Newo Ikkin

Professional portrait photographer Newo reveals the Canon gear and lighting equipment she can't live without when creating her fantastical photos

My photography journey began on the opposite side of the lens. I began assisting photoshoots with makeup and hair, with the occasional dabble into modelling for friends as an outlet for creativity. My passion was always creating beautiful characters, pulling styling together for beautiful yet otherworldly portraits. One of my frustrations at the time was not having creative control over what was actually being shot - living in a small town in Northern England, the powerhouses of alternative photography tended not to be based near me, apart from a few whose time I couldn't monopolize! I started shooting self-portraits to create exactly what I wanted in an image, and never looked back.

As a total magpie, I love to use a lot of metallic elements in my photography, using them in tandem with gels and atmospheric elements to make for an interesting scene. Over the past few years I've also loved creating underwater portraiture, having partnered studio with underwater TankSpace many times.

Fast forward a decade or so, I am fortunate enough to now routinely work with some of the most amazing people in the industry to create art. My passion is primarily for moody portraiture, bold colour use, and interesting characters for my models to embody. With a particular love for corsetry and highly stylized wardrobe, every shot is intended primarily for the female gaze and to celebrate alternative culture.