My name is Laura McKinnon, I am nineteen years old and I am from Scotland, UK. From a young age, I was always interested in the camera – though with the limitations of film, my parents were not exactly thrilled at my attempts to go through fifteen rolls of film every day at nine years old!
When I was fifteen I seriously considered pursuing a career in photography – I had always been science-orientated in my career aspirations, but after some health problems, I dropped out of school and decided to take things easy and take a taster course in creative crafts and photography. I continued to study up until I was eighteen (October last year) and I dropped out of college due to the sudden bereavement of my sister.
The next few months I spent with family and friends, so when it came around to January, I decided that I could no longer wait about and it was time to launch as a freelance photographer. The following month I found myself winning competitions, including one with national newspaper, The Telegraph and Canon UK, in which I won a place to shoot in the pit at London Fashion Week.
My work is largely fashion-based – I love clean cut beauty lighting. I prefer to light my subjects using strobes, be it on location or in studio and keeping it simple. I am not a great believer in simply picking up the camera and going for a walk – I always feel that everything must be meticulously planned out and it is not all down to me – a good, steady comprehensive team of creative people is absolutely essential – be it stylists through to make-up artists. I particularly love bringing colour into my work – it can evoke totally different emotions, the same way that music might affect people.
I take a lot of inspiration from photographer PEROU – I particularly admire the way that he is able to portray fashion with aggression, rather than seduction. His photos are surreal in a way that echoes another favourite photographer, Christophe Huet’s work – though perhaps, maybe not quite as intense!
My biggest inspiration comes from two fantastic photography lecturers at college, the first being Mark Dunlop, who consistently helped me through any difficulties I had and encouraged me to keep trying when I felt like giving up and lecturer Jim Bamford, who, again, encouraged me to push boundaries and go the extra mile for that one photo.
If there is one thing this year has taught me, it is that I have no idea what is just around the corner. I have met some truly outstanding personalities this year and made some amazing friends through photography. For the time being, I’ll continue on and do my absolute best to improve as much as I can!
Links:
Website: www.lauramckinnon.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-McKinnon-Photography/143642135676666
Twitter: lj_mckinnon
Your work is gorgeous. While your methodology does not resonate with me and the type of work I do I appreciate your exacting nature. It works well for you and that is what matters. Killer lighting in many of your shots… knocks me out.
thank you so much! 🙂 your comment has made my day! I think everybody’s techniques vary, but I suppose that’s what sets our styles apart and makes us individual!
wow what a talent…
Thank you so much – that’s so kind of you to say!