Cape Town - Reflections

Recent shoot in Cape town…well, West of Cape Town to be precise, in the rolling sand dunes that dot the area inland from the coast. Sometimes you get an idea in your head and for this one I just wanted to build a huge massive mirror box. 

The sand dunes are protected from an environmental perspective so shooting on them comes with a number of restrictions and safeguards to ensure nature is protected. Shifting a huge and heavy box of mirrors around also involves jumping over some rather large logistical hurdles, including using specialist sand vehicles to move around the undulating dunes.

The wind on the southern cape can be fierce, so we shot at first light before the breeze had time to pick up. I wanted to create lifestyle images with an edge. A nod to tech, a nod to fashion but most importantly just something that stopped people in their tracks. The interplay between the blue of the sky, reflected in the mirror and the blue styling palette. 

I have included a few from the final set and behind the scenes below. You can see the full lifestyle set HERE.

Business Wales

Ever tried to set up a boxing ring on-top of a Welsh mountain during a weather warning for an advertising photography shoot? You haven't lived. 

Shot for Business Wales at a number of locations across Wales…from aforementioned windy rain soaked hilltops to rather more pleasant restaurants in Cardiff. 

The aim of the advertising shoot was to promote the range of help offered by the Welsh government to the full spectrum of businesses sectors that operate in the country.

Award Win

Last year I was named Food Photographer of the Year for my work on candy floss sellers in India at the Pink Lady Awards. Here are just some of the over 170 articles and press pieces featuring the work. Everything from The BBC, Der Standard, TimeOut to Bored Panda. Kudos to the food awards team. Lovely to win this award, even more pleasing when I consider myself an advertising and lifestyle photographer rather than a food photographer.

Here is a link to the full set: The Candy Men

Drinks Photography

Some new drinks photography shot in sunny Cape Town. With these lifestyle images I wanted to capture some real moments of connection. With these sorts of shoots it's all about setting the stage and bringing the right mood to set so people are genuinely relaxed and having fun. You can’t fake it. We shot on a rooftop as the sun went down so we had all those lovely warm hues; sundowner, sunset colors to play with. 

The window of shooting was tight as that sun sets faster than you would have imagined. We shot big spritz glasses and used some hard shadow lines to add interest and shape. Keeping the drinks looking at their very best is a key challenge in the heat. Ice, ice and more ice.  

As a lifestyle photographer shooting drinks you can’t really ask for more than what Cape Town has to offer. 

Rob Edwards - Premier Manager

Robert Edwards is a professional football manager and former player who played as a centre-back and is currently the manager of Premier League club Luton Town. Born in England, he represented Wales internationally.

Edwards began his career with Aston Villa, making his senior debut in the Premier League. He then moved to Midlands neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers. He helped both Blackpool and Norwich to promotions to the Premier League and featured for Barnsley in the Championship before retiring due to injury in 2013. He played international football for Wales, making his debut in 2004 and winning 15 caps in total. As a sports portrait photographer Rob was a dream to work with.

Asahi Rugby World Cup

Some new advertising work for Asahi…. Travelling to Paris to shoot the Stade de France, and then back to London to shoot the rugby ball and bits. The whole image then came together in post, as these things so often do.

We’ve seen this all over London on bus stops, in train stations, and then in the supermarket on packaging, a real cross-platform campaign.

Shokz - Headphone Lifestyle Shoot

Some new lifestyle work for headphone brand Shokz. The headphones sit outside of the ear allowing you to hear the music without shutting off all external environmental noise. Kind of neat. The client wanted a range of lifestyle photography, showcasing the product but also alluding to the transformative design features. 

We shoot at a number of location sites across London - from a disused shopping mall to the roof at Big Sky. As a lifestyle photographer I love capturing the moment so I like to shoot in a simple, nimble way; capturing those little moment in between.  

TAG Heur

Just wrapped up an exciting and adrenaline-fueled photoshoot for TAG Heuer, featuring the incredible Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

I had the honor of capturing some truly dynamic shots of these two Formula 1 superstars for the renowned watch brand. 

One of the unique challenges we faced was the tight timeline. We had to meticulously plan the shoot and rehearse ahead of time. Shooting with multiple setups inside one studio complex.  Thanks to the incredible professionalism and dedication of the entire team, we managed to make every moment count in a very tight 1 hour window per driver.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were not only consummate professionals but also incredibly down-to-earth individuals. Their willingness to collaborate added an extra layer of authenticity to the final images.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to TAG Heuer for trusting me with this fantastic project - as an advertising photographer - it was an incredible experience to work with such a prestigious brand and showcase their iconic timepieces alongside two of the world's greatest racing talents.

