Speaking at the Photography Show – Jack of all Frames
Fifth Year in a Row speaking at The Photography and Video Show
This weekend I, Dr Denise Maxwell spoke at The Photography Show for the 5th year in row. Recognised as a leader in my field I have spoken multiple times about various aspects of the Business of Photography.
This year featured two talks one “The Jack of all Frames” was about how shooting multiple genres made me more resilient and more money this was sponsored by Black Rapid and the second “Pits, Passes and Premieres” focussed on those events that photographers dream of, such as Red Carpet Premieres and Fashion Weeks. Denise has been shooting London Fashion Week since 2013 and premieres around the same time. This talk was sponsored by Zoom Photo Tours.
Fashion Week ad Film Premieres
Fashion week has seen me shoot people I could only dream of being anywhere near when I first started my career everyone from Naomi Campbell, Jordanne Dunn and Kanye West and Premieres have seen me shoot everyone from Denzel Washington to Sharon Stone and Mick Jagger. In all of my talks I try to find points of relatability with the audience and try and give real practical insight.
Privilege and Industry Links
I remember going to talks before I was established and leaving without any real tangible information that I feel I could use. Photographers would either skirt around the real stuff I needed to know, give vague tips or just show me a lot of pretty photos that I would I have no idea how they got, or how to get there myself.
Many talks would also show me that some successful photographers partly owed their success to who they knew and well off families; rather than them working their way up from the bottom, that wasn’t me either. I didn’t have a rich family that could support me while I worked for free. I didn’t have family and friends in the industry that could get me into places that would take others years to access. I often left those talks feeling a bit deflated rather than inspired. How could someone like me with no particular privilege or links make it in this industry?
Doing Things Different
So when I started speaking I decided I would be different.
I wanted to pass on real information that would really help. Information that would not leave people coming from my talk with more questions than answers. I wanted to give people tips on things I had taken years silently learning and made the mistake of suffering the consequences not knowing earlier.
So THIS is exactly what I do in each of my talks. I give those who attend the inside tips most photographers in the industry know, that no one tells you as an emerging photographer. I give the tips that are not written in text books.
Illustrated with Photos and Videos
Being a photographer how else would I tell the stories but with imagery both moving and still. Each of my points are illustrated with video footage and photos from real jobs. So when I talk about a photographer attending a premiere and not knowing they had to bring a step I am able to illustrate that with a video. Similarly when I talk about photographers not knowing how spaces are chosen I am able to illustrate with video.
I actually spend hours and hours looking through hard drives to find the appropriate behind the scenes videos and photos.
When talk about the ideal foot position in fashion photography I am able to illustrate that with pictures.
Working Class background
I also make a point of showing the audience how I grew up in an average working class family. I attended comprehensive schools and was the first in my family to attend university. I share all of these things because I want people who can see any part in me and my story that resonates with them, to know and see that it can be done.
… without having a rich family and industry links.
Feedback
As a result of my approach the feedback this year as every year always speaks about relatability and inspiration. Each year there is always one that stands out, this year it was this one.
“Hi Denise, just seen your talk at the pathography show, I just wanted to say thanks you to you – it was just what i needed to hear. Similar to yourself I am from the Birmingham Area, worked for the NHS for most of my life, currently having to leave due to the most recent round of cuts. While i have no formal qualifications, I’m keen to pivot into full time photography, but constantly told how silly I am for giving up a stable and professional career. While I came to hear about how to manage multiple genres, your story and experience has been inspiring to me – thank you!”
Another photography who also thanked me said she left law because it felt unattainable without links or a rich family, she appreciated hearing someone make it on their own.
This is one of the reasons I do what I do, in the way I do it. And I feel blessed that it is received in the way that it is.
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