Simon & I did a portrait of each other we reflected on the journey we went on together from meeting to both getting on stage to share our stories
Meeting & the spark of connection
We first met at a Happy Startup School Masterclass at Platf9rm in Brighton at the end of 2023. I was launching my offering of creating portraits in six colours. Simon shared his profession as a photographer capturing life authentically. Our worlds collided connecting over creating art that reveals true essence
From connecting to collaboration
After first meeting our paths went in our own directions then we met again at Summercamp in September 2024. We picked up where we left off sharing our perspective on art and our creative journeys. One week later Simon reached out with an idea. “Why don’t we do a collaboration?” Simon taking photos of me and me creating a portrait of Simon. No grand plan other than an exchange of art
The year before reuniting at Summercamp
Over the year before Summercamp I kept seeing Simon’s work on Instagram I was drawn towards his raw creativity and themes around being yourself & authentic
The collaboration wasn’t on my mind but I resonated with Simon’s approach capturing the true essence of something
The collaboration day → October 4th 2024
On October 4th 2024 Simon came over to my flat. I started the portrait by drawing an outline of Simon then we went for a walk Simon captured photos of me playing with his collection of cameras
It was less formal and more about getting beneath the surface and capturing each others in a natural unposed way
The portrait process
I was creating Simon’s portrait and hearing Simon’s story simultaneously. Simon shared what photography means to him and his passion for the craft. I wasn’t only listening I was also feeling what he was saying. Those feelings translated onto the canvas in each brushstroke. Brushstrokes were light heavy fast slow. The portrait wasn’t just capturing the look it was also a representation of the emotions we were both feeling in the moment
Simon on capturing photos
For Simon capturing my portrait was a free flowing process with no pressure to get the perfect shot. It was about being in the moment experimenting with what felt right. Simon had no idea what the photos would look like until they were developed. Keeping the capturing purely in the moment
Being seen and heard authentically
I’ve been looking for someone to take photos of me that I can use for my business. I wanted to have someone capture me doing the work. Simon didn’t just take photos he saw me in a way that was natural and real
Capturing naturally
We both have a natural approach to capturing people. Simon blends into the background documenting life in an authentic unobtrusive way
For me creating a portrait is about getting to know the person listening to their story and feeling the energy of who they are
Our processes became a dialogue between us a creative exchange that reflected one another back to each other
Shared creative journey
With art you often see the work but don’t always get a chance to meet the artist behind the work
That was a cool aspect of our collaboration experiencing each others creative process in the moment flourishing our friendship through creating the work
Full circle moment & exchanging portraits
We both got on stage and gave talks sharing our stories supporting each share those talks
I was already booked in to give a talk at Sound Affects but doing Simon’s portrait in the build up grounded the talk that I gave. We exchanged the portraits we created of each other live during the talk
One week later Simon gave a talk at Woodzy & Friends
Summary
This collaboration has been more than just an exchange of art. It’s been a gentle organic process that has helped both of us grow pushing past the fear of public speaking moving closer to being more ‘ourselves’
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a story about creating connection through creating art giving our creativity a voice
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Learn more about Simon Edwards → Instagram
