Today's Feature Friday is on 2005 graduate Jo Duck, who we sat down and had a chat with.
Jo was also featured in C41 Magazine back in February for her work with the Hula Hoops Guiness World Record Holder
Hey Jo, what got you started in photography?
A good friend of mine was using the darkroom at his highschool and I thought it was complete magic. My highschool didn't offer photography so I just picked up a camera and started shooting film. I learned a lot from making many mistakes.
Why did you decide to study at PSC?
I went to the Open Day at PSC while I was in highschool and just knew it was the right fit. I had looked at other colleges which offered photography, but I found the specialised course, the people and the feeling at PSC suited me best. I had no regrets and enjoyed my three years studying at PSC.
When did you graduate and what did you focus on?
I graduated in 2005. I majored in commercial photography but I enjoyed approaching commercial photography from a more conceptual direction. I have never been interested in shooting a product to sell a product - I enjoyed the conceptualising and decided to create narratives for all my commercial work. This meant a lot of pre-production and research, but that was the part which made my work more rich and interesting to produce.
How did PSC help get you where you are today?
I learned a lot of technical skills which helped me to get started in the industry. I loved learning about studio lighting and still love experimenting in the studio using my initial education.
PSC has a great sense of community and I had a great network of tutors and friends who are still a big part of my personal and professional life.
I also learned to really nurture an idea, to delve deeper and ask why I'm creating the work I'm creating and what I'm trying to say with it. These were definitely essential building blocks to becoming a photographer.
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently balancing commercial work with personal work and collaborations. I love collaborating with Marawa (the guinesss world record holding hooper!), we've been shooting together all over the world for about ten years. I've also really enjoyed collaborating with incredible UK culinary genius' Bompas + Parr.
I'm shooting editorial fashion as much as I can, working on an exhibition when there's time and collaborating with art directors in Europe to produce a really weird and exciting body of work.
Who and/or what inspires you?
I love watching films for inspiration and also listening to podcasts, looking at other photographers work and hearing people's stories.
I get a lot of inspiration from David Lynch's work, I love the photographer Weegee and also think there a lot of brilliant photographers working in fashion right now.
How would you describe your style
Polished with raw edges.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far
I've met a lot of fascinating people through my work and travelled to places I probably wouldn't have visited if I hadn't pursued photography.
I love collaboration and have worked with people with truly brilliant brains who work with me to push a project and make some unique work. I really love that each new job / idea is a challenge and that no two days are the same.
Oh wow, where have you
shot?
London, Paris, New York, LA, Croatia, and Istanbul, as well as weirder, smaller towns in between!
What advice would you give to current PSC students or people thinking of enrolling at PSC
My experience with education is you get out what you put in. If you immerse yourself in all aspects of photography while you're studying, it will help you to make an educated decision about which direction to take your career in.
Your time at university gives you access to great equipment and great helpful people who have a wealth of experience. Ask questions!