An immaculately dressed equestrian beneath a pink sky: John Boaz’s finest {photograph} | Artwork and design

When I used to be about 16, I went to Bradgate Park in Leicestershire with a few pals. We have been there as sundown approached and the panorama turned illuminated by lovely golden-hour mild. There have been deer and stags throughout and I requested one in all my pals if I may borrow his digital camera. It will need to have been fairly annoying for him as a result of I keep in mind wandering off, making an attempt to seize this sense of thriller and magic.

That was the second I first actually felt a way of pleasure for images and image-making. Before then, I’d visited many museums and artwork galleries with my mum and was impressed by among the artwork we noticed. I used to be notably drawn to portraits by Vermeer and Rembrandt. I’ve by no means been good at drawing or portray, however having a digital camera gave me a instrument to specific that inventive power.

While learning images at college, I used to be launched to mind-blowing work, like Alec Soth’s e book Sleeping by the Mississippi. I used to be struck by his portrait of a man holding a pair of model aeroplanes. There’s a simplicity to the picture, nevertheless it’s additionally highly effective and visually hanging. I felt drawn to narrative-based documentary portraiture.

For my final-year venture, I hung out in monastic communities round Britain, making portraits of nuns, monks and different individuals I encountered inside them. That branched out into one of many three long-term tasks I’m at the moment engaged on, Rivers of Living Water, a wider-ranging collection in regards to the Christian religion in Britain, and the varied nature of its cultures, denominations and views.

Fabian, who you see on this {photograph}, is somebody I discovered on Instagram. I used to be impressed by his story of rising up in inner-city east London, the place it was laborious for him to pursue his love of horses. He persevered and now competes in eventing competitions, decided to assist improve inclusivity within the equestrian group. He’s set himself the objective of changing into a five-time Olympic gold medallist.

This was taken in Hertfordshire, close to the stables Fabian was utilizing, on a January morning final yr. Initially, I went to {photograph} him a couple of months earlier than and whereas we had acquired some good photos the sunshine wasn’t nice and we agreed to strive once more later. On this event, simply earlier than dawn, we acquired this comfortable pink sky and the sector was nonetheless coated with lovely morning frost. Fabian seems unbelievable in that outfit and the horse, Morgan, additionally seems superb.

My most popular method is to take issues slowly and spend time with my topic, create a relaxed power and seize a way of who they’re. I not often use movie now, however my approach is knowledgeable by having used it – I don’t take a number of images, however as an alternative wait till there’s a second of stillness and peace.

I like pure mild: numerous my work makes use of night or morning mild or mist. There’s one other shot of Fabian taken about an hour after this one which I’m equally pleased with. By then, the frost had principally gone however the rising winter solar created sturdy shadows and a hotter tone. In each instances, I didn’t need the images to seem staged, I wished one thing easy and real.

I selected to {photograph} Fabian as a result of I discovered his story attention-grabbing and galvanizing. These portraits are about him and his equestrian journey. They are additionally included within the Rivers of Living Water collection. The venture encompasses spirituality, peace and serenity, however not each picture is clearly non secular. There are many who present individuals going about their on a regular basis lives. My method is at all times to attempt to be respectful and to honour the individuals I {photograph}. It’s a method of exploring my very own private religion, too.

John Boaz’s CV

Born: Northamptonshire, England.
Trained: Visual communication diploma at Birmingham City University.
Influences: “Paintings are a major inspiration for my work and music, too, helps me develop ideas. I’d name Alec Soth, Alys Tomlinson and Bryan Schutmaat as inspirational.”
High level: “Being one of the winners of Portrait of Britain Volume 7 and having one of my portraits as the front cover of the book. Also having my work selected to be part of this year’s Royal Photographic Society International Photography exhibition.
Low point: “I sometimes have creative low moments when I feel drained and not inspired or motivated but this does not last long, thankfully. This year a low point was not being chosen as a finalist in the Belfast Photo festival – however Rivers of Living Water was shortlisted so I am grateful for that.”
Top tip: “Stay true to who you are and make work you feel led to make. Be inspired by others but do not compare your work in a negative way to them. Be kind and supportive to other artists/photographers’ work and their journey.”