FEATURE:
In the Frame
IN THIS PHOTO: Phoebe Fox
Phoebe Fox
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I am not sure how many…
IN THIS PHOTO: Holly Humberstone/ALL PHOTOS: Phoebe Fox
of these features I will do, but I wanted to celebrate some wonderful music photographers. To be fair, I am a huge fan of two womxn in the industry who I wanted to spend some more time with. In an upcoming feature, I will celebrate the work of Pooneh Ghana. Today, I am putting into focus the magnificent Phoebe Fox. One of the best and most talented music photographers there is, I have been thinking about the industry at large. The pandemic halted live performances so, for photographers, that was also a really challenging thing. It was a lot harder to photograph musicians when there was social distancing and no live events going on. Even if you specialise in portraits and do not photograph live music, it was still a scary time. Many have argued how music videos are far less relevant now than they ever was. I am not sure how much they are heralded now, but I am still a big fan of the medium – and I may well explore the best music videos of the year at a later date. The importance of videos and how they connect to the song. You will never replace or diminish that. The same goes with photography. You will always need music photographers, but I think some say it is quite easy and intuitive. Like anyone can rock up and be one. Whilst it may be an industry everyone can enter and pick up; a truly inspiring and notable music photographer is someone who goes far beyond capturing a shot.
IN THIS PHOTO: Bree Runway
There is a lot of talent needed to be able to get the composition right. To create a shot that catches the eye and is original. Whereas a live shot might be about the instancy of capturing a perfect moment on stage, there is a different set of disciplines needed when it comes to posed/press photos. I am not sure which is hardest, but music photographers often have to switch between the two. The adrenaline and nerves of getting that awesome live shot, compared to the thought and planning required to pull of this wonderful portrait or a band or artist. I am including a few shots from Phoebe Fox throughout this feature. If you want to follow where, then you can go to her Instagram, Twitter, and you can see many of her photos here. She is someone who can capture these phenomenal live shots, but she also takes amazing portraits. I think she can easily move into music video direction. Fox has examples of moving image, but I feel she could step into filmmaking in general. Maybe becoming a film director too. Somebody whose work is very distinct yet broad, she is one of the finest in the business. Fox has been awarded campaigns with, among others, Vevo, and Cartier. She does festival and press shots, and she has photographed the likes of Bree Runway, Arlo Parks, HAIM, Madison Beer, Maggie Rogers, and Sigrid. Fox is someone who wants her subjects to be relaxed and not feel like their privacy is being invaded. To make them feel at ease and get that natural shot – where the artists are comfortable and at ease.
@bbcradio1 what it’s like to shoot photos backstage at #bigweekend with @Phoebe Fox ♬ original sound - BBC Radio 1
Before round things off, there is an interview that I want to drop in. Actually, there are a couple. I will start with a 2020 interview between University for the Creative Arts and Phoebe Fox. It is clear that she was born to do. The passion she puts into her work really shows. Some of the most striking and memorable music photography has come from Fox:
“The road to success isn’t always linear — sometimes it takes a leap of faith, a bit of luck, knowing the right people and having a lot of initiative. Someone who knows all about that is UCA graduate Phoebe Fox, who switched degree courses, collaborated with students on other degrees, networked throughout the industry and worked photography jobs in the middle of her studies to achieve her dreams.
Today, she’s travelling the world and touring with some of the hottest musical acts — from The Amazons to Anne Marie — to capture their most important moments, from preparing backstage to performing in front of thousands.
We caught up with Phoebe to find out how she became a photographer to the stars.
Did you always set out to do the job you do, or did it happen by chance?
Since the start of high school, my focus was definitely on photography, but I didn't have a clear idea of which area to specialise in. I went to the BRIT School for sixth form and became friends with a bunch of music students. That pushed me towards portraiture, but I didn’t consider music photography as an option itself until I’d networked enough to see the work opportunities.
Back then, there wasn’t the large online music photography community that there is now. After joining Music Marketing and Promotion, I spent three years balancing touring, festivals, shows and portraits with university commitments and deadlines. There’s no way I would have been able to do that without the support and flexibility given to me by the UCA lecturers. By the end of those three years, I handed in the final major project, went home to pack and got straight on a tour bus for a six-week run with Anne Marie.
IN THIS PHOTO: Anne-Marie
When you’re photographing someone in the public eye, how do you work with them to create that perfect shot?
How you photograph someone changes with every job, obviously some people hate having their photo taken and you just adapt to that. I always make sure that the person being photographed feels understood and respected.
