Ollie Radford

Photography

Mar 17

Written By WÜL Magazine

Photographer London, UK

Ollie Radford is a fashion and portrait photographer born and raised in the Fens, now living and working in North London. His practice and inspiration are rooted in his hometown and upbringing. Having an avid interest and allure for the natural world and its beauty, Ollie's work predominantly waits around these principles.

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I think my work portrays a calming, still nature, evoking the viewer to look more considerably at the world around them. My path into photography was somewhat accidental. I became interested in the mechanical nature of cameras and the process of shooting and hand-printing images in the early stages of my education. It was after this initial interest that I started to explore the ways photography allows us to hold moments, time, and subjects to be examined in a way we cannot with the bare eye, photography was a tool to be able to look closer. A lot of my early practice was strongly influenced by my mentors. Through them, I was inspired down the route I am now on. I feel this influence from the people I choose to surround myself with and photograph is a continuing factor of influence in my work.

I don't have a strict vision of what I'd like to create in the future. I think this is limiting for me to think in that way when it comes to my work. As long as I feel I'm representing the people and places I photograph in a thoughtful and true manner I'll be happy.

The most significant aspect of my work to me is the portrayal of the world as is. I’m not trying to create new worlds or environments; rather, I strive to show those that are around us already in a way that is thought-provoking and beautiful. I feel my work celebrates the simple act of looking.

I want to continue allowing my work to progress naturally and exist in a way that is not forced or overthought and stay close to who I am as a person. I would love to be able to continue the connection of the natural world and my practice into my career as a photographer and offer a window through which viewers are presented a way of seeing the world they perhaps wouldn’t otherwise.