Creative Fox – One Frame At A Time

In this editorial, we speak with Steve Fox, the photographer behind Creative Fox, about his personal and professional journey.

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Excited for the future, he embraces the endless possibilities that photography offers, capturing the beauty of life one frame at a time.

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In the town of Loughton, Essex, Steve Fox, a dedicated hobby photographer, represents the evolution of passion through photography. His journey began at children’s birthday parties, where he quickly realised that his compact camera couldn’t capture the energetic movements of the kids. This frustration led him to purchase his first DSLR, marking a significant turning point in his photography journey.

Starting with auto mode, he gradually learned about exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, becoming the go-to photographer for parties. A pivotal moment occurred when he assisted a friend, a carnival clothing designer, with a photoshoot. Nervous yet excited, this first paid assignment ignited his interest in portrait photography.

Skills

To improve his skills, Steve studied and learned from talented photographers online and began reaching out to potential models on Facebook. His collaboration with Maria Valentina in his home studio helped him grow in both skill and confidence. “Working with different people has not only improved my photography but has also helped me grow personally,” he reflects.

Today, Steve continues to experiment with various styles, with each photo shoot telling a unique story. His journey from a shy hobbyist to a confident photographer showcases the power of following one’s passion. Excited for the future, he embraces the endless possibilities that photography offers, capturing the beauty of life one frame at a time.

From Birthday Parties to Professional Shoots  

What was the most challenging aspect of transitioning from capturing children’s birthday parties for friends to taking on paid photography assignments?  

One of the main challenges is the mindset shift. When you’re photographing a party where you know everyone, the atmosphere is quite relaxed. However, when dealing with clients you may not know well—or at all—there’s an added pressure to meet their expectations since they are paying for your services. My first couple of paid shoots were for friends of my sister, which helped me get accustomed to working with new people while still having some connection. One was for a grandmother’s special birthday party, and another was for a christening.

Creative Fox – Learning Curve 

You mentioned starting with auto mode on your DSLR. What specific moment or lesson pushed you to delve deeper into the technical aspects of photography? 

A pivotal moment for me was a conversation with a colleague at work who had previously owned a photography business, specialising in photographing models. We discussed DSLR cameras and the equipment he used to get his shots. He explained the basics of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture, emphasising how a combination of these settings can affect the final image. This conversation sparked my interest in flash photography, where I could control the lighting to “create” an image rather than just capture one.

The Carnival Shoot  

Can you share more about your assignment with your friend, the carnival clothing designer, who inspired you to pursue portrait and creative photography? What emotions did you experience during that shoot?  

This experience, which occurred about two and a half years ago, reignited my passion for photography following the COVID lockdowns. Marion, the clothing designer, had created outfits for the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival and needed someone to photograph the models wearing them. I knew Marion from a local Facebook group and had taken family photos for her in the past, so she reached out to me for help.  

Working with models was entirely new to me, so I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I remember struggling to sleep the night before due to my anxiety about the shoot. Fortunately, it went well, and we captured some great shots that are now featured on Marion’s Instagram page (@thunder_mas). After this shoot, I began researching flash photography, equipment, and various lighting techniques, which I gradually applied in my current work.

Creative Fox – Collaborative Growth  

How did your collaboration with Maria Valentina shape your approach to portrait photography, and what specific techniques did you adopt from that experience? 

Building on what I had learned about flash photography, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and seek out individuals I didn’t know who were interested in having their photos taken. I found several photographer and model pages on Facebook and reached out to potential subjects. Maria was the first model I arranged a shoot with.  

As I browsed through her Instagram profile, I noted that she had worked with well-known brands like L’Oréal and Nokia, which made me nervous since I was starting out with a small home studio. When I picked her up from the local tube station and saw her from a distance, I was struck by the reality of working with an established model. 

Treat everyone you meet and photograph with respect. Ensuring they feel comfortable and at ease will result in far better shots. – Steve Fox

Creative Fox – Lighting Technique

Once we arrived at the studio, which I had already set up for a portrait shoot, we began working together. I quickly realised that the lighting setups I had seen for portrait shoots weren’t necessarily flattering for women. My initial approach involved placing lights off to the side, creating shadows on the face, along with additional lights for hair and background lighting. However, Maria showed me that a more centralised lighting setup is often better for showcasing the face and makeup in portraits. After making a few adjustments, we successfully completed the portrait shots.  

