CHANGING FACES

Peter Fenech meets Mel Esson to talk about the creative rewards and challenges of shooting a diverse range of styles and subjects

- Peter Fenech

Before turning professional, many of us imagine ourselves becoming a specialist in one genre of photography. The idea that our days will be taken up exclusively by shooting one type of subject, or for a highly niche client, is probably the biggest misconception of life at the professional level. This will often be influenced by our personal preferences and creative interests.

It can be a surprise to learn that, while some photographers do, indeed, make a career out of working in a narrow, specialised field – those we are likely to notice first, due to their visibility online, for example – for most, it’s versatility and adaptability that will ultimately underline the success of our businesses.

Flash Photography

With a studio in the centre of Aberdeen, Flash Photography is a family business established and run by Mel Esson and his wife, Donna. Together, they cover a range of photo genres from family portraits to pets and boudoir shoots.

With a great diversity of subjects comes a further unique set of challenges, however. Every shoot type has a specific set of timing requirements and level of direct involvement on the part of the photographer. Each subject type has slightly different demands – both practical and creative – on the image creator, and pivoting between these on a daily basis takes practice and maximum adaptability.

Changing times

 

Mel reflects on 30 years of change in the industry