Quick Find
Written By
Skilled in the craft of high end interiors, still life and fashion imagery, Carolyn Barber is a London-based photographer with a portfolio abundant in colour and texture. Her work feels light and relaxed, and she has created scenes that look both effortless and beautiful for brands like Oliver Bonas, Cook and Boden. We took a moment to ask Carolyn a little more about her gorgeous work as well as the person behind the ever-clicking camera.
How did your career in photography begin?
For me it all began with the love of drawing and painting. I was obsessed with colour and pattern, then the love of creating shapes through the lens began from 17 yrs. I was an Art Photographer first I suppose and used to document life and still life around Kent. I reached a point where I wanted to earn a living from my photography, so I knew I needed to become more commercial and move to London.
How did working in London influence your work?
So I moved to London and got my lucky break with a photographer ‘Richard Foster’ who always worked with 2 full time assistants. 1st assistant on the studio floor and 2nd assistant doing the bookings/running everything in the studio, including making the lunches for clients and fixing the toilets! Richard taught me lighting and how to run a business and the rest is history.
What kind of work do you shoot most these days?
Recently I work mainly with interior clients, Oliver Bonas Home, David Hunt Lighting, Tesco Home, Jennifer Manners rugs, Laura Ashley etc. It’s like my love for textiles/patterns has come full circle!
Do you prefer working on location or in the studio?
I honestly have no preference, though it’s fun going to location houses and visiting different interiors and venturing into different parts of the country.
Can you tell us a bit about your studio space and how it came to be?
So the studio space was very organic to be honest. I was shooting away for years hiring studios and it didn’t make sense constantly loading up the car and unloading and travelling an hour each way. So we decided to go for it and remortgage we did a side extension and knocked down walls and created a working studio. It’s been nearly 10 years now and it’s the best thing we ever did.
How would you describe your photographic style?
I definitely have a graphic eye but have a feminine softness and compose a shot thinking about the balance of light, shapes and colour.
What elements are most important to you when shooting?
Very easy answer, the light! If shooting in a house where the windows are in the house. Are they facing north or south. Is there skylights? Obsessed with the light and how I can manipulate and control it.
You shoot interiors, products, food and fashion – how do these different types of work inform one another?
I think by shooting such diverse subjects it keeps you fresh and up to date with trends. I love working with such varied creative clients and subjects.
What does colour mean to you?
Oh it makes me so happy. I need colour but not in a crazy way! When colour has been used in a considered way, it’s just wonderful to see. I work with some amazing stylists who just know how to combine colours together.
What’s your favourite thing to shoot?
I don’t really have a favourite thing to shoot, but I do love creating a look/story for a range of products/furniture with the Art Director/ Stylist and creating a mood and feel that just makes you want to have it.
How would you describe your personality?
That’s tricky to self analysis, but I think if friends and colleagues were asked they would say, friendly, honest/direct, hard working and smiley.
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Meeting up with friends and going for walks. I’m West London based so a walk along the river Kew/ Richmond/ Hammersmith is one of our favourites. We are massive theatre goers and we love visiting galleries. I want to start painting again and so have started doing more now the children are teenagers.
What do you think you’d do if you weren’t a photographer?
I would like to think I would have gone into surface pattern design and worked for Liberty’s or Boden or maybe become a painter? Who knows but I feel very lucky to have managed to work as a photographer for over 20 years and I still enjoy it to this day.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I really like the idea of southern Italy, so not too far away, we’ve just come back from a long haul flight to Central America.
What’s your favourite comfort food?
Sunday roast, or toast with butter and honey.
Carolyn’s full portfolio can be found here and her Grafton Road studio is available to view here.
Still curious about the photography industry? Read our article that goes behind the scenes exploring How a Shoot Day Works.
Take a look at our piece exploring Why to Choose a Studio Space for Your Next Shoot to discover the benefits of a blank canvas space.
Or read our Q&A with Photographer and Stroud House Owner Ali Allen for a little more insight into the creative world of photography.
As always, our full range of locations is waiting to be discovered on the Find a Location page.
Written By