There’s a line between getting a great personal shot and invading someone’s privacy.
You have to find where that line is and learn how they want to be perceived, then use your own creative eye to capture it.
What are your ambitions for the future? And who is the dream artist or band you’d most like to model for you?
Honestly, I don’t have set ambitions — just to keep growing as a creative, getting better as a photographer and finding more ways to have fun with work. The absolute dream would be to shoot for Avril Lavigne: the icon”.
This is another great interview you should check out - but I am going to round off with an interview from Buzzkill Magazine. Talking to her during the pandemic, it must have been stressful and strange time for Fox. They asked her about the first camera that she picked up, and whether there was gender equality when it came to music photography; whether womxn were getting the same opportunities and platform:
“Did you always want to be a photographer or did it just happen?
I always wanted to be a photographer, what I didn’t know was what I wanted to specialise in, that part just happened.
What was the first camera you ever picked up? Do you still use it?
A family digital point and shoot haha, I wish it was way cooler than that like an old film camera passed down or something but it wasn’t. I’d just go for a walk around the block and take photos of flowers or whatever. It’s in a cupboard and kept for sentiment but definitely not being used.
What is your current go to equipment?
If there’s no time pressure then a medium format, Mamiya RZ67 and a reflector, if there is then a 35mm or my digital.
You’ve gone onto photographing some of the biggest and most exciting names in British music. What’s been one of the most unreal experiences you’ve had so far?
I honestly find every UK festival unreal, just bumping into extremely talented people and being able to chat as well as document them is something I’ll never take for granted. It's places where the pressure levels are lowered like that that you enjoy everything more.
IN THIS PHOTO: Matt Healy (The 1975)
What does photography mean to you?
Capturing and documenting the way you view something, that you can't explain to others by using words.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking environment?
Single point focusing .
What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a music photographer?
You can’t replay a moment to shoot it again, you have your shot and that’s it.
What drives your determination and ambition when it comes to your creativity when taking photos?
My love for a song or artist, it’s another way of being a fan with the ability to express that collaboratively.
IN THIS PHOTO: Maggie Rogers
Do you believe that traveling has helped you discover your style at all?
100% but more so, I think having less time because you’re travelling forces you to make decisions faster and when you do get the time, you know how you want to practice or need to figure out in order to develop.
There’s so many new bands/artists popping up right now! If you could photograph any of them who would it be?
Gonna have to name a bunch, there’s a band called Sorry who’s album 925 I listen to constantly. They’re based in London and I just think everything they do is so slick and creative. They have a real dark spark.
Katy J Pearson, based in Bristol, has this like Florence and the Machine meets Stevie Nicks voice and writes timeless, beautiful music, I really recommend her album Return which came out last year.
I’m obsessed with this band from Copenhagen called Iceage right now, they’ve been around for like 10 years creating their legacy and have released a few singles recently, with an album on the way.
And Phoebe Bridgers, not only for her discography of instant classics and perfect self aware emo branding (that would be really fun to express through photography), but because I’m a big Elliott Smith fan and she knows some real obscure info.
IN THIS PHOTO: Arlo Parks
What bands/artists are you currently listening to right now?
How long can this list be? haha!
Aside the ones I just mentioned, Arlo Parks, Phoebe Green, Hand Habits, Grace Carter, Yard Act, Do Nothing, Sunglasses For Jaws, Shame, Fontaines DC, Holly Humberstone, Beabadoobee, Malady. SO MANY MORE.
What is your ultimate goal as a music photographer?
To document the people I admire and understand them more. I’d love to be able to make a book someday.
Do you feel as time goes by there’s more of a female presence in music photography?
100%, when I started the ratios were very different to what they are in a photo pit now, I think there’s been a lot of progression in making womxn feel safer at live shows in particular, but there’s still a long way to go.
What advice would you give someone who wants to start music photography?
Learn how to use your camera in your own time, when you feel comfortable with your equipment then dive in and learn the rest as you go. As long as you know what you’re doing in your role, the rest you’ll pick up”.
A phenomenal photography who is inspiring so many people (and young womxn coming through who want to get into music photography), there is nobody in the industry quite like Phoebe Fox. One of the very best out there, the London-based photographer is someone to watch very closely. I think, as years go by, her portfolio will grow even larger and more impressive! Perhaps she will direct and think about film and that side of things. It seems that music is where her heart is – and that comes out in every shot that she takes. Her photographs are ones that always…
STAY in the memory.