For International Women’s Day 2022, we wanted to let you get to know some of our staff members a little better. Liz has worked with us for over 6 years now, in our Liverpool store, where she’s recently been promoted to Assistant Manager.

 

Liz & Ludo

5 years (and a promotion!) on from our "Team Behind Wilki" Interview, we asked Liz to tell us even more about herself and share some of her favorite images.

 

Photography or videography?

Photography! I appreciate good videography, and have the knowledge, but it’s not my specialty. My passion is for stills.

 

 

 

 

Favourite genre?

I like viewing and creating fashion and beauty primarily. I love the creativity that can come from collaborations between designers, make-up and hair artists, art directors, and photographers. I also enjoy conceptual projects where the images are equally about the process as well as the results, or they challenge the basic perception of what photography is (ie. alternative processes).

 

What camera are using at the moment?

I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark III. I’ve had it for many years, and it’s always performed exactly as I’ve needed it to, but I am starting to feel the lack of some modern features (such as Wi-Fi). I’ve been waiting for the “perfect” mirrorless camera to be released before I make the switch… The Canon EOS R5 or R6 could be the one.
I also have a stack of old 35mm film cameras which I occasionally break out, but they are mostly shelf decorations these days.

 

What’s your dream camera? (if money was no object!)

Am I only allowed one?! I do love the Hasselblad X1D II 50c. There’s something so special about medium format, and it’s a beautifully designed iteration of this, but it’s not a camera for all situations. I enjoy a bit of animal and wildlife photography, so a fast frame rate is necessary for this, something the newer Canon mirrorless cameras can offer.

If we’re talking about actual dream cameras, then a pocket-sized full-frame camera, with a 24-600mm f2.8 lens would be amazing. Sadly, physics would not allow this!

Do you face any challenges as a woman in this field?

More than is acceptable in this century. Photography is still very much a male dominated field and there are plenty of people that fail to see that women contribute a large amount to the industry but are extremely under-represented. Personally, I am often challenged over my knowledge and experience, as people still don’t expect the level of expertise I have to offer, from a woman.

I often must “prove” myself, which can be very frustrating when my male colleagues are not subjected to the same doubts, especially with having 34 years’ experience of using cameras.

 

What is your greatest achievement or proudest moment?

Graduating with a First-Class Honours Degree (Photography) at age 34, with a commendation from the university. This led to discovering my current process of hand embroidering my prints, something I have become known for. It’s not an exclusive process but the combination of being the photographer and stitcher is quite unusual. Just don’t ask me to sew on fabric… this is not something I can do!

I’m also very proud of the exhibitions I have been included in (alongside heroes such as Roger Ballen) and those I have curated myself.

And finally… your biggest influence?

Kate Bush, and my Pacific Parrotlet, Ludo.

Kate’s music has been with me since I can remember (3 or 4 years old), and I still find it inspiring. Ludo is a recent addition to my life, and I couldn’t be more in love! He brings me so much joy and I adore taking pictures of him daily for his Instagram followers.

 

You can see more of Liz’s photography or get your daily dose of Ludo the parrotlet on Instagram:

@lizjearyphoto

@ludo_parrotlet

 

This is one of a series of profiles and interviews for International Women’s Day.

You can see them all here.

#BreakTheBias #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2022