Most of the time I’m photographing around Poland, Ukraine, Russia, but in my spare time I write. On this occasion, a posh luxury yacht magazine commissioned me to write about a superyacht builder.
Though the article was in some ways a bit critical, the superyacht builder couldn’t have hated it too much because they got in touch and asked me to write brochures and other PR materials for them. I was invited along to the launch party of their latest superyacht. Though I had my writing hat on, I took my camera along. In between gulps of booze I somehow managed to focus, despite seeing two of everything, and even remembered to screw together my tripod. The whole situation worked out quite profitably – the pictures earned as much as the words.
Simon Crofts used to be a lawyer in Russia, working on all sorts of projects from the space industry to oil pipelines. While he was there he took pictures in his spare time, mainly street photography. Eventually the photography took over and he ditched the law.
Simon has recently been pursuing documentary work on topics such as HIV/AIDS, and a documentary of a ballet school, and has plans for much more in the coming months. He has also been doing corporate work for the likes of the EBRD amongst others. He speaks Russian fluently, essential for working in places like the Ukraine. He lives partly in his native Edinburgh but mostly in Krakow, and works closely with his partner, Sylwia Kowalczyk, who is a photographer, illustrator and graphic designer. All this cooperation has led to a lot of work from publishing houses, such as book covers and posters.
He was awarded a Bronze in the London Photographic Awards, an Associateship of the RPS, and exhibits regularly.
He currently has an exhibition “Folks and Things” on at the Peter Potter Gallery near Edinburgh (until 22nd May 2008)
Photographer since 2003, EPUK member since 2008.
See more work by Simon Crofts
