A Photographer’s Life – part one

I read a journal post the other day that showed the working life of a photographer and I thought, gosh, yes does anyone actually know what we do on a daily basis other than take photographs. I thought I would start a series showing a glimpse into the life of a photographer – my life at least. And what better way to start than when my father came to Goodwood Festival of Speed with me last weekend courtesy of Honda UK Bikes and took photographs of me working.

So, this post is about me at work, the second (which I actually wrote before this one) is about the solitude of a working photographer. Meanwhile, this one is about meeting people and always searching for the hook to make it work… well, I suppose, this is about me dotting around chatting!

Thank you papa for taking photos of me working. I never really studied my ‘rear’ as much!

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS GALLERY ARE BY BERNARD PLATMAN (Lara Platman/Photofeature)
I met Nino from Scuderia del Portello in September 2008 when they invited me to be their photographer for the Monte Carlo Historic Rally in the coming January. They looked after me from through and through, and I am forever grateful. I still think they have the best coffee machine in any paddock. Seeing Nino and his son again after a few years absence, I was so happy, so happy to know he was well and Arturo Merzario  would be joining him as per usual. It was these gorgeous chaps who made me value the Leica M Noctilux lens, from a small previous outing at Spa 6 hours with it, the Monte Carlo Historic Rally was where I met Rauno Aaltonen at 3am in Valence, shooting with the Noctilux, shooting for Scuderia del Portello and altogether having a jolly lovely time with my new (at the time)  Leica M9.  Makes me want to call them up and say…. can we do another Monte please.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS GALLERY ARE BY BERNARD PLATMAN (Lara Platman/Photofeature)
Finding Ben Collins in a Mercedes was a surprise, I usually see him covered in mud in an old Bentley or Austin 7 trialling up a hill or sprinting up a hill climb with the VSCC. My papa and I stayed around for the sound recording they made. It was heaven to our ears and as usual, everyone clapped when the engine turned off. Always makes me laugh that this happens.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS GALLERY ARE BY BERNARD PLATMAN (Lara Platman/Photofeature)
Loved interviewing Jenny Tinmouth for a quick catch up on her year’s activities and what she will be riding up the hill.  See my last interview with her on  Gear Stick and Clutch Bag   and see my next interview with her on there too!

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS GALLERY ARE BY BERNARD PLATMAN (Lara Platman/Photofeature)
My main interview was with Maria Costello MBE for Frank magazine which will be published early August. Loved chatting to Maria, so look out for that publication soon. I daren’t say anything about what we chatted about so you’ll have to read it in the mag. All I can say is, that’s the fastest I went on the side car… this time!

Sometimes being a photographer is about waiting and just looking for the story to unfold. Sometimes you have to go and find it, and at Festival of Speed, there are so many stories waiting for you, you just need to go and open up the box to see what is within. I always take my digital Zoom H4 recorder and pink Smythson Panama notepad. I always bring lipstick and always bring a cover-up stick in case any of my subjects fancy a tickle of glamour, other than that, my photos are usually as natural as can be. (I love a spot of lipstick anyway!)

Well this is part one of a photographers life. Gawld knows when part two will surface… probably when I have a ton of edits to upload (like right now) and think  nothing else can really be started until they complete their upload… so a little diary writing occurs!

Thank you Honda UK Bikes for a great day and papa for my photos.

La
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