Freck Files: The Lens Through Which I See the World

Freck Files: The Lens Through Which I See the World

‘I have a huge appreciation for women and want them to feel empowered after being behind my lens.‘

– Why are you called Freck Files?

If someone was to pick me out of a crowd of Mollie’s they’d guess-who me as “the one with the freckles…the photographer”. It simply came to me one day while I was sitting having a photoshop-binge on my sofa and it just stuck ever since.

-Your work with big brands must have been incredibly rewarding. What’s a project or campaign you’re particularly proud of, and why?

I recently shot a campaign for Office x New Balance which was huge for me as NB is a brand that has been on my manifest board for a long time…that was pretty cool. But the proudest I have felt from a shoot is definitely a Breast Cancer UK Charity collaboration with Serena Days London, which featured a team of strong, beautiful, resilient women (including my Mumma) who had all battled cancer and shared their own stories in a mini-docu series. I have such respect for women who can share their vulnerability so openly for the sake of spreading awareness.

– In your opinion, how has working with established brands influenced your growth as an artist?

Working within an environment of other creatives is truly such a blessing and not something to be taken for granted. Established brands tend to have a bigger team on board, and you spend longer days together (I’m talking sometimes 12 hour, 3 day shoots)…You spend a huge amount of time chatting and bouncing ideas back and forth each other, so I always leave feeling like my creative cup has been filled to the brim and wanting to do more personal projects which is where a huge amount of my growth has come from.

– What’s been the most challenging shoot you’ve done so far, and how did you overcome the obstacles?

Ohhh…I have a few stories! One that sticks out was a night shoot that took place from 11pm-4am…in October. We were all freezing and delusional but I knew if I didn’t keep the mood up it would go downhill and show in the shots. I practically raided Tesco snack aisle and drained every funny cell of my personality that night but it turned out such a good shoot and we ended on a high vibe. Hopefully the first and last time I will be eating Wotsits for breakfast at 4am.

– Has there been any part of your journey so far that made you give it all away and do something else? Can you share how and why you persevered?

I definitely think being self-employed and running your own business is something that’s overly glamorised… Before I went self-employed in 2021, I really did love the routine and structure of working a 9-5, and my overall mental health is definitely more suited to this way of working.

I’ve tried everything and honestly, I think it’s near impossible to find a work life balance when freelancing in this industry. You are expected to cater to all of your clients and their clashing schedules and lets not even mention the admin/accounts/social constant blah blah blah on repeat in the back of your mind 24/7.

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t considered throwing the towel in once or twice after an unfortunate week of 14 hour days, but I snap out of it pretty soon when I realise I am literally living my 15 year old dream and I get to do what I love every day.

– Can you describe your ideal shoot? The setup, the location, the subject, etc?

I absolutely love working in a studio. I’m a control freak so I love the fact I can bring ideas from my brain to my own image, exactly how I envisioned it. Set up wise…I’m not super techy if I’m totally honest. I’m much more of a “let’s shoot and see” – so a shoot environment that isn’t rushed or pressured is my idea of heaven. I’ll always experiment with lighting techniques, using colour gels and wonky-angled modifiers to see what accidents might turn into magic. My ideal subject would be a single model – simply because I love the bond that forms when it’s one on one… it feels so much more personal and tailored to that individual.

– How much of your personality do you think is visible in your work and how do you feel about that?

I really hope my personality shows. I’m messy, bold, loud…not a wallflower. I’m not minimal and I’m not technical. I have a huge appreciation for women and want them to feel empowered after being behind my lens. It’s an awkward thing for a lot of people… you know? My aim in life is to be so completely myself that everyone around me can be themselves. We’re all a little weird and messed up, and I love that 🙂

-Last but not least, do you think the glass is half full, half empty, or just twice as big as needed?

The glass is overflowing – it has to be for you to pour into others.

ManicWorld Magazine

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