones.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“I shot a 70th birthday party in London, all three generations of this family were together, some had flown over from Australia for it. It was rich with photo opportunities, children playing, adults chatting beside the fire, and speeches from all the generations. It was an emotional day for the family, I felt lucky to capture it for them.”
What makes you unique?
“My own criticism, I am the first person to identify my mistakes, I rarely applaud myself. But I know that this means I get things right. My own standards are so high that I can achieve exactly what the client wants, and if I think it is good, I know it is great.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Nostalgia, emotions and memories. I love to capture people in the moment where they are creating a memory. I am so focused in my observation when I shoot, I am searching the crowd for reactions and responses to the main event; the mother of the bride wiping away a tear, the children pulling a silly face, the little moments that exist in parallel to the main event.”
Sarka K
Sarka’s smile is contagious, her bright and open personality captivated me instantly and I understood how at ease her clients must feel. She is a warm and caring person, who has seen this pandemic as an opportunity for charity. Instead of working on her own website, she set up lockdown-loveup, an ingenious fundraising initiative, of which the proceeds go to supporting the elderly.
Curiously, Sarka worked as an interviewer before moving to London where she swapped her language skills for a camera. Since ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ Sarka felt it was a natural transition. Last January she achieved a career goal of producing her first solo exhibition, exhibiting photos from her travels to Cuba.
What do you love to photograph?
“I love to shoot documentary travel photography. In Cuba, I shot the everyday reminders of Fidel Castro. In India, I documented its vibrant and energetic culture.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal shoot?
“It’s hard because I love them all, but there was this one graduation shoot with a young couple. It was such a happy day for them and they were so easy to get along with, all the photos came out perfectly.”
What makes you unique?
“It can be challenging to make sure you don’t miss a moment, so I make sure that I get involved with the action. I don’t let myself sit back like I am watching TV, I try to become part of the picture, not just an observer.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“Laughter and happiness, I want to capture those moments between people that come from love and joy. Sometimes this is shooting continuously so that I don’t miss anything, other times this requires me being silly. I do this really good monkey impression, it gets people laughing.” Of course, we couldn’t resist asking her to re-enact this impression for us, it's every bit as good as it sounds.
Sussie M
Sussie a Swedish born photographer who is fluent in both sign language and body language. Brought up by deaf parents Sussie talks about the more visual world she lives in. Having honed into sight over sound her talent for photography is vivid. Sussie has worked across the globe, photographing dance and movement, in Sydney, New York, Rome and London. With these iconic capitals as her backdrop, she has photographed ballerinas n the streets of the Big Apple, and in the sand of the Colosseum.
What do you love to photograph?
“Bodies, in movement through dance. I am fascinated by the lines and shapes created by the figure. There are endless artistic movements and variations of human form that can be photographed.”
Tell us about your favourite Perfocal photoshoot?
“It was for this gorgeous couple with baby twins in North London. They didn't want the overly staged studio shots with costumes and fairies! Instead they wanted something that reflected their personality. So we took shots in their home before heading to a local forest."
What makes you unique?
“I am a very emotive person and I like to communicate my clients' expressions and emotions through my images. I prefer to shoot black and white so that there are no distractions from the emotional aspect of the subject, their personality is described by their expression.”
What moments do you love to capture?
“I love to capture the transitional moments of a body in motion when the subject is not aware of me and they are truly free with their body. To me, this is a real moment of beauty.”
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