James K Lowe is a photographer from Auckland, New Zealand who’s become a welcome fixture in the city’s fashion community. From photographing look books and fashion shows for many of the top Kiwi labels, to documenting fresh new faces and regular commissions, he’s known for his strong work in this area. But while fashion will always play a part in his work and aesthetics are clearly important to James, fashion isn’t necessarily where he wants to be pigeonholed. Rather, in his considered manner he explains that it’s the overall look and composition of a photo that’s most important to him and as such he has big plans to take his work further and push his practice into more creatively challenging territory.
It rarely goes unnoticed that James is the long-time boyfriend of Lorde. He and Ella began dating over two years ago and he’s dealt with the unusual attention that is a by-product of dating a famous public figure with total grace. His photos of Ella range from the personal to more professional documentation of her performances and they always capture her incredible charisma and beauty. His sister Katherine Lowe is also a force in his life and as a successful blogger and stylist, they frequently work together as a stylish sibling dream team.
We spoke to James ahead of New Zealand Fashion Week where he will be our guest Instagrammer, capturing all the crucial back and front stage action.
Hi James, what have you been up to?
I’ve been shooting for Stephen Marr at the Marr Factory at Golden Dawn all week. We cover backstage, runway and the post show which changes every night.
It sounds like a great event. Who showed this year?
Karen Walker, NOM*d, Zambesi, Workshop and Helen Cherry and Kate Sylvester.
Have you been shooting a lot?
I’ve been shooting full time this year, which has been great and a change from the last 20-something years of my life. I feel like things are getting bigger and better, which is exciting.
Do you feel like you’re developing as a photographer?
Definitely. I’ve come from a fine art background so moving into fashion has been a little bit different and thrown me a in the deep end if I’m honest, but now I’m starting to incorporate my art practice and it’s becoming more of a combination of fashion and art. I’m starting to create more conceptual based work and taking control of the whole process. When you get to create something from scratch it’s more likely you’ll have an outcome you’re truly happy with.
What do you like about shooting fashion?
I like the portraiture and I like finding new faces. My sister, Katherine, was the one who pushed me into this so it’s been kind of natural. The next things I’m doing I’m really excited about though.
Ooh, what are you planning?
It’s a bigger photography project, which involves a lot of planning – a bigger budget, more people and lots of lights. With fashion I have look book jobs where I can shoot thousands of photos in a day to end up with 110 final images. This new project will see us working for a few months to make one image. I like problem solving and doing it all on camera, I think it’s so much nicer than relying on Photoshop. Fashion is a component but it’s definitely not portraiture.
Sounds like the kind of job that’ll allow you to really explore your potential. Who are you looking forward to at NZFW next week?
I’m shooting 27 Names. We are shooting on film, which is nice as I don’t get to do that for clients much. I’m doing Kate Sylvester backstage as well.
NZFW always has some cool things going on. Do you think you’ll stay in NZ?
I’m not sure, I’ve been asking myself that for a while. I’ve been looking at my US Visa. I think I may end up there.
How do you feel about the future? Are you optimistic for your generation?
The people I’m working with around my age are all doing amazing things. It’s only going to get better from here.
Do you think access to technology makes everyone less lazy.
Possibly. I think it makes me more lazy. I don’t like to go out that much and the fact that I can see most things online is a good reason for me to stay in. Maybe I’m not a good example. People are better at pushing their work out there over social media more than ever but the competition is pretty fierce. It’s a lot harder than it was say 5 years ago but that’s why it’s necessary to adapt.
Credits
Text Briony Wright