What do you do for a living, on the side and for fun?
For a living I’m a photographer. I like to photograph people. I used to want to shoot sports as a kid. Mainly the Tour de France and football. But after a couple of years shooting football for an agency it dawned on me that I wanted more control over the people I was shooting. I wanted them to look at me and I wanted to interact with them. It was Annie Leibovitz’s photos of The Rolling Stones that made me want to not shoot football anymore. I now shoot people pretty much all the time. Portraits. Stills. Bands.

I like being discreet so shooting stills on set is pretty ideal. Just keep your head down and try not to get in anyone’s way. In the last couple of years I’ve dabbled in shooting products.
For fun, I like shooting snaps of my mates and holidays. I still use as much film as possible. I support Tottenham Hotspur, make a mean lasagne, like listening to records and going to the cinema on my own during the day.

What are you working on at the moment?
The eternal hunt for more work. And shooting more things that don’t talk back or walk off. Been working with my mates who make lovely watches Uniform Wares. And I am expanding my ‘People looking at the sea/water’ project now that the summers here. I shot my first bit of TV a while back - Four Three Minute Wonders for Channel 4 with Green Lions Films about the rise of the strip club in the UK. Now working on some ideas to do more.

What do you like and dislike about what you do?
I like the fact that every day, pretty much, is different. I really like meeting people. And I get to travel every now and then - just been to Spain, Sicily and Paris in the last few weeks. I dislike the fact that I don’t get to shoot every day. 

Where did you grow up and how did this affect your life choices and aspirations?
I grew up in Leigh On Sea, Essex. It’s not far from London so when I was offered places to study at schools away I thought there wasn’t much point - I wanted to move to London and be a photographer so college here seemed to make sense. I also shoot a lot of pictures of people looking at the sea. 

What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?
You don’t get if you don’t ask. If you haven’t got any money, don’t go to the pub. 

What’s your number one recommendation?
Don’t be late. 

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Jack Barnes