About Artist
After picking up a camera at 23 and discovering the beauty of film photography years later, Al has continued to document the scenes, walks of life and the people he meets along the way. With a particular interest for portraiture and street photography; the majority of his work is shot on 35mm or 120mm medium format film. Having exhibited his work in London and New York - Al wants to make his work more widely accessible and connect with more people who resonate with his work. This archival print shop are hand picked prints from his travels over the last 6 years. As he continues to write screenplays and direct films - Al is continually adding to his archive and using his camera as a passport to see new corners of the world, with every intention of bringing everyone who’s interested along with him.
A Bit More About Al
“Photography is about being exquisitely present” - Joel Meyerowitz
"Having been a traditionally ‘uncreative’ - but a very sports mad kid growing up, art was really not my thing. Unfortunately at the age of 17 I began my struggle with mental illness and naturally found the world a difficult place to navigate for the 8 years that followed. Fortunately, the discovery of photography at 23 gave me the avenue of expression I so desperately needed, a cathartic escape and a glimmer at an incredibly fulfilling career path and lifestyle that would only aid my recovery and healing.
With age, amazing help, experience and time - I have been able to manage my mental health all the while be lucky enough to work on incredible projects with some extraordinarily talented people in both video and photography. Being able to create art as a profession and still maintain it as a hobby isn’t as easy as it sounds, but a gift I’ll forever be so grateful for.
Having a camera of any kind in your hands is a driver to explore new places, connect with new people, to push yourself out of your comfort zone and to discover new corners of the earth. The act of going on a photo walk, in a city or a new landscape is such a cathartic experience for me. It allows my brain to escape, to wonder, to be distracted by a scene, a person or a subject. It’s distraction - wonder - distraction - distraction - wonder.
Taking photos of life is a form of appreciation and gratitude. Photos represent a particular moment in time yes but more importantly they are tangible reflections of who you are, which given the opportunity can tangibly can last forever. A gift that you get to share with the world and a way to connect with people over and over.
I’m a firm believer that around every corner is your next piece of art - you’ve just got to go looking for it. It’s so easy to forget what a beautiful world this is we live in, but the beauty is never that far away and usually right under our noses. The people closest to you; strangers on the streets, the landscapes, buildings, the light, reflections. Being able to squeeze that slither of beauty into an image then to be made into a physical object, is one the most rewarding experiences anyone can be apart of regardless of their expertise or profession.. "
