Well, my name is Seth London. Born and raised in the state of New York.

I’m an 80’s baby and proud of it. I’m the oldest of what seems like a sea of siblings.

I have a master’s in forensic psychology. Some people will call that a waste because I am not technically using or working in a Behavioral Science unit. However, working with different personalities psychology is helpful.  People always laugh at this point, but I am very shy and a home body. I do have a b*tchy side. But that is only because I aim for perfection and don’t have time for people's shenanigans. 

Umm child, I feel like it was so far back “like picture it….. Sicily 1945”.  I guess we should always remember our first time. But I will say my first experience was back in high school. That’s when I found my love for photography. My yearbook was like 150, and 150 for a teenager is like 500 dollars, I promise you. I came up with an idea just to take pics of people I knew.  I got a few disposable cameras and started shooting my friends.  I was like why buy a book of people and I only know 6 percent of these folks.

I-D magazine 

British GQ

And Equinox.

My clients inspire me, I always want to give them something new. Fashion week is definitely a source of inspiration for me especially when it comes to styling. Magazines too of course! I need to see what the new wave or waves of fashion are.

It’s a real different ball game from when I started photography. Actually, a few weeks ago I was in Los Angels, USA, and this model asked me how long I had been a photographer and I said when it meant something. To circle back, when I started photography one actually had to do work. I know what a stone-age concept is in a 2022 environment ( Work). We are in a world where someone can get a booking just due to the fact, that they have 15k+ followers on social media. Yet the photographer who is really good may only have 2k followers and he or she gets passed for lil’ Timmy who has way too much money to burn. In one of my featured images, I am holding my photography portfolio book another dark age idea.  I feel it has not been updated in 7 years. I actually love this book only because I bought it Oh’ lord 8 or nine years ago in Marseille (France) for 125 euros. Which is 2022 could be an easy 160 euro. These new photographers are recreating and reinventing the rules of engagement.  I feel they inspire me. All I can tell people is to believe in your work and fight for your point of view.

A good photograph is just that GOOD !!!. It's really hard to explain. It goes back to my art breakdown. You get it or you don't. It is subjected to one’s personal taste and thought process. 

The image talks to me that how I know it's worth posting and meeting my expectations. I do cheat a little bit. I only take on assignments, that I am 105 percent sure I can execute and is on-brand. When people book me and pay their hard earn money, I leave nothing to chance.

Fighting for my rate. Again, we are in a new game, where black businesses don’t get the respect they deserve. People book a flight or go to their favorite restaurant and pay whatever is on that price card. However, when you freelance it’s like people think you are not worthy of your base rate. I go more into dept in the next question.

Well, it's a long a sad story. Whelp here it goes.  Going to keep it short. When I started getting my feet wet, one issue I faced was shooting black models.2012 was not as progressive as it is today, let me tell you. I applied to be the in-house photographer for Major Models and the head booker looked at my book and sis was not one bit impressed or moved.  After a few seconds after to composed herself; Dani ( I can say their name cause they are no longer there ) was like I like you so I will give you some advice, no one will take you seriously with a book of all black models.  Which to me was ironic because her top black model;  I shot and she loved the shot. Hence, why I was called for the interview.

Another issue, I had was the fact I shoot men. I went for a casting to shoot TI the American rapper and when I showed my book to the casting director and lead stylist;  His exact words to me were “where’s are the bitches”. In my head, I was like is TI doing drag. Why will you need to see females if the job is for a man client?  But this moment was the turning point for me. I was really hurt and defeated. I had one of those movie moments. I was in a cab coming home and I won’t lie. I was crying in the cab and I looked up and I saw three models walking. I looked at these three white girls and it dawned on me, that there are some photographers who only shoot females, who only shoot Asian, and so on. I was like I got this and I will make people see that shooting men is not a one-trick for a pony. I build my brand and knew I had something to show the world.

When I started photography I used a Nikon, now I have a canon, Sony, and Fuji MF.  People are going to judge me because I don’t have a professional photographer bag – odd I know-  but one thing I do like is a V flat and reflector even though that is more studio gear. 

Photography has come a long way so I am interested in seeing its natural evolution. I don’t know what I would change at the moment.

What has been the highlight of your career as a photographer to date? 

Every booking is a highlight. Corny I know. But it’s a highlight for me because I get to create another Seth London Original.

I  was in California in January to shoot a Hair extension ad campaign. So, please stay tuned to my IG for more – and yes that was a plug-in for my IG lol.@sethlondon_official.

This may corny or lame. But the idea anyone wants to work with me. Going back to my previous response. I come from an era where every photographer knew each other. When it was a mission to find a photographer. In 2022 u can find 20+22 photographers within a mile radius. So since it so and I do mean so many options the fact people think of me or want to work with me is so surreal. 

Actually funny when I answer this I was not aware of the fact that this experience would transpire just a few days ago while on set in ATL. I am big on family so whenever I am in ATL I am on nanny duties for my niece. Long story short she was running and she scrap her knee. So I told the client yea it’s a wrap cause she crying and I need to nurse her and give her some TLC. So this Bozo was like what about my last look?. I don’t like to break character. But I was like if you think you or that f**** look is more important than the girl in that room you are sadly mistaken. And in my mind, all I could think of is like you see a toddler crying cause she is in pain and all you can think of is a damn look he hasn’t even paid for. So I would say this is the most recent surreal moment I have encountered during a photoshoot.