Lorraine Calvey | Interview
“Shoot what makes you happy and what you are drawn to – do it for you. ”
London's vibrant streets are the canvas for Lorraine Cavey's captivating photography. With a deep fascination for people and their movements, she masterfully captures candid moments, revealing the hidden poetry in everyday life.
Her unique style is defined by her bold use of colour, which she believes adds depth and dimension to her storytelling. For Lorraine, light is a powerful tool that can transform a mundane scene into a living, breathing story, adding depth and a touch of mystery.
Inspired by photographers like Helen Levitt and Vivian Maier, Lorraine's work is a testament to the beauty found in the bustling urban landscape.
© Lorraine Calvey
ND: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit more about yourself?
LC: I’m a London-based photographer who enjoys getting out onto the streets of the bustling capital, capturing everyday scenes and events.
ND: What inspires you in your daily photography work? Can you tell us more about your style, and what you wish to capture and share?
LC: I’m fascinated by people, their behaviour, their interactions and their movements. I want to capture these elements through photography, so they combine to tell a story of a fleeting moment, but a story beyond just the ordinary. Light also plays an important role. I like the way it can change the whole set-up, making something mundane come alive and adding depth and, at times, an air of mystery.
© Lorraine Calvey
© Lorraine Calvey
ND: Could you share some insights into your creative process? Are you more of a colour, black and white, or using both photographer? Are you a hunter or a fisherman?
LC: I’m definitely a colour photographer. I’ve only dabbled with black & white in editing to see what an image looks like, but I always revert back to colour. For me, colour provides a certain depth and dimension and adds to the storytelling.
I’m both a hunter and a fisherwoman – and an opportunist. At the start of the day, when energy is high, I tend to move around on the lookout for potential shots. If I find a good background or something that interests me, I’ll hang around more and set up fishing shots. I need to learn more patience though.
ND: Was there a particular moment that shaped your photographic journey that you would like to share? If not, any fun memory?
LC: Before knowing it was street photography, I used to snap candid shots of people passing me in the street or sitting in cafes. I didn’t think anything of it until friends who were with me said that I must have an eye for it, as they hadn’t even noticed the people, and even when they stood next to me to get the same shot, it came out different.
I started joining street photography groups, shooting in different areas in London, and that’s when it all clicked into place.
ND: How do you see your photography evolving in the future? Do you have any news/activity or goal you’d like to share here?
LC: I’d like to start evolving the storytelling aspect more, moving on from single images to developing a series or sets that tell their own story. I’d also like some meaning attached to the images, which is where I think a series would help as well.
ND: Are there any photographers you like and look up to (past and current)? How are they inspiring you?
LC: Beyond any shadow of doubt, I owe a lot of my interest and skills in street photography to Polly Rusyn. It was through her meetup groups and then her Weekenders that I fell in love with street photography and met many fellow photographers along the way who have also inspired me, and who I learn a lot from.
I love the work of Helen Levitt and Vivian Maier, the capturing of local communities and neighbourhoods. And being a self-confessed Francophile, I must also pay homage to Henri Cartier-Bresson.
© Lorraine Calvey
© Lorraine Calvey
© Lorraine Calvey
ND: Any advice for others fellow photographers?
LC: Shoot what makes you happy and what you are drawn to – do it for you. At the start, I used to look at my images and quickly discount them, as I would fear others wouldn’t think much of them, but now, if I like them, then I’m happy.
© Lorraine Calvey
ND: How did you find UPC? How can you describe your experience with the community so far?
LC: I’m so happy I came across UPC and joined in the social events. It’s so good to meet up with people who share the same interest, and I get to learn from others, seeing environments through their eyes with different styles and ideas. And when I am out shooting at weekends, I often spot a fellow UPC member also out on the streets.
JLH: What's one of the most memorable images you've captured on film, and what's the story behind it?
© Lorraine Calvey
© Lorraine Calvey
© Lorraine Calvey