Q&A with Pro Photographer James Musselwhite

Q. How did you get your start in the world of photography?
A. Initially at school, learning darkroom techniques and processing, later it was at evening school and finally got a break in a high-street studio as a trainee photographer.





Q. Why is photography important to you? Can you describe the moment when you knew photography was just something that you had to do.
A. From a young age I just always felt comfortable and able to do it. I remember looking through my nana’s photo albums as
a very young boy and just getting tired of the sheer number and repetition.
I was always drawn into the portrait images, particularly of my granddad. I just think photography is a really emotive, personal medium that most people can relate to.

Q. What has been your career path so far?
A. I started as a trainee photographer in a high-street portrait studio, then worked my way up the ladder to eventually training other photographers nationally within the company.
I took the decision to go
self-employed in 2010 and started the business Closer Photography. I now shoot studio images of newborns from our loft conversion at home, and work on location with videography.
In 2014 I gained my Fellowship with both the MPA and the Societies with a panel of work entitled “Portrait of a Wrestler” which has now grown to be a separate business of its own.

Q. How did you come to specialise in your chosen area of photography?
A. The new-born’s and family work has always been there, but due to space restrictions in our studio, it just makes sense to focus on mums, dads and babies.
Regarding wrestling I’ve always been a fan and I wanted to help promote and legitimise the art form for the companies and for the wrestlers involved who are not only phenomenal athletes, but magnificent storytellers and psychologists.

Q. What do you want to do with your photography? What motivates you economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
A. The only people who claim not be motivated by money are those who have it. I’m motivated by money, but also the process of simply getting better, to keep learning and to keep surprising people.  To have the opportunity to work with more people, in more places and do innovative and creative things.

Q. Which photographers influenced you? How did they influence your thinking, photography and career path?
A. Initially in my student years I was always drawn to the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, which given the style of my Portrait of a Wrestler work seems to have planted a subliminal seed. Diane Arbus was also an early influence and later Brian Duffy, who’s a really intriguing character. In the more social market the work of Kevin Wilson and Lisa Visser continues to provide a constant source of inspiration and their both lovely people too.

Q. Is there something you always ask yourself or think before you push the button?
A. What am I going to shoot in three shots time?




Q. What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered and how have you overcome them?
A. Getting into wrestling was hard initially... it was a quite a closed platform, but once I’d gained trust it was easy. Constantly trying to find a different style to shoot in as my previous styles get copied and mimicked.
And with babies, just trying to be a successful male photographer in a niche market dominated by females.
It’s not a bad thing, it’s just at times it’s hard to convince mums and the market in general that you understand, can handle safely and are comfortable around newborns.

Q. What piece of tech/software/camera equipment couldn’t you do without?
A. Hand squeakers! The most versatile, useful, game saving device I’ve ever been introduced to in kid portraiture. Other than that, the technical stuff, the hardware... it’s
all white noise... people buy people, particularly in photography.

Q. Can you work us through the process you use when you set up a shoot?
A. For babies, it’s simple lighting... evenly spread, a nice comfortable, warm environment. If parents are happy, their kids tend to be too... and to make sure, my changing mat, nappy bags, muslin cloths and wet wipes are always close to hand
For wrestlers, pack baby oil and spandex.

Q. What tips would you give to a beginner photographer?
A. Deal with criticism and praise in the same way.

Q. What is your favourite photograph that you have ever taken?
A. My favourite photographs tend to be my personal ones... often taken in the moment with my kids, shot on my phone. We’re so lucky, that these moments... these cute, intimate, brief moments can be captured on mobile devices, it’s an opportunity and privilege not afforded to our parents’ generation. With my professional work... I’m very critical... I’m probably still trying to shoot my favourite.