HUMAN NATURE

Portrait and documentary pro Gareth Iwan Jones on having an open mind and reconnecting with nature

- Lauren Scott

Tell us about your photographic journey...

I've never formally studied photography, but I had a keen interest in the visual arts from a young age. My first big break was The Times Young Photographer Of The Year in 2006. That set me off along this path.

From there, I assisted a few photographers in London before landing my first paid photography job at a family photography studio in Essex. I worked there for a year before moving to a large media agency in Bristol and then went freelance four years later in 2011.

How would you describe your style and approach?

Styling-wise, I've always leaned towards the cinematic whilst simultaneously being drawn to the everyday and ordinary. I like to light my setups where possible, usually blending the available ambient light with additional artificial lighting to create stylised portraits. As for my approach, I would say 50 percent intuition and 50 percent trial and error. I like to work in a fast and loose approach and trust my instincts in the moment. Having spent time working in a live news environment, this has informed my approach and proved to be useful in the fast-paced, high-pressure, and time-restricted situations I often find myself working in.

What was your first camera, and what kit do you shoot with now?

Funnily enough, my first ever camera was a Sony digital camera. It was a Sony F828, which I adored at the time its 8MP was considered revolutionary. These days, I again predominantly shoot with Sony's wonderful mirrorless cameras. Currently a pair of a7 R IVs. They're small and punchy.

Images from your project 'Tree' saw you become a winner at the Sony World Photography Awards. Could you tell us more about the project and how it came into fruition during lockdown?