Our Creativity Spotlight series features advice on artistic practice, inspiration, and a glimpse into the worlds of artists working in a variety of disciplines.
We were very excited to interview Ali Wright, an incredibly talented photographer who we loved working with to capture our poster image for Friday Night Love Poem. If you've been to the theatre in London or at the Edinburgh Fringe then you will likely recognise some of her images. In her interview shares her thoughts about creativity and gives us some insight into how she works.
"I believe ideas need time, space (and usually a couple of good nights sleep) to develop fully."
Tell us a bit about your work.
I am Ali Wright a freelance photographer specialising in photographing theatre. I document theatre productions and rehearsals for marketing, press and archival purposes. Alongside this I also create artwork for marketing and promotional campaigns for theatre shows both in the studio and on location.
My personal work combines traditional portraits with theatrical, costumed or performative elements.
What is your creative practice?
In the preparation process, I am most creative when I don’t force or pressure my creativity. I believe ideas need time, space (and usually a couple of good nights sleep) to develop fully.
However, if facing a fast approaching deadline I try to narrow down my ideas, and try to focus on a couple of major themes and use them as a springboard for beginning a concept. Personally I find the more choices I have the harder I find it to start the task, therefore making some decisions (these can always be changed later) really helps.
On shoots I try to let go of as much of the planning as possible. It’s great to have it in your back pocket, but usually the real magic happens when you embrace the uncertain and explore your ideas live.
What advice would you give to other creatives?
Know the difference between your ability and your capability and don’t beat yourself up about either. Celebrate what you are able to achieve right now, and try to challenge yourself to push the boundaries of that. But know that with time and perseverance your ability will become your capability, then your capability will extend further.
Talk about your ideas with people, ideally at a pub with friends, this is particularly important when you work alone.
Trust your eye/ideas. Clients are employing you because they like your previous results, so stick to your guns.
Plug time! What are you working on?
With all theatres closed and the inability to collaborate with other people, I am currently having a bit of a reset and allowing myself to not force any creativity and only pick up my camera when I really feel like it. I have so far taken a self-portrait exploring our right to melancholy during times of turmoil, which was published on Vogue Italia’s PhotoVogue.
You can follow Ali's work via instagram @aliwright_photographs or on her website www.aliwrightphotography.com
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