Andrew Mason: Founder of the London Photo Show
“Creative projects happen when photographers think about the ‘what’, the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of their photography.”
Andrew Mason is a London-based photographer with over 12 years of experience working with high-profile clients like Microsoft and Marriott. He is the founder of the London Photo Show, an annual event for photographers to showcase their work, and runs 36Exp Photographers’ School, where he teaches a variety of topics related to photography and creative thinking. His expertise spans across portraits, events, and commercial projects, making him a respected figure in the photography community.
© Andrew Mason
JLH: Can you tell us a little bit about you and where you are from?
AM: I’m originally from Warringston but have lived in London for nearly 30 years now. I work as a photographer, shooting for businesses - mostly portraits, headshots, events and marketing content.
JLH: Can you share your journey into photography, when and how did your passion for photography start?
AM: I did a degree in Genetics and then worked in a lab for 2 years. That wasn’t for me so I went to Australia for a year and then worked in the travel industry when I returned. This allowed me to travel a lot and it has remained a passion. I took a lot of photos wherever I went. Eventually, I decided that I had to take the plunge and make a go of turning my photography “hobby” into a job, so I did that around 12 years ago.
JLH: What inspired you to specialise in portraits, events, and musicians?
AM: It was kind of the only way I could think of making money out of photography.
© Andrew Mason
JLH: Can you tell us why you started The London Photo Show and what it's all about?
AM: Before photography was my job, I had a couple of exhibitions. One was a solo exhibition of travel photos and no one turned up to see it and it was expensive. The other was as part of a photography group and it was such a buzz, being part of a group and having many more people coming in to see my work. So a few years after setting up 36exp Photographers’ School, I thought it would be an idea to do a group exhibition. I realised people get a huge buzz from seeing their work on the wall but it was quite inaccessible in terms of money and exposure. With a group exhibition, we can have a great venue and generate lots of footfall which would never happen for individual photographers unless they are well known.
JLH: What motivated you to start teaching photography alongside your professional practice?
AM: I’ve always been good at explaining things in simple ways and enjoyed passing on knowledge to people.
JLH: How long have you been teaching, and what subjects do you focus on in your courses and workshops?
AM: Around 12 years. I teach mainly about business as well as lighting and portraits, plus mentor people towards the London Photo Show. I also take people to Spain a couple of times a year to do photography courses. We go to Valencia to shoot architecture and the area around Santander to photograph coastal Landscapes.
JLH: How would you describe your teaching style and philosophy?
AM: Hands-on and practical, explaining concepts simply and then letting people apply what I’ve taught so they can see the results. I like to focus on the bigger picture and most important aspects rather than minute details. There is more than one way to get great shots, so I try to give people a toolkit they can use in lots of situations. I also explain that mine is not the only way to do it and that people should absorb as much as they can and not take one person’s advice as the only way to do things. Creativity needs experimentation and mistakes!
JLH: What do you believe is the most important concept for your students to grasp in photography?
AM: Using light, exposure, composition and dealing with people if you’re shooting portraits.
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JLH: How do you balance practical skills with creative development in your workshops?
AM: Depending on the subject you are shooting, there are always a few technical aspects to get right, so I would make sure people understand basic concepts to achieve what they want creatively. Creative development is about having enough practical knowledge to make your ideas happen. Creative projects happen when photographers think about the ‘what’, the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of their photography. What are they photographing and what do they want to show? Why are they photographing it in the first place and why are they going to apply a certain photography technique? Then, how are they going to photograph it technically, practically and compositionally? Creative and practical skills overlap in that process.
JLH: What techniques or skills do you find essential for capturing compelling portraits?
AM: Treat everyone as an individual and work out what they need the photos for or why they need them. Quickly find some areas that you have in common and that resonate with them. Know what will work well in terms of lighting, posing and environment for that person. Then there is the technical stuff like lighting as well as composition but that has to be second nature as all of the attention should be on the person and not fiddling around with camera settings.
JLH: How do you prepare for a shoot, particularly when working with musicians or at events?
AM: Usually I pack two cameras, two lenses, four batteries, four memory cards, a laptop, and one flash. Read the brief and check how long it will take me to get there.
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JLH: What is your creative process like when planning a portrait or event shoot?
AM: All of my work is for clients so I need to understand what that client’s goals are. I would usually work to a brief or help the client develop one. The brief would include background to why images are needed, where the images will be used, brand guidelines
JLH: How do you approach storytelling through your images, especially in dynamic environments like concerts?
AM: Shooting events is a lot like street photography. I anticipate moments, look out for good compositions, find nice light and then wait for the good shots to happen.
© Andrew Mason
JLH: What trends are you seeing in portrait/event/music photography?
AM: People need more and more imagery all the time. Companies are trying to look more human and want to tell a story about what they do that connects with their audience.
JLH: What advice do you give to aspiring photographers on building a successful business in this competitive field?
AM: Read some business books and treat it like a business, not as a creative pastime. Think of yourself as a plumber. You need to find a problem to fix. If you don’t solve a problem no one is going to pay you.
JLH: What is the most rewarding aspect of photography for you?
AM: I still get a buzz of capturing the perfect moment, that could be an expression on someone’s face or a perfectly composed and lit moment at an event.
© Andrew Mason
JLH: Can you share a memorable success story from one of your students or The London Photo Show?
AM: There was this young woman, I can’t remember her name, but I think she might have been from Singapore. She was already really good at photography but she did a couple of courses and took part in the London Photo Show and at the same time she established a really amazing photography community.
JLH: What upcoming projects or goals do you have for your photography and or course/workshop endeavours?
AM: To fix the roof of the Bargehouse.
JLH: What has been your experience with the Urban Photographers Club?
AM: They are a really friendly, enthusiastic bunch of photographers who seem to have an amazing community spirit. Some of them are OK with photography too.
