December 01, 2015
PHOTOGRAPHER INDIA HOBSON
India Hobson fell into photography because it was quicker than drawing. “I like the immediacy of it,” she says. “The alchemy and pointing at things that other people might overlook.” The UK photographer - who is based in the northern town of Sheffield - started out assisting a photographer before working her way up to shoot features for Kinfolk and T Magazine of the New York Times. “I can't remember when I realised how lucky I am to do what I love for a job but I do think it most days,” she says.
Which five words best describe you? Observant, sometimes impatient, sometimes incredibly patient, plant-loving, playful and flexible.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I have been self-employed for seven or eight years now and regularly think, “now I’m doing what I want”, but also that I’ve still got a long way to go. I spend time every now and again resetting my goals and reminding myself of what I want and in what direction to point myself.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To remember that no one will work as hard for me as I can, and to just keep my eyes on what I want to achieve - it can be easy to start chasing someone else’s dream and get distracted.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Honestly, this sounds like an obvious answer but just simply the fact that I can do what I do everyday and call it my job. Paying my rent and keeping food in my cupboards by doing something that I love is the most incredible feeling and I celebrate every little success.
Who inspires you? I work with some incredibly talented people, sometimes once and sometimes quite frequently - those people support me, provide focus and bring fun and variety to what I do. I don’t think there’s one individual that I could pick out; I’m inspired by my friends who have strong work ethics, who manage to be mothers/fathers as well as business owners and by wanting to bring more into my work and make the most of every opportunity.
I’m lucky that I have clients that trust me and like to really go for it when we’re producing something. For example, I work with a local bar - The Picture House - to create their cocktail menus and we have really run away with our ideas. There’s a window for newness and a chance to make something beautiful... so we do.
What are you passionate about? Colour plays a massive part in my work and is so fun to play with. I’m really particular about my colour palette and love to learn about tones - my Instagram is testament to that. I also collect houseplants and that finds its way into my work - I’m building a series of green-keepers at the moment.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I have a list of “dream clients” that I’m working my way towards, but really I think I’d just be happy to keep going, keep doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me.
What are you reading? I’m reading a book by Robert McFarlane at the moment called The Wild Places, which I was given for my birthday. It’s quite factual but poetically written and takes me to a really wild place. I like being outdoors and love gardens, trees and all things growing; when I’m on a train or in-between assignments it’s nice to be taken somewhere where there’s wilderness.
images courtesy of india hobson