Briksdal Photography

Most of my work goes into exhibitions and galleries.  We have a large converted barn that serves as both studio and art gallery and we hold several exhibitions each year.  I also publish books, both in print and as e-books - search Kindle books for "Body" for an example.

My style is eclectic, influenced by time and place more than fashions and styles.
My artistic influences include Rothko, Don Henderson, Callum Innes, Turner and the impressionists, and I enjoy modern art as a genre, even though most of it I wouldn’t want to live with.  

Photographic influences are somewhat more difficult to rationalise: Bob Carlos Clarke, Ansel Adams, Helmut Newton, Cartier Bresson, Trevor Watson,  Man Ray and many others.  I have spent relatively little of my career taking photographs of people, and this is an area of photography I am keen to develop.

For me, photography is a source of pleasure, not income, and I don't do weddings, children, pets or family portraits.  I have done some commercial work with bands, dance companies and actors, mainly where there is a personal connection.

I find that my "style" varies depending on the model I'm working with, so is difficult for me, and others to pin down!  I'm currently exploring shallow depth of field, bokeh, and a degree of abstraction.  Although I've enjoyed doing some nude images this year, I have concluded that this is more creatively limiting than I imagined, and will be looking for partial and implied type images for next season.  My studio allows the use of both natural light, flash, fixed lights, and has its own bathroom which is useful for costume changes, makeup repairs, and even shower shots!

What I'm looking for in a model:
The first requirement is communication - I understand that a no-reply is the same as "I'm not interested" but I do find it quite discourteous, and will probably never contact you again if you don't reply.
Interest and enthusiasm - I see my role as working with my model, creating images together.  I don't arrive with a script, just ideas and I'm happy to explore yours as well as, or instead of mine.
Interesting people - I'm probably more interested in people outside the norm of body shape, age, gender - I also like pretty young girls, but there are plenty of pictures of them in the world, and I want to celebrate beauty in all its forms, not just a narrow idealised image of the human form that is unrealistic and to me relatively uninteresting. 

Beyond that I don't have many hangups!  

I mainly work TFP but happy to discuss anything.

Communication, communication and communication...  I really hate "no-reply"!