We spotlight photographer, Seth London about why he became a photographer, what inspires his creative process and why he needed to lose weight.

I feel social media is the bloodline for most or even all freelancers. If it wasn’t for online blogs and Tumblr, I think I’d be an average John Doe shooting.

– Seth London

 

Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

I was born in Brooklyn, New York, however, I am from Long Island, New York. For the last two years, I live in Manhattan on the Upper Westside.

Describe your upbringing.

What a question. I am the oldest of five siblings. I grew up in a single-parent home. My mom stressed the importance of education, so I ended up getting my masters in 2008 in Forensic Psychology. How I become the photographer I am now? My mother asks that every day. And the world may never know LOL. I grew up in a very privileged and yet sheltered life. Being the oldest, I had to grow up very fast. Learning to cook and tend to the house while my mother worked endless nights as a Lieutenant for the EMT Dept.

Being sheltered, I never grew up like as a normal teenager. I had very little friends growing up and I stayed in the house. I guess that’s why, til’ this day, I have little friends. People in the fashion industry never see me out and about. I can’t play one sport and have no desire to watch sports. I guess you can say like any family, we had our ups and downs, the good and the ugly, however, I would not do anything differently.

Why did you become a photographer?

I started photographer in high school as a means to capture my friends and my activities. When I went into college, my academic studies were Forensic Science. I became oddly turn on with how people could photograph dead bodies and crime scenes. One thing leads to another. Did I every think it will end up like this? Not in a million years!

I photograph because it is a creative outlet. I am not a painter or sketch artist but with my film and camera I can display visual art. I am happy being able to provide people with a photograph; a document that can never be repeated. I also enjoy helping models achieve their goals and dreams.

How do you describe your style of shooting?

Sexual. Intimate. Personal. Gritty. Raw. These are all accurate ways to capture the emotions of my photography and who I am as a photographer.

“Seth London” is not just a name or a person. It is an idea, a feeling I evoke in the models I meet and the people I pass. I am not just a man with a camera. I am a visionary pushing the boundaries on what is safe and accepted.

Who are your dream clients and/or gigs? List name and why you would like to work with them.

I would love to work for Givenchy and Essential Homme Magazine. I mean the list can go on forever. But these two are more obtainable. I like these two because, like me, they push the concept of what we think is the norm and or what is safe. These brands are here and now and in your face just like me.

Do you believe social media is an asset to your brand?

I feel social media is the bloodline for most or even all freelancers. If it wasn’t for online blogs and Tumblr, I think I’d be an average John Doe shooting. This can be a good thing and a bad thing.

Via social media every move becomes instant and at “your” hands and fingertips. The ability to hashtag someone’s name or a place is mind blowing. I feel I’d be no one in this ocean called fashion if it wasn’t for Instagram and Facebook.

What are some of the challenges you face being a photographer?

Jobs. I feel it’s hard and harder to find clients who want to actually pay real money for a shoot. People just think, “Hey you have a camera and it’s just a picture. why are you charging me $600?”. It’s hard to fight with new photographers who will do the job for 1\3 your rate or for FREE. I cannot fight with free.

The circle

Some clients, being agencies, designers, magazines and etc.; only book people they know, the invisible circle. You can be the best in your craft but if you are not in the invisible circle, you just don’t exist.

Editing

I am not the best editor. I do not like to over process my work. I studied photography in a darkroom with film process. I have a very what you see, is what you process. I want my audience to see the beauty in the unbeauty of what I see. Not what my Apple computer and my Photoshop can create. I feel the new thing is to edit someone beyond recognition.

If you could live outside of the United States, where would you live and why?

Europe. The Europeans believe and appreciate one for their talent and craft. Besides that, any place outside of the USA is amazing. It’s been an honor to travel to London and Italy for fashion related business. To me, people in different towns and countries like Brazil, London, and South Africa have a different very liberal approach on male photography and fashion overall. That kind of mindset is what I strive for.

Where do you gain your inspiration from?

The streets. I love the streets. It’s young and in your face.

Social media, magazines and blogs: These three help me stay on top of the trend and trends. I believe in bettering yourself as a photographer one must do their homework.

If you could change one thing about the photography business, what would that be?

I would love to see more recognition given to Black photographers and young photographers. At times, I feel people pass judgment on a lot of young and talented photographers just because of their age.

You’ve been on a new health kick and lost a lot of your weight. What inspired you to do so?

I have been on the Paleo Diet for the last 4-5 months. The Paleo Diet overall is a no carb, no dairy, and no processed food diet. I’m deep into yoga especially hot yoga as well as Pilates and spin class. I can’t forget I cash my bank account out for personal trainers. When I started my diet I was 236. And when I shot with Rick Day in June 2015 I was 201. And now I am 179 lbs.

It was many factors that caused me to lose weight. Number one was my health. As a photographer, I also style. At any given time, if it’s a studio shoot, I have to carry bags of clothes and lighting equipment. After awhile, I was having knee problems and back problems. I would be exhausted on set. Shooting multiple models in a day or session would at times feel like the death of me. After the 100th time complaining to my doctor and having this woman tell my fat ass to lose weight. I just said, “Hey, the loose weight.”

My Craft

This may sound really stupid and vain, however, most of the known and noted photographers we have come to know and love are not fat.
One of my good friends and mentors once told me, “If you want to be the best, gotta look the best.”

Fashion

As a photographer, I get invited to a lot of shows and fashion week events. You cannot find nice and cute clothing in XXL or in a 40-inch waist.

Your shoot with Rick Day produced some beautiful portraits. Why did you choose him to shoot the revised you?

Well, who else would I turn to? Like my good friend Alva Page would say, “If you going to do it, do it with a bang.” When I started photography, I always idolize this man (Rick Day) and his professionalism. As well, the amazing work he produces. In NYC, there’s a small group of photographers who shoot male models. I felt, I had one chance to get it right. I chose the photographer who is sitting at the top of the food chain. Also, his work is okay (joking).

Website:
sethlondonstudios.squarespace.com

Facebook:
/sethlondonnyc

Instagram:
@sethlondonnyc

Shoot Credits
Photographer  Rick Day @rickdaynyc
Stylist  Sequine Lee @sequine
Makeup  Steven Trap @the.menswear.project
Hair Grooming  Travis Chewy @travis_stanley_
Facial Grooming  Jay from Denny Moes @jayoutcuts

Seth London’s Work