Irish-based lifestyle photographer James Horan has made quite the transition lately. Not only did he completely overhaul his brand—moving away from photojournalism over to quirky commercial/editorial portraits—but he also literally moved to the land down under: Australia. In part two of our expatriate series, I caught up with James to discuss his transition to Oz.
– Maria Luci
Where are you from originally?
I’m from a little place in Ireland called Limerick, it’s a big place if you’re from there.
Why did you become a photographer?
Way back when I had hair, my Dad gave me my first camera, a Canon AE-1 program, and taught me how to print. We used to spend lots of time together shooting in the streets. I finished art school in 1998 and started working with a national news photography agency.
How would you describe your photographic style?
A little bit country, a little bit rock n Roll. At the beginning of my career I was heavily influenced by serious documentary/photojournalism and have slowly drifted into quirky editorial portraits. I’m way too silly to be a serious photojournalist.
How did you end up in Australia?
In 2003, I went to Sydney for a month-long holiday to meet up with my brother, who was backpacking at the time. We bought an old car and headed north with no real plan. I fell in love with Australia and decided to stay for a while. For the next four years I worked as staff photographer with News Ltd newspapers. The highlight of working in Australia has to be meeting my lovely wife and partner in crime Megan—I was sent to Melbourne to shoot sport at the Commonwealth Games and met her in a bar after a very long day. Megan was working as a picture editor for the Australian Associated Press at the time.
In 2007, we decided to return to Ireland. We moved to Dublin where I contracted for Irish photo agencies and Megan worked as a picture editor for a sports photo agency. We had a great time in Ireland but decided that we both really missed the Australian lifestyle so moved back last Christmas.
Were there any challenges to opening up shop in Australia?
On moving back to Australia I decided to finish shooting news and concentrate on commercial and editorial work. Luckily for me, Australia is one of the few places not to be affected too dramatically by the global financial crisis; so no real challenges so far. But when I first moved here, I thought that Aussies really paid attention to what I was saying (everyone would stare at me while I spoke) but it turns out they were trying to lip read because they couldn’t understand a word I was saying. I have since learned to speak a lot slower.
How did you start gaining clients?
My Wonderful Machine listing really helped to get the ball rolling. Cherie from Frommer’s Travel Guides was the first to contact me. I was back in Oz a week and got a month long assignment Shooting in Tasmania for them. Awesome!
And almost immediately after that, I was in Brisbane shooting a project for a German drilling company. I also went out with my iPad portfolio and pestered people into having meetings with me. Coffee and cake helps.
What are some of the projects you’ve worked on in Australia?
I met a super cool Aussie stunt-woman, Inge Sildnik, about a year ago and pestered her until she agreed to let me shoot her with her 90 year-old-mentor and grandmother. The shoot will now appear in the next issue of Maxim Australia. Inge is currently in Africa shooting the new Mad Max movie. She is the stunt double for Riley Keough (Elvis Presley’s granddaughter).
Since I first moved here I’ve also been working on a long term personal project on Aussie Rodeo. I have decided to continue the project but just focusing on the girls. They are tough, beautiful, and I love their outfits.
Has your photography style changed since moving to Australia?
Yes, I am no longer shooting news and I’m working for myself— I’m shooting a lot of portraits now. It was a leap of faith moving away from 15 years of shooting for newspapers; I’m loving the change.
How is working in Australia different from working in Ireland?
Its really, really sunny. I had to buy a two-stop neutral density filter. Ireland already has a gigantic one hanging over it year round. It’s similar though in that Aussies are really laid back and love beer. But they’re taller and better looking.
Do you miss anything about Ireland?
A quality pint of Guinness; It’s awful here. Not sure why.
Do you plan to stay?
Hell yeah, I love it here. The weather is great, the food is amazing, the locals are friendly and the beach is a short bike ride from my house.
What advice would you give to a photographer moving to Australia?
Give me a call and lets have a beer.