Meet creative star notjoe as we talk about camera advice, photographing Skepta, and 2023 goals.

A few weeks ago, we got in touch with creative talent notjoe to talk about his personal camera recommendations for photography and videography, his career goals for the year and of course, we talk about his experience when photographing Skepta. Be sure to go over to Instagram and drop Joe a follow on @not_____joe! We appreciate his times and efforts throughout.

Hey Joe, please could you give an introduction of yourself for anyone who isn't already aware of your work?

I'm Joe and I’m from Maidenhead, mainly a gig photographer at the moment but always looking to branch out really, I do videography and video editing as well here and there, but I'm focusing on photography at the moment, working with artists and bands.

How long have you been doing gig photography for?

A year ago today [09.03.23] actually! Started out just getting some promo shots for a band called Project Culture and fell in love with it.

That's amazing! How does photography make you feel, being able to take pictures of all of the things you love?

I feel like it's such a positive creative outlet for me, I feel like I can really dive into it, you know? I've become absolutely obsessed with it if I'm honest, I can't wait to learn the next new thing that'll make my photos better. Music holds a very special place in my life so to be able to capture live performances through photos is so creatively fulfilling.

For real! What sort of music do you listen to?

A lot of stuff really, I'm mainly drawn to UK chilled rap, Loyle Carner, Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Rejjie Snow, that kind of thing, a lot of older bands I've learnt from my dad as well, like The Stone Roses, also a lot of Frank Ocean, what a man.

I hear you, have you ever listened to Songer? He's quite like Loyle Carner in my opinion! What sort of equipment do you use for your photography?

Yeah, heard a bit of Songer! He seems pretty sick, deffo got his own style. I mainly shoot on a Lumix G7 for crisp and clear shots or a Fuji film xPro 1 for a film look, I'll sometimes have a flash with me but it's very simple at the moment, just a couple cameras.

I respect that a lot! What sort of equipment did you start out with?

Honestly, the same kind of kit, it hasn't developed much haha, the Fuji camera is a new purchase but I was lucky enough to already have the Lumix.

If you were to recommend a camera to someone starting out, would it be that one?

It depends, the Lumix G7 is actually much more of a videography camera as I used to do lots more videography work, so for a photographer starting out there's probably better places to go. A DSLR is always a good shout, Nikon do a few that are good for lowlight, gig photography too, also the Panasonic C900 film camera is a brilliant point and shoot for filming.

What's your opinion on stripped back phone photography?

I used to think it was quite lazy but to be honest, if you were wanting to take photography seriously that is, but the cameras on phones are so good now that I feel like it's actually a cheaper alternative. I did a shoot recently with an artist called MIMI and she preferred the iPhone shots I took rather than the shots on my proper camera, so it shows the quality iPhone cameras hold.

It's so cool to see something so accessible for everyone to use for sure! I've seen on your page that you've photographed the likes of Skepta, how was that?

Ah yeah, the Skepta gig was wild, Novelist brought him out at a show in Lewisham that my mate Edward had got me a pass for last minute, it was crazy. I had no idea he was going to be there, I was right at the front in the pit, and suddenly he's stood two feet from me spitting "It's the return of the mack", couldn't believe it, his presence is honesty unmatched. You get moments where it feels like all of the hard work is being repaid and that was definitely one of them, so glad I was able to get some good pics as well.

How did you feel coming home after that night, knowing you captured that moment better than most?

I felt very lucky for sure, I'd just happened to be in the perfect spot, sometimes things fall in your favour like that I guess, like I said, I felt like all my hard work up to that point had been repaid, like the universe gifted me a potentially once in a lifetime opportunity.

Is there anyone you dream of working with?

Loyle Carner is the main guy really, either him or Lava La Rue, both have been huge inspirations for me, both have had some man talented photographers working with them in the past few years, so I'd love to get myself to that level soon.

That's so achievable for sure! Talk to me about what your 2023 is looking like.

2023 is looking difficult so far as I've been in Australia visiting family since February, but I'd love to fit in some festivals when I'm back in the UK if possible. I feel like they'll be sick for building up the portfolio, also will be getting involved with some shoots for Cloudland Collective as soon as I can. I'm really trying to teach myself street photography out here though, Melbourne has been great for it so far, so that'll be a good skill to take back to the UK for sure.

Australia sounds crazy! Which festivals would you like to do, given the chance?

Reading & Leeds looks to have a sick line-up this year, so definitely them, fests like Green Man and Boomtown are flooded with photography opportunities so them as well, and I'll add Latitude to the list but more because I just want to see Paulo Nutini haha.

I hope you get to all of those places. What advice would you give to your year-ago-self in today you?

Honestly, I'd say to myself to just keep going, keep taking photos, keep getting involved with projects, keep being that annoying guy that won't stop messaging artists, venues, agents, and managers, because you have to make it happen for yourself. Also, to just enjoy it, I put so much value on my creative life, so this year has been so good for my creative brain! I'd also tell myself to buy a fisheye lens because I only bought one fairly recently and it's changed my life haha.

I've got a fisheye lens just to mess around with, it's become an essential. Before we ask you our final question, do you have anything you would like to add?

I'll add some advice to any creatives - always keep a notepad and even a small camera on you, not just to write things down and take photos but because it allows you to see the world differently, you're now noticing things to write down or draw and take photos because you have the option, it helps keep my creative brain switched on!

That's some sick advice for all creatives! Do you have anyone you would like to shout out, someone you've worked closely with, someone you've been liking or even just a friend, anyone you like?

I've got two guys that have helped me so much that I'll shout out. First is my mate Edward, he has helped me more than he probably knows, given me great advice and was the guy to get me into that Novelist/Skepta gig, very talented on the camera! @thenamesedward. I'll shout out my mate Ben who gave me the opportunity of photographing my first gig for a band he managed at the time, he's been great in the last year and is now working with loads of new London artists over on @miimusiiic, appreciate both these guys a lot.

Appreciate your time Joe, keep doing you!