CameraPixo magazine feature - BRIANGRECH

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Photographer

Brian Grech briangrech.com briangrech.blogspot.com

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Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

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Brian Grech

Brian Grech

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briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

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All my photography is carefully constructed

Brian 20

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Can you tell us how your adventure with photography began?

My father was a keen amateur photography taking pictures with his SLR film camera (he still is and has more digital photos on his laptop than I do!). Since I was 7, I was always exposed to the medium of photography however I never had a particular interest as such. However I was more inclined to art and design and I won several awards in art at a young age. As I proceeded with my studies I focused more on graphic design, and it was likely then that I realized that my designs had to focus around photography. I naturally took more interest in this medium and eventually bought my first digital camera in London - an expensive 2 megapixel Sony Cybershot. At the time is was breakthrough technology - my friends thought I was crazy spending so much money on a digital camera. From then on there was no turning back! At the time I was at university studying Communications and Psychology and photography was a hobby.

My friends insisted that I should do this professionally but at the time I didn’t consider this option to be a realistic one. Since models weren’t available, I used to experiment taking pictures of some of my friends as well as self portraits. I always thought postproduction and retouching was important - and these photos were a good base for my experimentation.

After quitting university I worked with an international company as Creative Director for a while, however after leaving the job I decided to work freelance and it was then that I focused more on photography. I don’t recall my first fashion shoot, however I was taking pictures of many local television personalities as well as a few fashion advertising campaigns.

At the time I was recognized as ‘Fashion Photographer of the Year’. From then on I took photography more seriously and it become a main part of my career. I won best fashion photographer of the year for a total of 3 times. I still find a balance between design and photography and it is difficult for me to

separate the two - especially in the print/web media I find that design and photography go together hand in hand.

Where do you find the passion to go out with your camera and take photographs?

All my photography is carefully constructed.

Nothing is random. Most of my work is ‘studio’ work or setups in different locations so generally I just don’t go out to shoot without a plan. I only do that if there is an event or I’m inspired to take photos of a particular place/ city.

Can you tell us how overcame the change from analogue to digital photography? Do you notice any difference?

I was exposed to analogue SLR cameras however I entered the world of photography when I bought my first digital camera. Nowadays I shoots everything in digital but I do appreciate analogue photography also - I think its has a different feel of it’s own.

How do you get ready for a photograph?

In most cases when I am in control of the photoshoot, I plan the shots ahead - not necessarily the exact poses and setups, but the props and feel of that particular shot.

Together with my college and art director Stephen Azzopardi we brainstorm ideas and come up with concept for shoots. On the actual shoot there is always a thing or two that is changed, sometimes more depending on how things fall in place - mostly model, hair, make-up and location/props.

How important is post-production in your work as a Fashion photographer?

When I started doing fashion photography, I was one of the very first doing extensive post production and retouching on images.

I considered this vital to the work - making

people look more beautiful, fine tuning colour and lights. To me post production is the second step to a photo. The actual photo is like a starting point, it’s the postproduction that makes all the different and enhanced the desired mood and feel of the shot. However today I do less retouching than I used to keeping faces a bit more natural.

Like anything else throughout my career my style has evolved and I’m always looking into new techniques in both the actual photography and post production. Some shots are more surreal and therefore require extensive post production - the photo is just the starting point - the end result is far close to anything real.

What do you find most enjoying in taking photographs?

I enjoy photographing people. Persons in setups. To me photography is not solely about taking a shot of what is in front of you but in creating something special that has a story.

Therefore I find the idea of creating a ‘picture’ the most intriguing part. I see photography as a form of art where the camera is one of the tools used to created ‘works of art’.

Looking back at your career, which do you think was the decisive moment that this will be your way of life?

The turning point in my career was when a friend of mine in London gave me a Mario Testino ‘Portraits’ book that truly inspired me. Of course there are other international photographers that I admire to this day.

Do you know any Polish photographers? If so, what are some similarities and differences you notice between them and photographers from your country?

More than the photography itself, I tend to notice heavier use of makeup in Malta, especially compared to the UK and other Nordic

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

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Brian Grech

countries - this is changing slowly but in fashion photography in Malta, it appears to me to be a common trait.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting their career as a photographer? What should they pay attention to?

In my opinion it is very important to pay attention to detail - the small things make all the difference.

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

I get my inspiration from anything around me, including fashion itself, art, travel, history as well as old books.

Brian Grech

It is important to find your own style and not try and be a copy of another photographer.

There are times when your style overlaps others naturally but trying to copy is not a good way to do it. It is important to get inspiration and see what others are doing, as well as experiment with cameras, lenses, subjects etc and see where you’re going.

And as much as it might sound like a cliché... practice makes perfect. Through experience I have improved and changed a lot.

Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

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Brian Grech

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Brian Grech

Brian Grech

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briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

22

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

23

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Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

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Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Š

Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

25

Brian Grech

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Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

26

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

27

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Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

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Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Š

Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

29

Brian Grech

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Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

30

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

31

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Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

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Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Š

Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

33

Brian Grech

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Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

34

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

35

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Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

36

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Š

Brian Grech

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

37

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com

38

Independent Creative Photography Magazine

Brian Grech

Š

Brian Grech

Brian Grech

Š

briangrech.com . briangrech.blogspot.com We are on Facebook.com/photopixo

Inspiration. Business. Marketing. Knowladge

39