An Interview with Annemieke and Jo

This week we interview our colleagues Annemieke and Jo at Horseshoe Photography. So without too much further a-do here it is :-

Hello Annemieke and Jo, welcome to Veil & Train.

Where do you call home?

Annemieke:

This is the question of my life! I am originally from Holland and have made my home in various places, travelling abroad and living in different countries. England has been my main base for the last 7 years and really feels like my main home. But, my husband and myself are currently planning to spend 6 months in Cape town – during UK winter- and ultimately would like to move between South Africa and England and have business in both countries. The plan is to have sunshine all year around!

Jo:

For me – I have had a very different experience as I have lived in sunny Brighton for most of my adult life! I am expecting a baby in the New Year so they’ll be no jetting off for me. Somebody’s got to hold the fort eh? The great thing about spending so much time in the same place is that I have very good knowledge of the city and the surrounding countryside – meaning I know where all the good locations are!

What started your interest in photography?

Annemieke:

I have always been a visual person, which I have inherited from my mum; she brought me up with a lot of creativity, of which I have very fond memories. I started experimenting with imagery when I was studying graphic design at Art College in The Netherlands. I loved the power an image can have and was fascinated by what a photograph can convey. I started experimenting with visual language, translating ideas into images. From the moment I did this, I changed my course to photography.

Jo:

For me, it was my father. He was a photographer himself – working as an assistant in London in the 60’s, so I grew up with his images of his life and my childhood and that sparked a love of imagery in me. It wasn’t until a bit later on in my life that I decided to do something about it myself. Like Annemieke, I have always been a visual person so following the photographer’s path seemed like a natural progression.

How long have you been a photographers?

We have both been photographers for about 9 years, wedding photographers for the last 2 years.

Did you go to school to study photography & how did that impact your work?

Jo:

I met Annemieke whilst studying for a BA in Editorial Photography in Brighton. She came from an Art Academy in the Netherlands and carried on at the university of Brighton. Previously, I had completed a National Diploma in photography too – which had encouraged me to continue along this path as had I fallen completely head over heels with the world of contemporary photography and imagery. Through studying photography, we were able to experiment and find our own personal style, which is so important, as you have to differentiate yourself from so much competition out there.

What did you do before you worked as a photographer?

Annemieke:

Before I became a photographer, I worked for a Location Scouting company in London, finding locations and assisting in the production of photography shoots and commercials. This taught me a lot about the practical site of running a business. After a few years, I got itchy feet and being a creative, I decided to steer my career further to being a photographer myself.

Jo:

I had been working in fashion – managing a women’s wear label, “Sarah Arnett” – which specialises in beautiful printed silks. Again, it was a very visual job and involved some styling and merchandising. I have since enjoyed incorporating my fashion influences into my work as a photographer and continue to be inspired by current visual trends.

How did you two make the break to becoming a full-time photographer?

We have both exhibited and published our work nationally and received various Awards for our work such as the LPA Portraiture Award, the Guardian Media Award and the Independent Photographer of the year Award, which has raised our profiles and helped a lot but mainly we feel it is because of our passion for photography mixed with a lot of determination!

Who or what inspires you as an artist?

The painterly images from artists Bill Henson and Andrei Tarkovsky inspire me for their amazing use of light and subject matter. They are both artists that photograph human condition in beautiful timeless imagery, which are captivating as they contain a certain mystery and ambiguity. There are many more photographers that inspire me also, portrait photographer Kathy Grannan, Rineke Dijkstra, who often have a conceptual approach to their work.

There is also a lot of amazing contemporary wedding photography out there. I find the “rock n roll bride” website very inspiring as they often show beautiful creative wedding photography.

Jo:

The 70’s fashion photographer, Sarah Moon, hugely influences me – her work is beautiful and ethereal and has a certain mystique to it. Also, the work of a Japanese fine art photographer, Mahissa Fukase who makes exquisite haunting imagery. I am also influenced by “found” and “vintage” photography as I love the way in which imagery can change and become more poignant with time. I love to create images that have the feel of the old – timeless but also aged, with a sense of history. When Polaroid was threatening to discontinue their film, I was most upset. Photography is so much more than an instant digital image and that is why wedding photography is such an amazing thing to be getting involved with, as there is so much scope to create beautiful memories.

How would you best describe your style of wedding photography?

We both work very intuitively and have a strong sense for colour and style and take photos that bring the atmosphere of the day into our imagery. Our style has become a mixture of photojournalism, fashion and fine art photography. Working together keeps our style fresh; it is great to bounce ideas of one another and work as a team.

Describe your typical day at work

It so depends, every day is different! We have recently spent a lot of time in the office, updating our site, developing new idea’s, working on our blog and meeting clients to discuss their wedding. We will start being very busy photographing weddings at the beginning of the year, so there will be a lot more editing, and post production, creating albums etc

What do you love the most about your job?

We love the fact that we do what we are passionate about; creating beautiful, contemporary images and getting paid for it! We also feel very privileged to be part of such intimate affairs and to provide a beautiful record that is so important to people’s life.

If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

We are both passionate about our work and are committed to deliver beautiful photographs of a high standard. Our combined style, through experience in Fashion, Fine Art and Photojournalistic Photography make us a dynamic team offering a unique style covering Wedding from various angles.