Robert Harper

I am delighted to be able to share with you a chat I had with a great photographer, Robert Harper.

Harper has worked for very important brands such as Gucci, Nike, Guess and also world-class magazines such as Vogue or when he collaborated with Firth for ELLE Magazine.

• How long have you had a passion for photography? I fell in love with photography when I was 21, which was when I first picked up a camera.

• Which photographers or artists have most influenced your photography?

That’s hard to say as over the years I’ve loved many different artists. I love the classics such as Penn and Kertesz, to more recent photographers such as Saul Leiter and Harry Gruyaert.

• Do you prefer staged photography or more ”improvised” photography?

Definitely more improvised, I find it hard to stage anything. I prefer to allow myself to experience the moment and let it happen of its own accord and try to capture that.

• What do you want to communicate through photography ?

Mostly art. I want images that I would be proud to hang on my own wall on 30 years because they haven’t aged.

• What is the most fun project you have ever been involved in?

Probably when I was assisting. I was working on the Royal Opera House Campaign ‘The World Stage’ and we traveled to some of the most incredible locations for it. Places I would never have gone to if it wasn’t for the work. I’ll never forget those.

• What was it like working with Colin for Elle magazine? Do you have particular memories of that shoot?

It was lovely! The biggest memory I have of that is how down to earth and funny he was. Extremely easy going and no ego whatsoever.

• Would you work with Firth again if you had the opportunity? Is he an artist whois comfortable during shooting and inspires you?

Absolutely, I wouldn’t think twice about it, he was extremely easy to work with.

• What do you recommend to people starting to approach this virtual art?

I would recommend that you work to find your style in photography, knowing who you are is very important. Because if you don’t know yourself others definitely won’t.