One shot interview with Josh iskander

May 25, 2020  •  Leave a Comment

 

one shot interview with Josh iskander 

What made you push the shutter button to capture this image?

 

 

We’d followed Kate and Stephen up to Haytor (Devon) for a short portraiture session. Both had said “we hate being in front of camera and will hate posing…”. I sat them down when the light seemed good and they chatted about the surrounding ponies, Haytor and looked out across the view. I snapped this from the hip with a 50mm lens. I thought the image had the potential to feel a classic without being officially posed in any way.

 

 

Is this image part of a wider project, if so what is the projects focus?

 

No not part of a wider project, a wedding early on in my wedding photography career.

 

Why is this image special to you?

 

 

The process of choosing one photograph was harder than expected…….. I narrowed it down to about six images but this one kept coming back as important. I should clarify, I believe, I have taken technically better photographs. I have also taken photographs that mean more to me on a personal level, like my new born children etc. However, I think this photograph was a defining moment for me and my photography journey for several reasons. I never wanted to be the stereotypical wedding photographer who takes far too long with the group shots and removes the bride and groom from their guests for a couple of hours for portraits. We did this shoot in well under 10 mins and they got back to their guests. I didn’t pose them once, we just chatted and had a laugh. I made the decision from then on not to formally pose any couple but only look for flattering light and chat with them. Before this wedding I had emailed a photographer I hugely admired (Ross Harvey - still hugely admire) asking for advice on gear and approach. He came back and said ‘buy a D750 and a 35mm/50mm lens and get good with it. If you do that you’ll be better than most’ - I did exactly that and shot this wedding with one camera and one lens - I had more in the bag but didn’t touch them. It opened my eyes to prime lenses, getting closer and really interacting with the people I was photographing. Since then my style and approach have been simpler, I have enjoyed weddings even more

 

 

Is there any photography books that inspired you to capture this image?

 

Not really. This was taken probably on my fourth ever wedding so I was very much new to the game and finding my style/feet. I love documentary photography so have since enjoyed: Magnums 'Contact Sheets', Magnum ‘Home', Greg Williams’ ‘Bond on Set’ books. 

 

What camera are you currently using?

 

Main camera Nikon D750 and 35mm. I have toyed with going to FujiFilm over and over as the X100 was my favourite camera ever. 

 

Please tell us about yourself

 

  I am a professional Teacher and Head of Year in a secondary school in Devon. I am married to Hannah and have three children; Evie, Harry and Erin. I love my job and all that comes with it but I also am a totally passionate photographer. I have loved photography since my dad bought me a Nikon D40 in 2007 probably even before this. Since then I have taken A Level photography, had work published in magazines and regularly shot 10 or more weddings a year. I absolutely love people, therefore wedding photography was a natural progression for me. My ambition is to continue to build my photography business and extend into corporate and event photography alongside my wedding photography. I carry a camera everywhere and am not ashamed about being ’that guy with his camera’. 

 

Links to your social media and website

joshiskander.com 

Instagram: @Joshiskanderphotography

Facebook: @joshiskanderphotography

 

 

 

 


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...
Subscribe
RSS
Archive
January February March April May June July August September October November (1) December (1)
January February March April May (4) June (4) July (5) August (4) September (5) October (4) November December
January February March April (4) May (4) June (5) July (4) August (5) September (4) October November December
January February March April (1) May (1) June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December