Hi, my name is Nathan Thompson and I’m a semi pro photographer. Basically I work as an Environmental Enforcement Officer as my main source of income and work as a photographer which started out as a hobby during my evenings and weekends. Photography for me is a way I can express my creativity and provide others with the opportunity to model, become a makeup artist or shadow me as a photographer.
2)There are so many photographers out there what makes you any different from the rest?
I guess what makes me different from all the other photographers is that I have pooled together a large resource of industry talent into one big community we call London Speedlite Scene. This collective of talented people started off as an online group where photographers, models and makeup artists of varying skill levels could meetup and network together on a monthly basis at pre planned events. This group now has it’s own studio in south west London which enables us to further develop skills and train youth. We also provide talent for runways, video shoots and experienced professionals for events and functions. http://www.londonspeedlitescene.co.uk/
3)What word best describe you as a person?
I would have to say the best word that best describes me is “interchangeable”
4)Describe your fashion sense?
I would say smart and casual but that largely depends on my weight which goes up and down depending how often I can fit going to the gym into my schedule.
5)What are your best assets?
My best assets I have been told is my eyes and diverse personality
6)What makes a man a true man?
As a father to a 7 year old girl I would say a man is judged by how he provides for his family, treats his friends and his sense of responsibility.
7)Who are your 4 best friends you would ride and die for?
They would have to be the childhood friends who have been in my life since days long past. Warren, Aston, Ishmael and my other half Sue-Ellen.
8)If you was to walk the red carpet which designer would you wear and why?
I’m not much for big name brands but I do love the smart casual look so would probably be seen wearing something from Robert Emmett (Emmett London) http://www.emmettlondon.com/
9)If you was to stay at home for valentines night with your lover what would you cook and wear?
I would most certainly wear a fitted designer suit and tie as that is what floats her boat. For dinner I would cook a spicy Mexican and serve it with a sweet but chilled wine.
10)If we was a fly on your bedroom wall what would we be shock to see?
I guess the shock of seeing me naked would be enough to give anyone a fright.
11)What makes someone photogenic?
When someone is photogenic I consider them very lucky indeed. Not everyone who looks good in person looks the same on camera. I find people with very defined cheek bones and bright eyes never seems to fail.
12)What attracts you to someone?
Superficially I am attracted to so many things which are leasing to the eye but what really attracts me to someone is connecting with them mentally. There is no better feeling than when you feel understood by someone and you share the same views, philosophies and interests.
13)What are 4 things women do that makes you mad?
The four things some women do that make me mad is when they cant decide what to wear, make advances before I do, feel that looks are more important than responsibility and over emotional women.
14)choose one of the following.......(a)boxers......(b)thongs.......(c)briefs
It would have to be thongs.
15)What do you hate most when dancing with someone?
I hate when someone is not letting me take the lead and I have to keep in time with their rhythm.
16)How can someone from the other side of the world view your work and learn more about you?
I guess they would view my work as being creative, bizarre and beguiling down to the fact I work with a lot of beautiful and open minded young ladies.
17)What do you think of men who teaches women to walk?
I think it is great that a man can teach a women how to walk. There are guys who are very much in touch with their feminine side and women who sometimes need help to unlock their own femininity so it balances itself out.
18)If you had the chance to do a photo shoot with 4 people of your choice who would you love to shoot and why?
The four people I would love to shoot the most would be home portraits of a few historical and present heroes. Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Bob Marley & J.F. Kennedy. These individuals were all magnificent personalities in some way and advocated for the human rights of all.
19)What music would have you running to the dance floor to shake your booty?
I have always been a lover of Old Skool U.S. and U.K. House Music. It is all about the feel good factor those tunes bring.
20)What are a few things people say about you that is not true that you would love to address here?
I guess in a lot of ways I could be misunderstood to those who do not know me as being flirtatious and unattached. For the record I am a very reflective person who is always introspecting and analysing how I treat and deal with people. I am a very friendly but respectful and considerate to everyone around me but if I am completely honest I can be unforgiving when my trust has been misplaced.
21)Are you single/married/divorce/dating?
I’ve been with my other half Sue-Ellen almost 6 years now so I would like to consider myself as married yes.
22)What are some secrets when posing for a camera?
Some posing secrets would be if you are a larger size person try not to stand directly at the camera in every pose. To get a photo that is complementary try standing to the side that way you will appear slightly slimmer and achieve varying looks. Another tip is to think of the alphabet when posing. A good pose is one that is full of shapes. Try creating the letter S or T with your body arms and legs to create some edgy images.
23)What advice do you have for aspiring photographers out there?
The best advice I would give is to read many books on photography first. Learn how to shoot in manual settings first getting to know how to use the shutter speed, ISO, aperture settings and zoom on a lens in sync to naturally modify your images. Practice photography every chance you get in doors and out doors, close ups, landscapes and still life. Someone once told me when I first started “A picture a day”.
24)What was your reaction when you was ask for this interview by the fashion police?
When I was asked to be interviewed by the fashion police I was honoured. It has shown me that I am making a difference and it is being noticed by some very important and influential people within the industry.
25)What are your 4 fashion tips to all men out there?
Never do up both buttons on a blazer, use good fabric conditioner so your clothes always smell fresh, cultivate your own image and most importantly invest in some nice shoes.
26)If you was given 3 tickets to attend any 3 events in the uk which 3 would you attend?
To see Arsenal play at the Emirates, Drake in concert and conspiracy theorist David Icke.
27)Any last words for our many blog readers?
I would like to thank Catwalk Prosser for this interview, my other half Sue-Ellen for her long term support and all who have followed my work and still support me. Also a very big thank you to all the photographers, models, makeup artists and fashion designers I have worked with and continue to attend the photography events that I am involved in. To all those who would like to keep up to date with me please go to my page on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/natetogg.fanpage