Angélique

 

Interview with Tom Hoops

 

In what way does the story we present relate to your photography and how would you characterize what you are up to?

My photography is about people for the most part, finding people I regard as being interesting, then finding a location to fit them in. I like the challenge of creating light or using light in locations I'm not familiar with. I hope my stories are beautiful to look at and engage the viewer.

You said you are a self-trained photographer. What does this mean and where do you see the difference in here to others?

I never went to a school to learn photography, I haven't worked as an assistant either.  When I started my career I just tried to shoot the kind of imagery I might like to have for myself as prints. I think perhaps the main difference is that you are not influenced by anyone when self-taught and perhaps its an easier way to create your own vision a little quicker.

You are working out of Bangkok and London. I assume those place very determine the way you work in a very different manner. What make you do this?

Both places are really easy to travel from (before the pandemic) Both locations have some appealing aesthetics. Bangkok has a thriving documentary scene and London has some of the strongest fashion photography, so I like both.  I tend to work the same wherever I am, but there is better talent in the UK and that makes for stronger work I think.

Portraits are your home-base, right? What would you say set them apart? What are the influences and your guardrails here?

I have always been fascinated by peoples faces, the differences and nuances. The face can tell so many stories. So I'm naturally attracted to portrait work as long as I find the person interesting to look at. I try and spend a fair bit of time with people if I know I'm going to get something interesting from a session, it could be a nice long chat before, or dinner the night before.  Then it's down to creating the right atmosphere. during the shoot and ensuring the person is really engaged.

If you work commercially, what are the reasons customers book you from an artistic angle?

I think some commercial clients are looking for a less commercial eye, someone who can say something different about their brand. There are still some clients out there willing to try something abit different and I think in the last 5/6 years there has been more a push towards a more artistic look. 

You are running www.wilddogsinparis.com. What is/was the basic idea behind it, and what kind of photographers do you show there?

Wild Dogs in Paris was inspired by a Newton quote, where he was given film and his words let loose like wild dogs in Paris. So it's really a celebration of the freedom we sometimes have as photographers, mostly in personal and editorial work. It's open to all photographers, but we reject much of what's submitted. At the moment it's on a break while I look at other projects, but will be back at some point as hopefully a print title also.