I’ve always loved the feeling of taking a good picture; it’s a little shot of dopamine to the brain that I’ve become addicted to. I’ve had a camera with me consistently since the age of about 16…”
Hubert Cecil, Photographer
Photographer Hubert Cecil is renowned for his discerning eye and ability to capture the essence of high society through his lens. Cecil’s photographs often grace the pages of prestigious publications such as Tatler, offering a glimpse into the lives of the influential and affluent. His portraits are characterised by their timeless quality and ability to convey the unique personality of his subjects, making him a sought-after figure in the world of society photography. Through his artistry, Hubert Cecil has significantly contributed to the visual documentation of social history, providing an enduring record of the cultural zeitgeist. Here we discuss Hubert’s distinctive technique and the challenges of his work…
C&B: “Hubert, you’re such a well known face on the social scene and you always look perfectly at home – you’re part of the picture! How did you first decide upon a career in photography?”
HC: “I’ve had a camera with me consistently since the age of about sixteen; things took the party route when I went to university in Manchester. There was a bit of a scene and I really got into the reportage style of photography when I was there. As far as society work goes, it was a matter of ‘hanging in there’ as a photographer, generally, never saying ‘no’ to anything and seeing where it would all take me. I had no particular plan so my career ended up being quite self selecting…”
C&B: “What’s the most memorable moment or event that you’ve captured through your lens in London?”
HB: “The DKMS Blood Cancer Gala two years ago at the Camden Roundhouse was a seminal night for me because I’d made a key technical change to my setup; it paid off in a big way in the pictures so it’s always stuck in my mind as being a bit of a stylistic ‘gear change’ at a high stakes moment…”
C&B: “There’s nothing like finding a technique that makes your work better, or easier! How do you first approach capturing the essence of a person or an event in your photographs?”
HC: “I try to mix being as unobtrusive as possible with occasionally being quite assertive; I believe part of the challenge is knowing when to be which to get the shot I’m looking for. Also, I’m always ‘at the ready’ because the vital moments are fleeting…”
C&B: “Yes, we imagine it can be quite challenging to ensure you capture the most crucial moments at just the right time – particularly as so many are unexpected! What would you say is your favourite part of the process?”
HC: “There’s a often a thrilling energy in a room that can be almost ‘bottled’ in a photo, or a series of photographs, and that energy is most clearly expressed on people’s faces. I really enjoy conveying the essence of that. I also like the detached, almost anthropological feeling of being the observer at such a wide variety of human celebrations and rituals…”
C&B: “Yes, ‘people-watching’ is a fascinating subject and you must now be quite an expert in human behaviour and psychology! How do you stay inspired and creative amidst the fast-paced nature of your work?”
HC: “Like any creative, I’m always trying to find ways to improve what I do and how I do it by being very self-critical indeed. I’m generally fairly relaxed and I try to achieve a ‘flow state’ where I’m in my own parallel world while at a party – quietly humming a tune can help with that. After a job, I always first mentally scroll through the shots I actually missed but can still ‘see’ in my mind’s eye… I try to think about how I can avoid missing a similar shot in the future – or how I could have lit something differently in a shot I did actually capture. Only then do I concentrate on the shots I took, that I’m happy with – and I’m sometimes relieved to see that I had got enough good ones, after all.”
C&B: “It must be so nerve-wracking to wait and see if you managed to capture the essence of an event – it takes experience and true patience! What advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to break into the industry?”
HC: “My advice would be to never say ‘no’ to a job. Your camera will decide what you do as you’ll naturally start getting booked for the things you’re best at. Always have your camera with you and friends and friends of friends will think of you as a photographer and will get in touch about jobs…”
C&B: “Such great advice – you almost have to be as obvious about your work as possible; I think many photographers really enjoy producing great images – they’re something that people treasure for years…”
London is a city where there’s always something happening and people from all over the world can come and find their place in the maelstrom. This means that the scene is complex and ever-changing with an immense variety of aesthetics, identities and opportunities…”
Hubert Cecil, Photographer
C&B: “Can you share a challenging experience you faced in your career and how you overcame it?”