The images are now out in the real world;  launched at the Monaco Grand Prix as part of a new collection, representing the remarkable partnership between TAG Heuer and the world of Formula 1.

Advertising Photographer

People often ask me what I do for a living so I thought I would write a little post about the rather niche job that I have ended up having. I am an advertising photographer.

 In the world of advertising, visual communication plays a paramount role in capturing the attention of audiences and conveying brand messages effectively. One of the most influential tools in this realm is advertising photography. From billboards to magazine ads, standout photography has the power to transform an ordinary product into a must have. 

Advertising photography is the art of creating visually compelling images with the purpose of promoting products, services, or ideas. Its primary objective is to capture the attention of potential customers, ignite their imagination, and ultimately influence what they choose to spend their money on. 

Whether it's a stunning portrait or an exquisite set of lifestyle images, advertising photography is all about creating an emotional connection with the viewer. I think this is what I do best. 

My work as an advertising photographer is to evoke emotions, convey messages, and inspire viewers to engage with the brand's story. A successful advertising photograph not only sells a product but also triggers curiosity, leaves a lasting impression, and prompts action.

I work closely with creative teams, art directors, and clients to bring ideas to life. Extensive research, mood boards, and brainstorming sessions lay the foundation for a successful shoot. I have an extensive network to draw upon - stylists, make up artists and producers dotted across the globe. It's very much a team effort. 

 The aim is to create images that aligns with the brand's identity, resonates with the target audience. The images I produce are therefore very much handcrafted; bespoke. 

Advertising photography demands technical proficiency and a keen eye for detail. I have a deep understanding of lighting techniques, composition, color theory, and image editing. From manipulating natural light to creating elaborate studio setups, it's all about creating visually striking images that fulfill and elevate the client's vision.

Grolsch

Here is a recent shoot for global beer brand Grolsch. Shot in London the company wanted an entire bank of images that they could use across a wide range of platforms from out of home advertising in North America to a website refresh. Keen to push the beer's association with live music we spent a huge amount of time reccying London's live music venues to find the perfect location …..and then essentially putting on a gig. Shot over two long days at two locations. As a lifestyle photographer working in advertising all the elements are controlled but it's then a matter of allowing and coaxing those genuine moments of interaction to occur.

Ansu Fati - In Spain

Some recent images shot in Spain of Barcelona’s Ansu Fati. Fati was born in Guinea-Bissau but chose to represent the Spanish national team after gaining citizenship. He has been linked with numerous transfer rumours to clubs such as Manchester United. Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Barcelona announced Fati would inherit the number 10 shirt from Lionel Messi. 

As a sports portrait photographer I’m used to shooting whenever clients want me. On this occasion a sports hall in Ansu’s hometown of Herrera. 

Win

Delighted to share this press release: 

An intensely powerful portrait, The Candy Man, by UK photographer Jon Enoch, has won the overall prize of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2023, the world’s leading celebration of the art of food photography and film.

The photograph was taken in the streets of western Mumbai near the candy floss-selling grounds of the beaches and fairs. It is part of a wider series of images of the sellers, which capture the unique ways used to display the candy goods in the hope of attracting a buyer.

“This is a magnificent picture,” says Caroline Kenyon, Founder, Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year. “For me, it evokes the great late 18th and early 19th century portraits of Reynolds and Gainsborough - the gaze, the full-length figure, the subject’s position in the frame. The man in the picture may have a humble way of life, touting his wares of toxically-coloured candy floss, but he himself is splendid. Dignified, confident, direct, he is anyone’s equal in a society riven with division and caste differences. This image shows us beautifully the universal truth, we are all the same.”

“I’m ecstatic to receive this award, it's a real honour to get this recognition in such a prestigious competition laden with wonderful imagery,” says Enoch. “The winning image was part of a personal project - a huge amount of time and thought went into capturing it so it's great to be recognised by such an esteemed panel of judges. Ever since I first saw the candy floss sellers I was drawn to the shapes, colours and juxtaposition of the candy and the urban environment.”

The winners of the 36 categories were announced by acclaimed chef, author and television presenter, Nadiya Hussain MBE, in an exciting Awards ceremony at BAFTA, London on Tuesday 16 May 2023. The announcement was also streamed on the competition’s YouTube channel and was watched by an audience across the globe. 

