“It’s such a quickly changing landscape. Keeping yourself current is one of the hardest parts of being a photographer these days.”
Name: Simon Upton
Occupation: Photographer
Hometown: Avalon Beach NSW
Current location: Avalon Beach NSW
What do you do? Why do you do it?
I’ve been a photographer for nearly 25 years. I Love the creativity, the travel, the freedom. I definitely feel very fortunate to have been able to make a living from something I love doing that’s fun and has taken me all over the world.
Did you study anywhere or self taught?
I assisted several photographers in Amsterdam in the late 90’s, before spending the next 10 years travelling extensively through Europe and then onto New York where I lived for 6 years.
What’s your favourite camera and/or equipment to work with?
After spending years working with medium and large format film cameras prior to the digital age I now work mostly with a variety of canon cameras and Lenses.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Glen Luchford, Drew Jarret, Mario Sorrenti, I came from that era.
Who or what else inspires you?
Inspired by travel and the light I find at certain times of the year.
How did you manage during covid times? Did you create or reflect?
I moved to Byron Bay and based myself there for 6 months and was fortunate enough to keep pretty busy throughout the worst of it. I also started my new creative project Elbazin, a new digital space focussed on Australia’s creative industry and also showcases global artists’ work and stories.
How have you evolved over the years?
By keeping kind of true to my own style though at the same time being aware of changes happening around me. It’s such a quickly changing landscape. Keeping yourself current is one of the hardest parts of being a photographer these days.
What are you listening to atm?
Everything and anything. One day I could be listening to hip hop, the next techno, the next folk, my music preferences are very far and wide ranging but I do love RnB.
What websites do you frequent?
Travel mainly and surfing my other great love.
What tools or apps help you get your work done?
Capture one software. I’ve a full time retoucher who handles pretty much everything else for me and she’s a wiz!
Are you reading or watching anything right now?
World swimming championships.
Where are you travelling to next?
Arnhem land in a few weeks for a very special project. Italy in September then onto Saudi Arabia and onto the US in October.
What is your greatest achievement?
My kids, my family, our home and being able to give us a great life.
One thing you would like to achieve this year?
Pull off the type of imagery I see in my head that I’m able to capture in Arnhem land and form this hopefully an exhibition late 2022.
What advice would you share to others wanting to get into your profession?
Stay true to yourself and take any criticism you might get, especially when you begin your journey with a grain of salt as any kind of creative who throws there work out there you will get plenty of ups and downs, but staying true to developing your own style I think is something that was shared with me that I really took on board.