Now, I use this lighting technique for portraits, varying it afterwards to create different styles of shot.

Personal Transformation  

You’ve mentioned that your work with different people has contributed to your personal growth. Can you elaborate on how photography has impacted your confidence and social interactions? 

Challenging myself to reach out to and work with various models has significantly boosted my confidence. I have always been a somewhat shy person, and taking on this challenge has forced me to overcome some of these insecurities.

Creative Fox – Artistic Evolution 

With so many styles to explore, how do you decide on the direction for your next photo shoot? Is there a particular theme or story that you find appealing?

My primary focus is portrait photography. Capturing emotion through the model’s eyes is essential to me. I also enjoy creating dramatic images by using lighting to create shadows, rather than simply flooding an image with light. I maintain a mood board filled with various ideas I come across while browsing online, or ideas sent to me from the models themselves. I always prefer to ask the model which looks they’d like to try, allowing them to experiment with something they can cherish rather than just doing it for the sake of it.  

Online Learning  

You’ve learned a lot from talented photographers online. Who are some of your biggest influences, and what valuable lessons have they taught you?

Each of the following photographers has provided me with something beneficial—be it product information, lighting techniques, or ideas.

First off, we’ll start with:

Creative Fox – Influencers

– “Peter Coulson (Australian Photographer)”: He has a distinct style, but what I’ve found most valuable is his approach to interacting with models. His guidance on how to make models comfortable during a shoot is crucial; any discomfort will reflect in their expressions.  

– “Gavin Hoey (UK Photographer)”: He runs a small home studio (though he has more space than I do), which has been helpful in learning how to manage space limitations. Additionally, he offers great ideas for photo shoot themes.  

– “Yuliya Panchenko (Originally from Baku, now based in the US)”: She primarily focuses on boudoir photography. Her lighting techniques and posing methods have been incredibly beneficial, especially for models who are newer to photo shoots.  

While others have influenced my work, these three have made the most significant contributions to my learning.  

Capturing Movement  

Reflecting on your earlier frustrations with capturing energetic children, how do you now approach the challenge of movement in your photography?

Now that most of my shoots involve models, they tend to be a bit more manageable than shoots with kids at a party. If we aim to capture movement, flash can be incredibly useful, as it can freeze the action in a moment. I want to explore some alternative flash settings to create a blurry effect on the movement while still maintaining a sharp image of the main subject in the frame.  

Creative Fox – Future Aspirations  

As you look ahead, what new techniques or styles are you eager to experiment with, and what dreams do you have for your photography career?

I am excited to try movement shots using the flash and drag technique mentioned earlier, as well as multiflash techniques for multiple exposures in one shot to create abstract photos. Another technique I haven’t yet explored is “light painting,” where you use light to illuminate the subject while employing a very slow shutter speed. These methods are more experimental but intriguing.

As for my dreams, I simply hope to continue taking beautiful photographs that are worthy of magazines or suitable for printing as posters. I also look forward to meeting new people along the way. While photography is more of a hobby for me, my main profession is in lighting—albeit in a different field from photography.  

Creative Fox – Message to Aspiring Photographers  

What advice would you give to those just starting their photography journey, especially in overcoming initial hurdles and building confidence?

From a hobbyist’s perspective rather than a business one, I suggest first exploring the type of photography that interests you—be it landscapes, animals, products, or portraits. Look online for tutorials related to your chosen subject to understand how others create their shots.  

Don’t be intimidated by the equipment used by experienced photographers. Many have been honing their skills for years and have gradually built up their gear. Interestingly, my Canon camera is nearly ten years old, lacks eye tracking, and I use very basic flash heads. I primarily work with two prime lenses; you don’t need an extensive arsenal of expensive equipment. The key is to learn how lighting works and how to position it to achieve your desired look.  

Practice

Practice is essential. I started by photographing friends and family, then moved on to friends of friends, and eventually reached out to people I didn’t know. Over the past year, I’ve met diverse individuals with different looks they wanted to try out.  

I’ve learned to set up my shoots more efficiently, troubleshoot when things don’t go according to plan, and consistently capture images that resonate with people. If a shy person like me can achieve this, anyone can!  

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, treat everyone you meet and photograph with respect. Ensuring they feel comfortable and at ease will result in far better shots.

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