Sophia Gray sits down with Simon Carter, a talented photographer with an eclectic background that spans from circus performance to lighting design and professional photography. Simon takes us on a journey through his unique career, blending his mathematical precision with his creative flair, and shares insights into his approach to photography, lighting, and storytelling.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:
✅ From Mathematician to Circus Performer – Simon reflects on his unconventional path, from studying mathematics to joining the circus, and how this shaped his creative process.
✅ The Power of Collaboration – How working together with models, dancers, and other creatives brings out the best in a photoshoot, and the importance of creating a collaborative space.
✅ Photography as Performance – Simon compares his experience in the circus to photography, discussing the parallels between performing and capturing dynamic moments in a shoot.
✅ The Art of Lighting – A deep dive into Simon’s expertise in lighting, from creating dramatic shadows to setting up the perfect scene, and how light is used as a tool to shape the story of a photo.
✅ Overcoming Creative Blocks – How Simon has used mentorship and collaboration with other photographers to overcome creative frustration and push his work forward.
✅ Capturing Movement – Simon’s experience working with dancers and acrobats, and the challenges of photographing movement in action, from ballet to contemporary dance.
✅ Behind the Scenes of Fashion and Editorial Shoots – The dynamics of working with large teams, models, and stylists to create compelling fashion and editorial imagery.

💡 Key Takeaways:
🎨 Creativity is a journey of discovery – Simon’s career path shows that creativity can evolve through different experiences, from mathematics to the circus and photography.
📸 Lighting is everything – Mastering lighting techniques can make or break a photo, and Simon’s technical expertise shines through in every shot.
💥 Collaboration is key – Working with others, whether in the circus or photography, leads to the most dynamic and successful creative outcomes.
💡 Push through creative blocks – Don’t be afraid to ask for help and get out of your comfort zone when you feel stuck in your creative process.
✨ Enjoy the process – Embrace the unpredictability of creativity, whether it’s working with dancers or finding the right moment in a photoshoot.

🎙️ About Our Guest:
Simon Carter is a multifaceted photographer with a diverse background in circus performance, mathematics, and lighting design. Specialising in fashion, editorial, and performance photography, Simon brings precision and creativity to every project. Known for his expertise in lighting and his ability to capture movement, Simon has worked with top models, dancers, and performers, creating stunning imagery that tells a unique story.

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🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.