Pete Muller

After i left school i went on to study a further 6 years at various colleges at various levels. Firstly i went to a fairly local college South Downs in Havan, then Bournemouth Art college, then finally at Salisbury Art college. Progressivley picking up tips along the way and honing my talents and knowledge.

This would go back so far, it is hard to recall. it would probably have been a family picture whilst on holiday with my parents. i was always ken to be the one behind the camera

i am i am currently using canon equipment. bodies 1DX mark 2 and 5D mark 4. i use all L series lenses from a 16-35,mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm. the lighting depends on the subject matter, budget, location and al other factors you need to take into account on a shoot.

For me it is fairly simple, to enjoy my life and job. As my job takes up the majority of mine and most peoples life, i thought well, why don't i do something i love? So that is what i decided to do. In my career, my aspirations change and move as one goal is reached. i always wanted resepct from my peers and those in the industry; winning this award has gone along way to achieving that. I also wanted to do big budget shoots; i have achieved that.so i guess i now move the goal posts again. To have a happy, successful career, enjoying myslef along way and meeting some incredibly creative people. i guess that is my new goal , for this success to continue.

I was once told by a photographer that i assisted for 3.5 years, that i was his best assistant ever. I was sure there were others who were better than me and he was sometimes quite a tough person to please, so receiving such an accolade was very encouraging. It inspired me to carry on working as hard as i could.

So many thnigs. i can take inspiration form anywhere and everywhere. films, adverts, pictures, anything visual really, or even some music can inspire visuals.

dramatic, action, immersive

It is a massive achievment for me, to not only have so many images nominated, but to win the overall award is just huge for me. i still think it is not real and someone else won it. it is very inspiring, i want to enter so many other awards now, as i think this is one of the best forms of marketing these days. People seem to take note of award winners slo much more than just your folio. i am hoping for a great start to the new year.

i entered a number of different categories, commecial advertising, sports and portraits. i have been working a lot lately on some new personal work, as a personal shoot helped me secure a large commercial shoot this year. in fact, shots form the shoot are what i entered and what finally won . the images of the guys playing football are from a large shoot for William Hill. however, i wanted to continue with the lighting style, post production and the way i like to create a scene and characters to play in that scene. so i have come up with a number of series i am continuing to pursue., One is about people with tattoos. i am quite fascinated by the art work and like to create characters out of these people, then come up with a location that will compliment the ideas and art work. witht eh sports people, i am always looking for interesting people that can do great physical movements and then create a scenario around them and light it accordingly, to create a sense of drama. Lighting to a photogrpaher is their signature, it canmake or break a shot, without any control or appreciation of it, we may as well use our phones.

It is a little too early to tell for this award. however, i hope it works in the same way another award helped me this year. It got me a lot of attention and a large commission.

This is tough, as i go through my career inspirations change so massively, as with your styles. right now i would say Gregory Crewdson and Julia Fullerton Batten. i love their creation of characters and cineatic use of lighting and the scenes they create.

Tough to remember any pivotal moments, but i do always think about what my dad used to say when he looked at my shots. he simply said;" what are you trying to say in this shot?" so i try to think about that when setting up, what kind of character am i trying to create, are tehy in th eright setting, does it make sense and so on.

I think it has got a lot tougher these days and i have passed advice to a number of younger people, one whom i am mentoring now. it may soiund like it more about life than just photography, but this is such a tough business to start iin these days, i think it is very relevant, as photography can be such a personal business. So it is simply, "Be true to yourself." if you are not enjoying it, finding it too hard, or don't like your results, only you can change them. Happiness is far more important that perceived success.

I believe my greatest asset is determination, my desire to make this my career. i don't think i am the best photographer in the world, but i live to work. i have an unrivalled passion to be part of this business and i think this has carried me through any toough times i may have had, when you question yourself. Since the age of 13 i have never wanted to do anything else and i know i won't. Find your passion and never let anyone deter you. If you get criticism, as eevryone does, take note of it, and act upon how you see fit. You may not always like it, but it may be benefical.

I like to relax and let my mind be receptive to the world around me by keeping fit. The gym is my happy place and helps my mind wander, it is when i come up with my best ideas, thoughts and it helps mne get set up for the day, as i go early in the morning.

Dean Northcott
Nick Treviss
Grant Squibb

Julian Bajzert julian@bajzert.com
Nick Treviss nicktreviss@me.com
Frank Herholdt frank@frankherholdt.com

It has been a pleasure to answer these, you often learn a bit about yourself, as it really makes you think.