Behind the scenes with Respair at Konk Studio, London
Andrey at the piano, Konk Studios
THE STORY DETAILS:
What: Behind the scenes with Respair
When: December 2023
Where: Konk Studios, North London
…Behind the scenes in the music studio
Respair in the studio
I recently spent a cold, dark, December afternoon tucked away in Konk Studios with the out-of-this-world talented band Respair. They asked me to come to their EP recording session and capture them rehearsing and setting up. I was given complete freedom to move around the space and shoot however I wanted. It was a miserable and wet day outside, so stepping into a cozy and low lit studio with some jazz piano tinkling in the background felt like being embraced in a warm hug.
Around Konk Studio
We had a slow start to the session - jazz musicians are a relaxed bunch! - and there was misplaced equipment and forgotten drum heads to contend with anyway. I was happy with a slow start; I got to explore the space, test my settings, and have a good chat with Segun and Andrey about how the afternoon would work and the type of images we were aiming for. Konk Studios was set up by The Kinks and you can just sense the energy of all the amazing artists who have worked in that space as you walk around. As a musician myself, I felt like I was in a hallowed space and I definitely leaned into that feeling in order to harness some of that energy in my own work. Not only that, but all the members of Respair ooze with creative energy, and the dark wood panelling, shadowy corners and moody lighting definitely lent itself to their eclectic look and sound. Head over to this instagram behind the scenes reel to get a feel of the song they were recording that day.
Everything in this gallery was shot documentary style whilst the band went about their rehearsal EXCEPT for these next five shots. We had a quiet five minutes and Segun and Milo were stood talking near this standing lamp. They needed absolutely zero persuasion to move around in the light for me, and I enjoyed playing with their placement in the light and my exposure settings to create some portraits with different feelings.
You know when you spend time with creative people, and you just feel a VIBE? That was this shoot. Four incredible musicians, all uniquely talented and completely individual characters, coming together and producing a sound world you can just get lost in. With that as my soundtrack, I got completely lost in the magic of their music and the space, and went to town on making the most of the different lighting situations, reflections, and their personalities.
Thanks to Segun, Milo, Andrey and David for letting me peek into their creative world, and for trusting me to follow them around at close quarters all afternoon! I can’t wait to hear the EP when it is finished and know that I got to be there as it all came together. A really special experience for me, and I really love the photographs, too!
“Thank you so much for the unbelievable photos! You really captured some beautiful and intimate moments”
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