Up-And-Coming: Meg Hutchison

Meg Hutchison is a fantastic up-and-coming fashion & portraiture photographer from London, England who took the time to answer a few questions about her passion. Although she is young, Megs seems to have a natural eye when it comes shadowing and angles. Read below to find out what Meg had to say about the future of photography, her inspirations, and the photographers she looks up to.

Name: Megan Hutchison

Age: 19

Hometown: A village in Devon, it’s in the South West of England and no one in Devon really knows the place so I doubt any readers will…

Current location: London… somewhere in the borough of Camden.

Your portfolio is filled with outstanding portraiture photography! How did you become interested in that?

Thanks. I always loved it but in the beginning I think I was a little too absorbed in fashion, I kind of got into it by mistake at the end of last year by photographing my brother a lot. It’s something I’d really like to build on and I plan on doing so this year, but we’ll see!

Whats one thing that most people don’t know about you?

Hmm… I like Natural History and love wildlife programmes.

Who are some of the photographers and/or artists you look up to?

I like a handful of fashion related photographers (Paolo Roversi being number 1), a list that has drastically shrunk since I started photography, but I feel a lot more moved and interested by work outside of fashion. I’m not belittling it in any way, I just think fashion is an unrealistic world and it’s good to get perspective.

I love the work of Duane Michals (he tells it like it is with portraiture), the late Tim Hetherington’s Restrepo photo book really caught my attention – I became quite submerged watching the film too.

Some favourites off the top of my head: Peter Hapak, Platon, Christopher Anderson, Francesca Woodman, Ida Karr. Artists: Jenny Saville, Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter and Cecily Brown.

What type equipment do you shoot with?

I shoot with a Canon 5D mk I, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2 and a 24-105mm.

I’m not sure this question is relevant anymore but Mac or PC?

Mac. But funnily enough I was really childish about Apple products when I was younger, I tried to boycott the iPod at school for a while. But now I can’t get enough. It’s my Dad’s fault.

Do you think the point and shoot camera will fade out with all the smartphones and applications available these days?

I don’t think so…I really hope not. The quality of work would plummet. Admittedly I use Instagram but I hate the idea that apps and phones would be the future of photography.

Did you study photography in school?

I did AS-level photography in my final school year (like high school for those that have no idea what I’m talking about) for about a week and then I dropped out of school altogether, it wasn’t for me. Even if I had stayed I think I’ve learnt more than if I’d actually stuck out the year. I find the whole arts system in England is really disappointing and I could go on about that all day but I won’t.

Care to share any of your vices?

Being stubborn. Err I don’t know. I definitely have them, I’m only human.

I noticed you seem to shoot a lot of black & white photography. Personally, I have a small obsession with b&w photos, theres something absolutely captivating about the shadowing. What do you like about?

I can’t help it. It’s so graphic and I think it’s also the most honest way to make an image seem unrealistic. At the same time, I can’t explain it – it’s a visceral thing.

Whats currently on your iPad?

Musically speaking not a lot because I’ve been lazy in that department – I don’t tend to use it for music but a lot of Eminem at the moment! But I have loads of great apps: 0 to 100 Project – a must for anyone interested in portraiture, the LIFE app (I spend a little too long on this one), some National Geographic ones and the Discovery Channel’s News app. I should probably have said my portfolio is on it but it’s not yet. I really must do that…

It’s no secret that we enjoy our adult beverages at D&D. If you’re out whats your first choice?

It depends where I am, but let’s say whisky. And if I’m dancing I’ll need to add diet coke.

If you could shoot anywhere in the world where would it be?

Everywhere!!! No, I will narrow it down… a bit: Nepal, Bhutan, Switzerland, Scotland, umm, Russia and Alaska. I could go on!