Leon Mark Interview
Leon Mark. Such a simple, yet effective name. I’m intrigued. This man, who has spent past months shooting 22 boys and probably spent a majority of that time in a darkroom. Okay, I’m totally joking. Everywhere I see the name Leon Mark it’s followed by “22 boys and a Darkroom”. Needless to say there is quite a bit of hype surrounding his recent shoot for Dazed & Confused Japan. The dude has spent quite the chunk of time shooting 22 other dudes. And not only does this photographer, graduate from Central Saint Martins, have the hype — he’s also got the talent to follow up. His work (which is mostly, if not all, film) is impressing audiences worldwide with his “polaroid” feeling photography and aesthetic. Leon Mark has been featured in i-D, Dazed & Confused, and Blackbook. I want to know more.
Trey Taylor: Can you please fill this out?
Name: Leon Mark
Age: Old enough
Occupation: Photographer
Currently Resides: London
Favourite Song: Crimson and Clover
Trey Taylor: Leon, you seem to be the up-and-comer these days. Or else I’m just behind the times and you up-and-came. Which is it?
Leon Mark: Ah Well I haven’t been shooting for too long so an up and comer.
TT: Well, there definitely is something to be said about your work. I know you’re trying for that timeless characteristic. How would you explain yourself and your photography style to somebody who has never heard of you?
LM: I try and create an atmosphere within my work, my work focuses a lot on youth and the feelings that emotions that come from this period of time, I try and keep it simple but as beautiful as I can
TT: Was it tough establishing yourself right out of school, or were people clambering to get you to work for them?
LM: Ah no, It takes a lot of emails and work to try and get your photographs seen when you first leave school.
TT: Would you have any advice for young photographers out there trying to make a name?
LM: Try and made a small body of work which best shows of your style, and to make sure you try and stick to the style of photography that suits you rather than changing it to fit in with different shoots, that way people can start to see your style develop.
LM: Within photography I have a thing for really muted old looking photographs, and beautiful locations. It’s hard being in London to take the type of photographs that I like as its so urban and I love more nature landscapes to use within my work. I think LA would be an amazing place to go and shoot so I hope to be able to do that soon.
TT: Your take on fashion photography is nothing I’ve seen much of lately. Do you use mostly natural light?
LM: Natural light best suits my style, But London doesn’t always have the best type of light so then you need to use lighting to get the same look, which can work just as well.
TT: Do you plan all your shoots or is it mostly on the fly?
LM: Location and models are always picked out first, and I have an overall idea of what I want, then I see on the day the models personality and how I’m feeling and take the shoot from there.
LM: I think its important to listen to criticism, and it’s good getting advice on your work, but I also think when I’m shooting fashion I don’t just want to make the image about the clothes, I want to make a photograph that the clothes are included in and not the main element of the image, as this to me makes a stronger photo, which in turn will also give the clothes a little personality
TT: What is a single coin phrase that looking back on life, would be one you can spend on us fans.
LM: to make sure what you are doing in life makes you happy, or what’s the point?
Thanks Leon! Your work is innovative, otherworldy, and unforgettable. We wait in anticipation for your ed in Dazed & Confused Japan.
