Emerging fashion photographer Thom Corbishley Captures Urban Spaces and Faces

What was the defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a photographer?

Probably during my first year of university, studying History & Politics. I’d always been torn between something creative or something typically academic. Photography had always been “just a hobby”, but I quickly realised that it was what I’d rather be doing when I graduated.

When shooting fashion photography what helps you decide the location? You seem to be drawn to urban settings, why?

Well I’ve always preferred location shoots for fashion – although I want to develop some more studio-based shoots in the future. It sounds like a cop-out, but it’s simply about finding somewhere I’ve found awe-inspiring: I like finding somewhere I feel could be the subject of a photograph on its own, without a model in the foreground. Location is as important to me as any other aspect, and I’ll often want to learn as much about that location as I can before I shoot it. And I think I’m often so drawn to urban spaces simply because I feel I was slightly deprived of urban settings to photograph when I first started photographing. I’m from rural Cambridgeshire, so I’ve been inundated by fields and meadows my entire life – now I’m overcompensating.

Who are your favourite photographers? Who or what image has been most influential to you?

I think my favourite photographers are constantly changing with every magazine I pick up, or website I look at. Certainly, in the last year I’ve developed a fascination with almost anything Jamie Hawkesworth does. I’ve also become pretty obsessed with Ben Rayner, Laura Allard-Fleischl and Colin Dodgson. But I honestly don’t think I could come up with one image that has influenced me more than others. However, Nobuyoshi Araki’s book The Banquet has been of particular interest to me for a long time.

If you could shoot anyone, dead or alive, who would you pick?

Err, that’s tough. Maybe Allen Ginsberg. He always seemed to sit really well for photographers like Avedon. Also, I could imagine you could have a fairly interesting conversation with him at the same time.

What changed for you as a photographer in 2016? What can we expect from you next?

Well in 2016 I moved to London. So there have been far more opportunities to photograph, as well as meet great new people, especially ones to collaborate with. But I also find London incredibly visually stimulating. I try to carry my camera with me as much as possible because I feel as though I’m constantly finding new and bizarre things to photograph just walking around the streets. So hopefully, what you can expect from me next is just more photos, more frequently.

Follow photographer Thom @thomcorbishley model @mollyshinjihunloke and stylist @magalifedele.

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