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    Photographer and Videographer Ollie Holder Shares the World Through His Lens

    Photographer and Videographer Ollie Holder Shares the World Through His Lens

    Every day in Berkshire, UK, Ollie Holder helps to reveal the intricacies of the world with his camera.

    Through his work in and out of the office, Ollie Holder continues to master the art of both photography and videography.

    During the work week, Ollie works tirelessly as the in-house Senior Multimedia Producer at one of the UK’s largest charities. At his leisure, he dedicates his time to freelancing, capturing the most amazing photographs alongside his talented partner Laura.

    We had the opportunity to interview Ollie, learning about his journey, inspirations, and photography tips!

    What brought you into photography?

    I hate to sound cliche but it really was from when I was a young boy, maybe seven years old? I have always been fascinated with technology, video games, and filming especially, so it was at a young age I would make home movies, and take photos of family members. It wasn’t until I was older that I really began focussing on photography beyond being just a hobby.

    How would you describe your photography style? Do you prefer to shoot during the day or night?

    I’m not ashamed to say that my photography style has changed A LOT over the years; I had one style whilst I was traveling in New Zealand, another style when I was over in Australia, and several other styles when I returned to the UK. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I really felt I had found my true style when both shooting and editing. I’ve never tailored my creativity to artificial lighting or creating moments that ‘never happened’, so my preferred style has always been shooting during the day with natural light.

    Which camera do you use?

    I have been a Canon user for as long as I can remember, whilst I’ve dabbled with Sony’s range in my full-time role. At the time of writing this, I have a Canon R5 in the post and on its way to me! My previous camera was a Canon 5D MkIV so I’m super excited to have a play around with this mirrorless powerhouse.

    If you had to choose one lens to use forever, which one would it be and why?

    An easy answer would be the Canon 24-70mm 2.8, simply because of the range, it covers. Personally, I would go with my Canon 35mm 1.4 – it’s a great focal length for both filming and lifestyle shots, suited for any scenario.

    What’s the best part of being a photographer?

    As a profession, no day is the same; whether it’s the people you are working with or the places you’re going, every shoot is different and I love it.

    Where do you consider your artistic home? Is there a city, country, or neighborhood that inspired you to get into photography?

    I consider my artistic home to be anywhere unfamiliar. I started as a travel photographer and that was always exploring places new to me. I’ve never wanted to limit myself in where I work so the unknown always excites me – you’d be amazed at what you find when you explore outside of your comfort zone!

    What subject or person have you yet to photograph that you have always wanted to photograph?

    Not necessarily a living being but I love photographing waterfalls. There are few I’ve captured in my lifetime but I’ve always liked the idea of visiting some of the world’s largest national parks and seeking more out.

    What are the elements that make a photograph beautiful?

    Photography to me comes down to three main elements: subject, location, and storytelling. It’s all good and well to photograph a cliff edge at sunset but what purpose does it hold without a story behind it? I’ll always aim to put subjects in my photos as I like the idea of aiding the viewer to help them visualize themselves at that moment.

    What are you trying to translate in your work to those who see your photographs?

    That anything is achievable and there’s a world out there to explore. It’s very easy to feel comfortable at home and scroll through social media but I hope that my photography can ignite the desire to travel in my audience and encourage them to embark on their own adventure.

    When do know you have the right shot? Is it only exclusive to your eyes?

    The simple answer would be – I don’t! When I’m out and about with my camera, I try to photograph a variety of scenes from several angles, with only a faint creative vision in mind. Usually, it’s once I get back behind my laptop in Lightroom to I really find the shot and think to myself, ‘that’s the one’.

    What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

    I don’t travel as much as people would imagine. Sure my content is primarily travel-based but the majority of my work was during my two years backpacking in New Zealand and Australia. Now I shoot what I can and whenever I can but I’ll always have my camera with me if I’m hopping on a plane (or embarking on an epic road trip)… either that or I am a cider over beer kinda guy.

    What are some photography secrets that you can share with our readers?

    Don’t chase numbers. In my earlier years of photography, I was obsessed with likes, comments, and shares. I’ve actually got fewer followers on my Instagram than I once had and I’m at a stage where it doesn’t bother me. As long as you are producing work that you love and you are getting enjoyment out of it, then the numbers don’t matter! You’d be surprised how you can get a steady amount of work without 10k+ followers; people are going to notice your creativity before they look at your numbers.

    What’s your best advice for aspiring photographers?

    Set yourself goals. I find it’s best to set three at all times: something you can achieve next week, something you want to achieve in a month, and something you want to achieve in a year. By setting goals with a gradual build-up, you’re not going to pressure yourself into focussing on the one and even worse – lose your mind if you fail to meet a target.

    The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

    It sounds corny but my partner and friends are always inspiring me. A lot of relationships I’ve made over socials have been with smaller creatives who I’ve seen grow into some of the most creative geniuses I know to date. My partner, above all, is always pushing herself and me when it comes to our creativity and I love the passion we both share in this line of work.

    What photography or art-related motto, quote, or words to live by helps keep you inspired?

    ​It’s the one we’re taught in primary school:
    A picture is worth 1000 words. If a photo can’t tell a story, then what purpose does it really hold?

    Connect With Ollie!

    2 Comments

    • Jermaine Stevenson
      August 18, 2022

      In one of his interviews Ollie once said that he preferred to use specialized video editing soft for simple tasks like merging videos. Especially he likes to use online services like https://online-video-cutter.com/merge-videos instead of launching say Final Cut Pro because using online alternatives is much more comfortable and quick. That was a very interesting plan to find out from such a professional 👍

    • Ollie Holder
      September 8, 2022

      Thanks for the writeup, Carrie! It was a pleasure to have been interviewed by you and the team. I hope my perspective can inspire others to venture into this world of photography and filmmaking.

      Regarding Jermaine Stevenson’s comment, I have never said that, nor have I used the website they linked.

      Many thanks!

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    Photographer and Vid…

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