20 things you should know about me and my work;
1. I consider myself an Artist, I am a full time photographer and make-up artist and I’m not a plumber or work in the city during the week, only to take photos as a hobby at weekends. So I’m serious about this stuff.
2. I shoot from home for tests etc; purely because the costs of hiring a studio for the day can be astronomical (a local one charges £1000 a day). I do not have money to waste like that. If you do and you want me to shoot you in a studio, then go ahead book a studio and we can shoot. Most of my studio work is shot at home, so it has always suited fine.
3. I do not mind you bringing a Chaperone (or Reflector/’stuff’ Holder as they will forever be known).
4. I like to hear what you want to do, so do send me ideas and images and say “oh I really like this picture, because…”
5. I don’t want to shoot the same picture over and over again. There are many photographers that do shoot the same picture with every model – one that instantly comes to mind is a guy who shoots, models sitting on a bar stool in silhouette –Why? That must be the world’s most boring portfolio.
6. I don’t shoot 100’s of pictures. I will probably shoot 30-40 images. If I shot 300 images I may as well use a video camera. The Set-up (Clothes and make-up) will probably take longer than the shoot.
7. I believe in KISS, that’s Keep It Simple, Stupid. In other words, don’t over complicate things. I often use only one light. I have more but it’s not needed.
8. I have photographed everyone from Prince Charles to Kylie Minogue (Not together) I did work as Paparazzo for the grand total of 2 days and I hated it, they are Scum. I couldn’t be that rude or intrusive.
9. If you don’t like something I have done, then don’t look at it, I don’t need to hear the negative comments, I do enough of that myself, before I show you all.
10. Give credit where credit is due, if you are going to use my pictures then at least inform me or credit me, don’t wait till I find it in a magazine and email you wanting half your fee.
11. *I’ll give credit here, this list thing was the idea of Joey Wright in Florida, I read his profile and liked it so…
12. I try to shoot ‘something Different’ I get a lot of glamour models who want to do just this. So if you turn up with a playboy bunny bikini, expect to be laid out on the floor with tyre tracks over you as in my Road Kill picture or something similar.
13. My dream job would be to work for Harper’s Bazaar (this was my nick name at school), I would love to shoot alternative fashion for big magazines. I’ve had some success at it, but I’m still waiting for Mr Testino to move over.
14. I hate the over photoshoped images that are everywhere now. If you want models to look like a mannequin use a mannequin.
15. I am a fully qualified Make-up Artist (HND2 if you must know) Most of the make-up in the pictures was done by me, unless otherwise stated.
16. I am influenced by artists from Warhol to Royo, Delacroix to Lichtenstein, as well as photographers like Parkinson and Horst.
17. I sing in the London symphony Orchestra Choir an Amateur choir, but I have performed at the Barbican to over 5,000 people. Yet I won’t do Karaoke, because I get too nervous.
18. I was a climber instructor and have climbed some bloody
things in the past, including Smithfield meat market! (and why there is a cat here I do not Know!)
19. I used to shoot a LOT of dance photos; I still would if it paid better, So I know the difference between an arabesque and an attitude. So if you are a dancer and you want to show that in your portfolio, then I would be a perfect choice.
20. I am Tattooed and Pierced and I love tattoos and (Some piercings) I especially love coloured hair and anything alternative, so if that’s you, let’s shoot!!
My Pet peeves (Stands on Soap Box);
1. Photography students should learn to shoot on manual film cameras and not learn how to use Photoshop. The ‘I’ll fix it later’ mentality is just so wrong.
2. What's with the over editing and making models look like Mannequins!! Do the models actually like this!? Well I will remove spots and blemishes but if you’re fat or just down right ugly, don’t expect the Kate Winslet treatment from our shoot.
3. I hate ‘Flakes’ – that’s those people that ‘Couldn’t be bothered’ to turn up or their dog had hiccups so they couldn’t make it. I put a lot of time and effort into shoot, so if you’re not going to turn up, just don’t bother booking a shoot. (And as a reference a flake is anyone who cancels within 24 hours of a shoot).
4. Don’t slag off my models or my work. If you don’t like it don’t look. If I ask for your opinion then you can give it to me, otherwise, just Shhh!
5. Three strikes and your out. If we arrange a shoot and you keep cancelling, I will give you the benefit of the doubt, but three times and forgot it.
6. I don't pay models, clients pay models... so please don't tell me that you'd like to shoot and then send me your rates. I'll simply send you mine in return. *Note* If you actually think you're special enough for me to pay just to have you in my port, I probably don't have a wide enough lens for your big head*
7. Don’t go shopping for new clothes before coming to the shoot, cos if you are 4 hours late because of this I won’t be in for you.
8. If you are doing a glamour style shoot try to make the tan lines match and that doesn’t mean 3 bottles of day glow orange fake tan.
9. If I ask you to do a shoot it’s because I think you have something special that I’d be honoured to show off in my portfolio. Don’t get all divaish because I asked you but do take it as a compliment.
10. I don’t do free shoots as a rule TFP is a rip off. I will Test and supply you with web sized images from the shoot, but don’t expect all the pictures edited and burned onto a disc so you can go get them printed at your own will or send them into Nuts and never inform me that it’s been published.
11. Clients get images because they pay for them. If you pay for a shoot then you will get the edited images.
12. All I ask is you credit me whenever you use them and tell people who did your new pictures if they ask.
13. I will want to talk to you over the phone, or better still meet with you before the shoot, this way we get to know each other a bit and so it’s less awkward on the day of the shoot. Plus we can talk over ideas etc. I won’t do a shoot with you if I haven’t at least spoken to you and discussed the shoot.
14. Photographers really should stop being such weirdo’s around models. It makes it hard for them to trust other photographers such as myself and is why they avoid giving out their phone numbers which then creates my #13 peeve listed above.
15. Stalkers and copycats; It’s getting boring now; no one takes any notice any longer. Be yourself and give up on the bombardment of people. So you got dumped or didn’t make it as a model. Just move on and get a life.
Please message me for my rates. Occasional TESTS are available; please do ask I don’t bite. Honest!
Thank you
Nic Harper
www.photo-nic.co.uk
BBC London TV package, about skateboarding in the Olympics, that has just been reshot for BBC news24. The original package can be viewed via a link on my website (in moving images)
The 2006 Sci-Fi London Film Festival Poster campaign
Mystery Jets CD Cover for - You can't Fool me Dennis & Alas Agnes.
I have covered news events for National Newspapers including
The Gaurdian, the Evening Standard, The Sun, The Mirror, The Star, The Express & News of the World in the UK
Fashion/Catwalk shows for Vogue Nippon & Nikkei Shimbun (japan)
Internation Magazines Including L'Officail (Paris & Moscow), The Dancing Times & Dance theatre Europe.
Fashion Smashion (Australia)
Rock & Pop Concerts ranging from Emma Bunton to Slipknot
Sporting events (Prince Harry playing polo for Hello!)
Portraits of many Famous People including;
Kylie Minogue(Musician),
Sir Terence Conran (Designer),
Alexander Mcqueen (Designer),
Sir Peter Blake (Artists),
PJ Harvey (Musician),
Stephen Berkoff (Actor/Director),
Cerys Matthews (Singer),
Donna Air (TV Presenter) Amongst many others.
I had a very successful Four month Exhibition at London's The Place Exhibition space. As well as exhibiting at the Association of Photographers on numerous occasions.