This year’s global judging panel, tasked with assessing the thousands of entries submitted from over 65 countries across the world, was chaired by legendary food photographer, David Loftus, and included: Fiona Shields, Head of Photography, Guardian News & Media, Chef Ian Kittichai, Restaurateur, Author & TV Host, Ella Ravilious, Curator, The V&A Museum, Nik Sharma, Cookbook author, Photographer, Columnist and Rein Skullerud, Senior Photographer, Photo Editor at the United Nations World Food Programme. 

The exhibition of the 2023 Finalists will be premiering at The Royal Photographic Society, one of the world’s oldest photographic societies, in Bristol. The exhibition runs from Saturday 20th May. 

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Here are a few of the wonderful bits of press coverage the win has received including from The BBC, Guardian and China Daily. I see myself as an advertising and lifestyle photographer but food is such a large part of the human experience its impossible to work as a photographer and not shoot it.  

Too Good To Go

I love working for purpose driven brands and none come with greater ambition than Too Good To Go. The company matches consumers with restaurants and grocery stores to sell unsold food.

A technology company at heart, it operates across Europe and North America to tackle the enormous issue of food waste. Up until this point a lot of stock imagery had been used, leading to a fragmented style. We shot a bespoke collection of images and video to place the consumer at the heart.

Working with their wonderful in-house team, we shot in London. Creating lifestyle photography assets with a fresh spring feel (despite shooting in London in March) to serve their consumers in a wide range of territories. 

Portrait of Humanity

An image from my recent series The Candy Men has been published in the latest edition of Portrait of Humanity by Hoxton Mini Press. The image, which is just one from a larger body of work, was shot in Mumbai, India last year. The image shows a local candyfloss (cotton candy) seller with his homemade rig for displaying the candy and attracting a sale. You can see the whole series by clicking on this link www.jonenoch.com/candy-man and you will of course be able to find the book - as they say - in all good bookstores. As an advertising photographer who usually works for a client, it's enormously satisfying and rewarding to shoot personal work like this which is totally in my own vision.

Huel - Lifestyle Photography

I shoot lots for Huel. Huel are a meal replacement food provider. Nutritionally complete, the food comes in a number of flavours either ready to drink or in powder form. The company is expanding massively and have sold over 200 million meals globally, they are the fastest growing British e-commerce company.

Here are just a few examples of the lifestyle photography I have shot for them. From beaches to warehouses. Working with a brand over time allows a consistent style to be established. As a lifestyle photographer working with the brand to establish that look is as much of the job as actually taking the images.

Big in Korea

Delighted to share these images from a major new exhibition which will run until the end of March 2023. Located at the ASEAN Cultural Centre, Busan, South Korea. My project ‘Bikes of Hanoi’ forms the centerpiece. An exhibition exploring modern day transportation across South East Asia.

Sports Shoot

Some images from a recent week-long commission. Shot in a studio, well room, converted into a studio.  We had an ever revolving cast of sportsmen and women to shoot. The models were all excellent - you can really tell the difference between someone who knows a sport and someone who really knows a sport. Stills don't leave anywhere to hide. Casting is critical. 

I wanted to create a slightly gritty feel - not overly messed around with or reliant on post to create the images. A strong directional top light filled from the front and clipped from the back but this sort of lighting means the sweet spot is narrow - the difference between an image looking amazing and rubbish is a few inches so you really have to shoot through the arch of motion. So we shot lots. Sorry Macbook. A dream commission for a advertising photographer.

Rollover - Lifestyle Photography - Jon Enoch

Recent photo shoot for food producer Rollover. The company sells on-the-go food, most noticeably hotdogs and burgers at a vast range of outlets across the UK - from football stadiums to garages. I was tasked with producing an image library that could be used across their marketing assets. Key to the shoot was reflecting the brand's sense of fun and authentic shared moments.

Shooting in London as a lifestyle photographer this was a great shoot to work on . I love working with brands and bringing their ideas to reality….and yes we ate hotdogs for lunch.

Kevin Sinfield - Autobiography

My portrait of Kevin Sinfield is being using on his upcoming autobiography. Kevin a former Leeds Rhinos and England player. His playing days saw him become one of the most successful players in Super League history, having captained the team to seven Super League championships and two Challenge Cup successes. Since retirement he has also become a prominent fundraiser for charities associated with Motor Neurone Disease. As a sport portrait photographer is always a pleasure to have an image used on a book cover.

Thomas Frank - Sports Portrait

A recent portrait of Brentford Football Club’s manager Thomas Frank. Frank has been highly successful in the past couple of Premium League seasons. We shot at the clubs stadium in West London.

As a sports portrait photographer I wanted to capture the personality and control with which Frank has conducted himself since being in charge.