Interview: Photographer Rik Williams (Australia)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Having started out shooting film back in primary school on an old K1000, I still get the occasional anxious memory of hoping I have exposed correctly, but of course, with the advent of the digital age, things have now changed significantly.

After leaving high school, I signed on to learn more about the industry at Melbourne's AIPPC, but life and bills got in the way, so I diverted from photography for a while and started a trade in the building industry.

Twelve years back in 2005 I suffered a life-changing injury in a motorcycle accident, at which time I suddenly realised life is way too short and immediately decided it was time to resume my passion for photography.

I then signed on at the Photographic Studies College in Melbourne, where I learned new ways to appreciate art and gained my advanced diploma in digital photography.

I then went on to shoot for clothing/fashion designers and various catalogs, while also shooting portraits and model portfolios.

I love working with people and enjoy the challenge of developing ideas and concepts into reality, there is nothing else quite like it.

How and when did you get into photography?

I began as an event photographer in primary school

What does photography mean to you?

To me photography is a way of capturing a brief moment in time which can tell a story to others who were not there to see it. However, I also see it as t is also a powerful tool which can enable one to embelish the truth for better and sometimes for worse.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

My style is a little more cheeky and risque for most others taste, I often try to show a lot without revealing all, I do enjoy leaving a few things to the viewer's imagination

Where do you get inspiration from?

Most often from other artists both present and past, but I mostly like artists who are willing to take chances

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes, I preconceive most projects as I always enjoy having a common path with which the people I work.

Studio, on location or both?

Horses for courses, but I love both.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

Semi professional

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I can't give names, however, when I was leaving art college a few years back, I wanted to finish up on a high note for the final portfolio.

Long story short, I hired a very expensive hotel suite and involved a designer, stylist, MUA, and hair stylist, however, my model fibbed about her dress size and at the time I made the mistake of taking her word.

It turned out the model was two sizes bigger than the stats she text me. The best I could do on the day came from the only dress we could barely squeeze her into. It had a very stretchy outer mesh and we split at the liner then stuffed it with black garbage bags to conceal all exposed skin.

The shoot was cut short as it turned into a disaster, but when it came time to pay the model, she got very upset for not receiving the anticipated four-hour payment for the two-hour shoot it unexpectedly turned into.

Unfortunately, this model went on to manage a model agency in my city and I later found out she was badmouthing me to the local talent, telling them I was a "sloppy operator" and maybe I was back then. But now I insist on wardrobe fittings before every shoot, lesson learned and an expensive one at that too. Most memorable by far lol.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Nikon. 85mm f1.4

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

It's a jungle out there and a very competetive jungle at that. Make as many contacts as you can and work with as many creatives as possible.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like it a lot, very well done.

https://www.rikwilliamsphotography.com/