Jo Morley Interview: My style is very natural: natural light and natural scenery. I tend to lean towards warmer tones, I feel this gives happier vibes.

Swanky Magazine Interviews the wonderfully talented photographer - Jo Morley

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT | Jo Morley from Bolton, Greater Manchester, U.K

Q1.Swanky Mag: Hello Jo, Can you introduce yourself to Swanky Magazine's readers? Can you tell us a little about you?

Hello! I am Jo Morley, I’m a 22-year-old professional photographer. I love many genres of photography, however, fashion photography is what I’m most passionate about.

Q2. How, and when did you get into photography?

I got into photography when I was around 14 years old, actually because of my dad. My dad has done photography as a hobby for as long as I can remember and he has helped so much through learning about photography. Around the time I was starting to get into photography in high school, it was time to choose my GCSEs, and I thought photography would be an easy class but, it wasn’t easy, at all! Through doing photography at school is where I found my passion for photography, it set me on my path to being where I am now.

Q3.What does photography mean to you?

Photography is a way of seeing things. I could look at a photograph, see and feel one way, whereas you could look at the same photograph and see and feel it completely differently. I love how it is subjective to the viewer.

Q4.Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers?

My style is very natural: natural light and natural scenery. I tend to lean towards warmer tones, I feel this gives happier vibes. I also love using a large aperture to get a narrow depth of field, I just love when you get it just right and the background is creamy and full of bokeh but your subject is crystal clear and you can see every detail.

Q5.Where do you get your inspiration from?

My biggest inspiration has been and most likely always will be Jessica Kobeissi. She uses large apertures, warm tones and she takes photos from the most creative angles but makes it look SO good!

Q6. Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

This is something I’ve always struggled with, in school, college, and university they taught you to ALWAYS think about what you are photographing and why. But, I’ve found collaborating with a model, choosing a location, and just going with your gut on the day always seems to work better for me. I’m not stressing about what is in the photo, we are just going with the flow and for me, it’s more enjoyable.

Q7. Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

A bit of both, I have just graduated from university so I’m in the process of starting my own business. This is where I’m a bit of both, my family photography is where I’m a paid professional. My fashion photography is where I’m a hobbyist, however, I do hope to get a career as a photographer in the fashion industry, in the future.

Q8. What has been your most memorable session, and why?

I would definitely have to say a beach shoot I did in July 2020 with Caitlin May Cowan and Savanna Cowan at Crosby beach. We got there around 5 am to catch the morning golden hour. Everything was going great until we got closer to the water, we decided to get some in the water shots. We put our bags behind us and went into the water but quickly realised the tide was coming in. The water started to go around us and then cut off at the back of us so we were circled by water. We had to get back onto the main bit of sand quickly before the tide got any closer. The sand started to get softer and we were sinking in the sand every step we took, and to top it off there was jellyfish! EVERYWHERE! Caitlin ended up losing a shoe in the sand, but thankfully we all got out okay! It was one of the most scariest experiences, safe to say I’ll be avoiding the sea from now on! Haha!

Q9. Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Canon! All day every day! My favourite lens would have to be my 24-70mm for full body shots but for close-ups definitely my nifty fifty!

Q10. According to you, what is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

It would definitely be, you should get to know your camera, learn how to shoot in manual, you can control your photos so much more!

Q11. What do you think of our new magazine?

I think it’s great! I love looking at all the amazing images! It’s so creative!

Follow Jo’s Journey here:
facebook.com/JoMorleyPhotography
instagram.com/jomorleyphotography
jomorleyphotography.co.uk