Photographer Liam Ricketts talks us through his "mixed salad" portfolio

Date
15 November 2016

Not only does Hackney-based portrait photographer Liam Ricketts take a tidy portrait, but he’s also one of the nicest guys in the business. On this most grey of Tuesdays, Liam chats to It’s Nice That about shooting at carnival, his co-working studio space and why photography is a cat and mouse game.

Hello Liam! Tell us about your work then…

I try and create pictures that are real. The most important factors to me is capturing something clean, precise and truthful. I want to reflect who people are in my portraiture. If I photograph someone that’s funny on the photoshoot, I’ll represent this in the imagery. If you’re feeling a bit shy, I’m not going to bring the camera out and start rattling off the shutter, I’ll get to know you first. It’s a two-way process, very cat and mouse. Leave your ego at the door, let’s talk about Drake or something. I don’t want to place people high up on a pedestal. We’re human beings, man. We are all on the same level. I’ll play “Hotline Bling”, then we can just have an informal chat, and by the end of the song, we’ll capture who you really are.

Judging by your portfolio, you mostly shoot men. Any particular reason for that?

Girls are fun to photograph too! I don’t mind who the subject matter is. That’s just the type of work that I’ve been #blessed to create. If you have tomatoes in your portfolio, you’ll be commissioned to shoot tomatoes, innit. If you want to shoot avocados, go put some avocados in your portfolio. I’m sure I’ll have the equivalent of a mixed salad in my repertoire real soon. I just go with the flow and photograph who I’m interested in, but I wouldn’t say I’m just male focused subjectively.
 

When looking through your work I was particularly struck by your casting. Tell us about one of the characters you’ve encountered.

When I’m working on assignments, I need an acute awareness of my environment. I have to notice what’s happening in front of me, constantly. For example, “Double Smirnoff Dave” from Notting Hill Carnival was having a very, very lovely time. He was giving it large in front of the crowd in his new Duffer tracksuit. I spot him looking like an absolute lad, so I run through the inebriated crowd to take his portrait, whilst he froze for a split second. Maybe he spotted a nice lady wearing a Nike tracksuit? Who knows. I look at that picture regularly and think about all the different components. The box fresh Reeboks, surrounded by rubbish. How did he keep his trainers clean for the whole day? I need to know his secrets. I also question why he’s drinking Smirnoff at Carnival, too. Where’s your can of Red Stripe lad? This is why he stood out for me, more than anyone else. If you’re out there “Double Smirnoff Dave”, I really want to meet you and give you a case of Smirnoff Ice for your next pre drinks session with the boys.

What inspires you?

Working from my co-working studio space in Dalston is inspiring right now. First and foremost, I have to give all praises to the most high at Studio Three. I can ask Jake Dow Smith an endless supply of InDesign questions. I can talk about techno with Marc Kremers on a Tuesday night, or discuss the cleaning rota daily with Thomas Traum.

And what’s next for Liam Ricketts?

I just launched my new website, which I’m thrilled about. Check it out here. I decided that I needed my personality to come across more and I wanted to try a few different ways of viewing my photographs. I worked with Jack Wild and we introduced a wind machine. A subtle, interactive feature for the viewer. It’s the perfect procrastination tool for anyone. Apart from that, I’m working my way through different lunch spots in Dalston, some unreal pitches, and keeping my head above sea level.

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About the Author

Bryony Stone

Bryony joined It's Nice That as Deputy Editor in August 2016, following roles at Mother, Secret Cinema, LAW, Rollacoaster and Wonderland. She later became Acting Editor at It's Nice That, before leaving in late 2018.

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