Tom McKenzie - FMP Interview

Tom McKenzie - FMP "Moments in Conversation"

Level 6 BA (Hons) Photography

In this project I discover the importance of a community at University, showing the diversity amongst the students with individuality in fashion. Speaking to each person asking about their experiences and goals for the future was fascinating to hear different stories and perspectives about life at university.

During his time at Solent University, Tom experimented with different types of photography before landing on a couple he connected with. He was happy to talk about his FMP called "Moments in Conversation".

Interview by Natasha Simmons

19/11/2024

Going into University what were your expectations of the course?

When I came into University I didn’t really have an aim to go into a field in photography. I did my A-Levels and did really well in them and though I’d see where it goes. In my first year I just played around with different themes of photography: landscape, portrait and also film photography and it went on from there. In second year I really found my interest in portrait photography, especially in the studio. I got into doing some freelance stuff so I started doing sport photography and music. Third year is when I discovered I quite liked doing fashion concentrated photography and portraiture and I started looking into magazines. Hence why I did a magazine for my last project.

What is it specifically about portrait and fashion photography?

Specifically about how you can express someone’s true self through not just facial expressions, but how their body language is and a mixture of lighting, which inspires me quite a bit. Especially with portraits, I find it quite inspiring how you’re able to express someone’s true self with more than just what they look like.

When your shooting do you have a process you like to keep to?

When I arrive at the studio or on location I do try some different things, but I like to start off with a close-up first which is inspired by a photographer I looked at in my third year called Martin Schoeller. He did a close-up series with lots of different people and I like how it’s more about the eyes than anything else. I always start with a close-up and go on from there.

You mentioned earlier you liked film as well as digital, is there one you prefer?

I do both, but since leaving Uni I haven’t had much opportunity to shoot film because of the facilities they had there. I’ve recently started to think about setting up my own dark room at home and developing my own film which I will start quite soon. Hopefully I will be doing more film photography as well as digital after that. I’m not very biased between the two, I like them both.

Is there one you prefer for a specific type of shoot or does it depend more on the mood?

It’s more on the mood really. With film it can look really vibey especially with the grain and different film stocks you can use.

Are there any other photographers or creatives that inspire you?

Annie Leibovitz is one. Since my first year she has been my go-to when looking at portrait photography in particular. Her lighting style and how she sees the subject is something I like to portray in my own work. I’ve also seen videos of her interacting with her subjects as well, building confidence; it’s something I would like to work on myself really.

Moving on to your FMP, what was the concept behind it?

So it started off as a piece focussed around students at University, in particular how everyone is individual on how they look. Especially with everyone’s fashion sense, people express themselves through how they dress. I started through that and it turned into a studio project where I would take candid shots while in conversation. Not only would I be shooting someone’s authentic self through how they dress, but it also wasn’t staged or posed.

What do you think was the best way to get a good candid shot?

I shot with a trigger, then once we were in a conversation and I felt the subject was comfortable I would start taking the photographs. I wouldn’t even take a photograph in the first 10 minutes of them being in front of the camera. After the shoot they said they were comfortable in the space because we first had the conversation without even touching the camera.

Why was your FMP concept important for you to show?

Throughout my second semester of third year especially it was very daunting the fact I would be leaving University and I wanted to document this moment in time. Especially how everyone looks in 2024, I wanted to document it.

Is there anything you have learnt at Uni, Photography related or not, that has changed the way that you work?

For sure, since coming to University I’ve come out my shell a bit, especially as I was a shy person. University gave me time to discover that I can actually do these things myself. In photography I spent a lot of time improving on myself and my work. In tough times, photography has always been there for me; that’s my outlet for expressing myself really.

What are you doing now you’ve graduated Uni?

I’ve recently picked up a full time job in London Camera Exchange in Winchester. I’ve actually had the opportunity to work with Canon in a training session and will have other opportunities to work with other camera brands and other brands in photography. It’s a good way into the industry as well, I feel like I network quite a bit at work with different people.

Any work or shoots coming up?

Today we’ve got a shoot based on Autumn and change. I’ve been through quite a lot of emotional things myself so I feel like this is a good time to reflect on how Autumn is about change especially right now as I’m feeling it.