lonely hour with ODR
Photographer: Scott Uzoho
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
Growing up in a small town where people are close-knit, knowing each other’s stories really inspires my work. I enjoy learning and understanding the person in front of the camera and prioritising this over the final shot. The authenticity that connects to each photo, a story, life experience, or even their day-to-day is almost like metadata — it’s what I believe gives an image its true power and what I find the most beautiful. You can see this in my work where you will most likely find the fashion elements almost falling off the body — uncovering the true story. Fashion is powerful, and it can help aid that story, but I like it to complement while never overpowering in my personal work.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
I shot expired film and Polaroids with my partner, actually. This almost random test, which I named ‘Love Yours’, became a staple in my work. From that, I always shoot instant film at every shoot. Something even rawer than the digitals, where the archives of these memories will hopefully last forever. These films, sometimes giving a behind-the-scenes element, really have an authentic feeling I enjoy. It’s instant, real, and simplistic. With the feeling that there is always going to be one unchangeable copy in the world.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Let’s talk about this shoot with Oliver Reilly. After a six-year hiatus, spending most of my time creating still-life, Oliver brought some of the most amazing energy to one of my first editorial shoots since being back. Linking to the stories, people’s lives, and their passions, this is what I was missing when taking such a long break. I went into this shoot truly without a rigid plan. Something I’m glad for and will always keep in mind. Oliver oozed passion and inspiration for what he does, making me grateful to be back and creating a shoot to remember — I for sure will be watching his journey.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
Authenticity, not transforming or curating an image to where it becomes untruthful. There are tons of artists in this world, and with this goal, we are able, together, to create work that has a lasting impression.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
To keep focus on ‘for the love of it’. Nothing else. I believe when art becomes work, lines become blurry and you can forget where the dream was meant to take you. I work in both portrait editorials and still-life now, so there’s a lot of creativity that can become overwhelming. However, I do strive to leave a mark one day, tell a story so deeply with an image where the interpretation is so vastly unique it can connect to so many untold ones.
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Photographer: Scott Uzoho
Model: Oliver Dillon Reilly
Agency: Colours Agency
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Calvin Klein
Weekday
Uniqlo