• New Artist: Sophy Holland

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New Artist: Sophy Holland
21.03.19

Advertising, Agency News, Art Direction, Beauty, Editorial, Fashion, Fashion Portrait, Interview, Personal Work, Photographers, Photography, Portrait, Sophy Holland, Sports


We are so excited to welcome photographer Sophy Holland to the Levine/Leavitt roster!

Sophy Holland is a British photographer and director based in NYC with over 12 years of experience in the fashion, advertising and film industry. She has photographed campaigns and editorials for brands such as Pfizer, Swarovski, MTV, Elizabeth Arden, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Marriott Hotels, Interview, Viacom and many others.

We sat down with Sophy for a moment to chat about her extensive career:

What was your career path building up to being a photographer? I originally studied painting and fashion in London, then was an agent in New York, then an art director/creative director in advertising before transitioning into directing and photography, full time.

 

How has your photography changed over time? I think with every shoot you take you should be learning something new – whether its technical or artistic. I have become more confident with finding the right shot, and I think over time I’ve developed my own POV in my photography. When we all start, we try to copy the greats- and then eventually you let go of that security blanket and try new things. I think I’ve found my own photographic voice and style now.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? And by whom? I was the creative director for Norman Jean Roy and he was the one who really helped me fall in love with photography as a medium. He pushed me to shoot my own stuff and always gave me gems that I think of to this day. The advice best was that no matter where you are, who you are shooting, or how difficult the conditions of a shoot may be, there is always a great shot to be found and its YOUR job to find it. Another piece of advice he gave, that I have taken as my daily gospel, is to shoot women as subjects and not objects. I’ve built my entire career around that ethos.

What memorable responses have you had to your work? People seem to respond really well to my work, mainly because I like to shoot people as heroes. In my head they’re all superheroes, no matter who they are. I feel like having the humanistic element to portraiture and also to fashion is something that I have specialized in. It’s not enough to take a technically good photograph, it has to have soul. I strive for that in every photo.

Who are your favorite photographers/ what artists inspire you most? Annie Leibovitz is the ultimate hero to me. No one can touch her career, in my opinion. When she retires, the game will change forever. I also admire and study the works of other photographers such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, David Bailey, Steve McCurry, Jeanloup Sieff, and Steven Meisel.

Please reach out to L/L for any questions about Sophy or if you have any projects in mind for her.