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Tell us a little about yourself and where you're from.
My name is Liam and I’m a documentary producer from Yorkshire in the North of England. I’ve been shooting film on and off for almost a decade, but last year I made the decision to start sharing my work online and to shoot analog exclusively.
What initially pulled you toward film photography?
I started my photography journey with a DSLR and loved the physical process of capturing images. However, I quickly found myself with hundreds of photos that lacked thought or intention. When it came to editing, I was always trying to emulate the film look. Film appealed to me because it forced me to understand the fundamentals of photography and to really notice my surroundings. After picking up a film camera, I developed a deeper appreciation not only for the craft itself, but for the world around me too.
Do you remember the first photo you ever took that meant something to you?
I have a vivid childhood memory of my parents letting me use their point and shoot film camera during a trip to the aquarium. I remember capturing an image of a shark, something I had only ever seen on television and in films at that point. The excitement I felt when we got the photos developed was unforgettable. I was in awe that this small box in my hand had created something real. Although the image was terribly framed and underexposed, I’m so glad I had something to look back on from that moment. To this day, that photo is still somewhere in a shoebox at my parents’ house.
What made you fall in love with photography?
As a child, I was raised on cinema and remember being completely in awe of moving images on screen. They filled my imagination with ideas and places I could only dream of visiting. At school, I quickly realised I wasn’t much of a painter and struggled to translate the ideas in my head onto a canvas. As I got older and started taking photos, I realised the camera was my brush and the image was my canvas. I finally had a way to express those ideas.
When you go out to shoot, what are you usually looking for?
I enjoy exploring new places without a plan or destination and seeing what I’m naturally drawn to. That sense of spontaneity helps me notice my surroundings more deeply and focus on fleeting moments as they happen. Some of my best photos have come from those unplanned, organic moments.
Do you develop your own film or send it to a lab?
All of my film is developed and scanned by a local lab.
Is there a place or memory that has shaped your work the most?
I’d say anywhere by the ocean. Like many kids, I spent countless hours at the beach growing up, usually with an ice cream in one hand and a spade in the other, so it holds a lot of nostalgia for me. As I’ve gotten older, the beach has become my happy place. It’s somewhere I can shoot but also retreat from the chaos of everyday life. It’s no coincidence that much of my work centres around the coast.
Have you ever missed a shot that still haunts you?
Thankfully, there isn’t one specific shot that haunts me, but I have had rolls of film that I’ve completely messed up. I see it all as part of the learning process.
What keeps you motivated to keep shooting?
I’m motivated by the fact that there are still so many beautiful places and moments left to capture. I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface and that my best work is still ahead of me. Photography is also a form of therapy and escape for me, and it does wonders for my mental and physical wellbeing.
What do you hope people feel when they see your work?
In a time where there is so much negativity and the pressures of everyday life can feel overwhelming, I hope my photos offer a sense of escape. I want people to feel transported into the moment I’ve captured, even if just for a second.