HC: “Both of my daughters were born on evenings where I’ve been working. The first I had to leave a little early and the second I finished the job and made it to the hospital just in time for the major contractions. Keeping a calm head in moments like that can initially be challenging but in the end it’s satisfying to be dedicated, come what may…”
C&B: “Yes, many of the events take place during the evening hours therefore I imagine it can be very challenging to maintain a social and family life when you’re so very successful. How do you balance the demands of covering major events while also maintaining your artistic vision?”
HC: “I’d say my artistic vision is always developing but as far as the major events go, my editor is looking for a fairly consistent style and feel of picture. Mostly candid with warm lighting and vivid colours. For events that aren’t for Tatler, I can sometimes be more impressionistic with my lighting. I also make light-box art with painters – that’s something I do in parallel that’s more experimental and personal…”
My core mantra is ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty – that is all’ – a quote by John Keats from ‘Ode On A Grecian Urn’; I try to take pictures that are honest and true in what they express and are therefore beautiful…”
Hubert Cecil, Photographer
C&B: “Out of the many inspiring individuals you’ve photographed, who are the most memorable, and why?”
HC: “I was lucky to meet and photograph Peter Beard at his house in Montauk in 2015. He was an old fashioned adventurer and abrilliant photographer with such an original mind. He was very encouraging and I thoroughly enjoyed his company…”
C&B: “Peter’s work is amazing; the first time I’d ever seen a montage of amazing photography embellished with painted handprints and graffiti-like embellishments. He was a true original. Talking of techniques, how do you see the evolution of photography in the digital age affecting your work, if at all?”
HC: “I view it as being an excellent time to be a photographer. Never before have images been such a widespread commercial and social currency. Of course, AI, DeepFake, Photoshop etc. have all changed what a picture can become but nothing can yet replace that ineffable feeling of frozen reality in a simple photograph…”
C&B: “Yes, the old adage ‘the camera never lies’ no longer applies. Can you talk about a project or photo that has extra-special meaning to you?”
HC: “Yes; I was twelve years old when I took my first ‘good’ picture with my Dad’s early digital camera, a two megapixel Fujifilm. My picture was of a girl sitting on a chair and my Dad said he saw something in it; I accidentally deleted it shortly afterwards, but can still see it in my mind’s eye. Everything flowed from that moment onwards…”
C&B: “Having parental endorsement is so encouraging and influential, it’s so important to have that guidance… on a broader stage, what ways do you think photography impacts society and culture?”
HC: “In very profound ways. Images have the power to summarise an aesthetic, a mood or a political atmosphere, to represent the power of one leader or the weakness of another and so have the ability to help form public opinion and drive society in a particular direction. A strong image can inform society’s collective self perception at a particular time or can bring change by highlighting a previously unclear or misunderstood injustice…”
C&B: “Yes, every picture tells a story! How do you prepare for a major event shoot, and what equipment do you never leave home without?”
HC: “I tend to arrive early and befriend the event staff/DJ/PR, whoever is there, so that there is already a good vibe at the outset and I can refer to that good vibe throughout. Kit wise, I have a Lowepro camera bag which has two camera bodies, three or four lenses, two radio transmitters and receivers, flash gun, memory cards, and batteries.”
C&B: “Are there any particular trends that you see emerging in photography, and if so, how are they influencing your work?”
HC: “I’ve noticed some photographers shooting with the camera at a diagonal angle to the vertical lines. It gives a sense of immediacy to an image and can be quite effective. Colour, light and shade vary according to style but generally the essentials of what makes a good picture won’t change.”
C&B: “What would you say are the key attributes of a great photographer and what’s essential to building a strong brand?”
HC: “I think a reputation for reliability, good manners and delivering pictures as quickly as possible all contribute to an overall brand, and these collectively are equally important to taking good pictures. In the end, photography is providing a service and people should ideally have a good experience from start to finish. Also, you know you’re doing something right when your pictures are immediately visually recognisable as yours. In my view, that is the best creative brand you can have.”
C&B: “Exactly! What legacy do you hope to leave through your photography, and how do you wish to inspire others?”
HC: “I hope that I can create a record of my time, innovate a little, make people feel good by capturing and giving them memories of their lives for posterity. I hope that other young photographers can see that if they have faith and keep at it, they can live and be happy while following their passion…”
CONTACT: http://www.hubertcecil.com
