A Small Voice: Conversations With Photographers

248 - Ian Howorth

Jan 15, 2025

Ian Howorth, a documentary photographer from Brighton, UK, delves into his creative journey, touching on themes of identity and culture. He shares his transition from videography to photography and the balance between freelance work and a full-time job, which allows him creative independence. Howorth recounts his early fascination with film and the contrasting experiences of his travels in Peru and Cuba. He discusses his latest book, A Country Kind of Silence, and the influence his adventurous father had on his life and artistic vision.

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ADVICE

Prioritise Work That Feels True

Strive to spend as much of your time as possible without compromising on the work you want to do.
Align your life and surroundings so you minimise energy spent doing things you resent.

ANECDOTE

A Stable Job That Enabled Creativity

Ian worked eight years at MPB which provided respect, flexibility and support for his photography.
The role paid the rent while allowing him to pursue personal projects without freelance stress.

ADVICE

Use Content Work To Experiment

Use a content role to test ideas and push creative boundaries within briefs.
Pitch experimental projects that showcase photographic techniques to build your voice and audience.

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Ian Howorth is a documentary photographer based in Brighton, UK. His work deals with themes of identity and culture. Through Setanta Books, Ian sold out his first book, Arcadia, in 2019 and published his second, A Country Kind of Silence, in 2023. Ian’s work has been featured in publications including The Guardian, The New York Times, It’s Nice That and Huck.

In episode 248, Ian discusses, among other things:

Striving to spend as much time as possible not compromising
The benefits of having a full-time job
His Instagram strategy
His previous life as a videographer
An early fascination for film stock
Influence of cinema
The contrast between his trips to Peru and Cuba
His first book Arcadia
His origin story in which he lived in 9 homes across 3 countries
His adventurous dad’s influence on him (and his brothers)
Having to adapt to a move from Peru to Miami at 12
His relationship with England and the things he is drawn to photograph there
Combining documentary with fiction and not wanting to feel constricted
His second book A A Country Kind of Silence

Referenced:

Zed Nelson
Phil Toledano
Robbie Lawrence
Max Miechoswski
Stephen Shore
William Eggleston
John Divola
Gregory Crewdson
Sean Tucker
Willam Verbeeck
National Film & Television School
Paris Texas
Tania Franco Klein
Bill Callaghan

Website | Instagram

“Wim Wenders and Robby Müller [In Paris Texas] happened to hit on something that made sense artistically but also looks beautiful aesthetically, and that for me is the perfect marriage. Not everyone can achieve it, but that to me became very important. I wasn’t doing that. I wasn’t smart enough to do that. But at the same time I knew the power of colour - I knew what it did, I understood my emotional response to it. And that was enough for me to pursue it at the time, and I would figure it out later.”

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