Helen Kirkbright

Helen Kirkbright is a Manchester based photographer, with a great eye for details that others would normally not notice. Be that unusual characters on the street, an old graffited drinks machine, or an interesting signpost. She is also currently currently working on a series of fashion photography. When browsing Helen's photographs, one is transported across the world and almost feels like they have visited the places she captures on film.

What got you into photography? My parents have a big box of old family photos and I used to sit for hours looking through it. Some were from when I was a child so they brought back memories but most of them were from before I was born. I liked the way you could learn about people you had never met but also I loved being able to see people through new eyes and see what they were like before I met them. For example who my mum was before she was 'my mum'.

Which of your own photographs is your favourite? Hmmm, that is a hard one but I would say this one (above)

What were you like as a child? You would have to ask my mum really but she would probably say I talked a lot and I was a fussy eater! I had a lot of tantrums too, mainly about not wanting to go into British Home Stores.

Who are your favourite photographers? I really like cinematic style pictures so I love photographers like Jeff Wall and Phillip Lorca Di Corcia

What cameras do you use? For digital work I use my Nikon D300 but I still love my old film camera which is an Olympus OM II.

What are your ambitions with regards to your photography? I would just like to be able to earn a living from photography and to continue to produce work that I like. In the short term I would like to get more work published in magazines etc and a few more exhibitions. In the long term I would like to travel more.

Who or what would you most like to photograph? At the moment I am dying to go to America. I'd love to just hang around for a few months taking pictures.

Who is your favourite author? I read a lot so its another tough one but at the moment I would say Hanif Kureishi and Graham Greene.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I used to tie a ribbon on a stick and pretend I was a rhythmic dancer. I soon realised this wasn't a viable career option.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in a place called Bury in north Manchester.

What, or who inspires you? Enthusiastic people. I really like learning about things from people who are really obsessed with them. I also really to hear about people who take a risk to do what they love. Photographically I am really inspired by films. I love films like The Shining, Lost in Translation and more recently A Single Man purely because you could pause them at any moment and there would be an amazing photography on screen.

What are your favourite blogs? Kisses and Crossstitches and Fanciful Photography obviously. I'm also a bit of a Facehunter addict. My absolute favourite is 'It's Nice That' though which features all different kinds of artists.

What music do you listen to? Bowie, Iggy Pop, Belle & Sebastian, Bob Dylan, Broken Social Scene, Talking Heads, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Hole, The Cure, Electrelane, Kings of Convenience, Whitest Boy Alive, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Hall & Oates, Lou Reed, Velevet Underground, Panda Bear, Prince, Radiohead, Kate Bush, Rolling Stones, Stereolab, The Walkmen, White Shoes & The Couples Company, Womack & Womack, Buzzcocks...... lots more but that will do for now!

Helen's blog