LeftLion photographer Louise Clutterbuck has taken some time out from greeting pooches to create a cover and poster for this issue...
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I'm just a Nottingham girl who loves taking photos and I can't stop myself from saying hello to every dog I see. My favourite things to photograph are people. There's so much you can convey with a portrait – there are so many moments and emotions to capture.
What was the inspiration behind the cover?
We wanted a little twist on the comedy theme, to bring in something different to just a standard funny photo. Halloween was definitely on the mind too!
How does it compare with some other projects you’ve worked on?
It was definitely the creepiest! Especially when there was just a spotlight on, not being able to see off the stage and knowing that somewhere in the theatre a clown was sat watching me. I prefer to be able to keep my eye on people I'm photographing.
How do you feel about clowns?
Terrified! For as long as I can remember I've been scared of clowns, which isn't fun. Especially since IT has been remade and it's being posted everywhere. I like to avoid them at any cost.
What was the biggest challenge that you faced in creating the piece?
Probably trying not to run away or asking for the lights to be turned on. Then having to process the photos – I would prefer not to have to look at a clown for a couple of hours.
Tell us about some projects you’ve worked on in the past…
I've been looking to improve my gig photography over the last couple of years and have tried to get myself out there for different types of shows. On the back of that, I've done a lot of work on the drag scene in Nottingham which has been a lot of fun. The live shows are always entertaining and full of surprises. My favourite part is getting to photograph the queens that I've met on a one-to-one level in the studio and finding a way to showcase their personalities.
What have you got planned for the future?
I'm planning to continue to grow my knowledge in different areas of photography and start a couple of new portrait projects along the way. I'd love to make a start on other ideas I have in my mind and put myself out there more.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell LeftLion readers?
I've been trying to use Instagram to showcase my work more – you're all welcome to check it out. Plus, please don't dress as a clown for Halloween!
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