Matthew Helders from the Arctic Monkeys:
I always played around with cameras and was interested in photography as a kid. I suppose I started taking photos more seriously with film cameras when I was on tour with my band. I didn’t ever really think about it too much or have any sort of technique. I did a little bit of dark room stuff at school and then recently picked it back up again, developing my own film at home. While I do shoot digital for stories like this, I mostly shoot film day to day. I just take photos of what’s around me, looking for nice light or just anything that catches my eye. I’m new to the idea of having a concept for a shoot and planning making a picture but it’s certainly an experience I enjoy, just more of a challenge. The inspirations for this shoot probably came from watching my fiancee getting ready and seeing how beautiful that could look. Then I wanted to think about people just checking themselves out and not being ashamed of that, but being proud of their style. I thought about how people rarely walk past their own image or reflection without having a quick look, whether that’s to criticise or admire.
Does style matter?
I think it depends, I think it’s ok if matters to somebody and if it’s ok if it doesn’t, I just don’t think anyone should be judged based on which way they decide. Everyone thinks of some form of style in some way, even subconsciously. Looking effortlessly stylish is probably the hardest thing.
See more of Matthew’s work here.
GILDED BIRDS 