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240 - Robbie Lawrence

© Robbie Lawrence

Robbie Lawrence is a London based Scottish photographer and director represented by Webber Represents. Robbie is acutely attentive to the way images tell a story. Working with a painterly softness and sensitivity to his subjects, he deals in detail and nuance. From portraiture, travel and documentary to editorial work, he places the human experience front and centre to create thoughtful, abstract images, with an emphasis on narrative.

Recent books include Blackwater River and A Voice Above The Linn published by Stanley/Barker. Stills gallery in Edinburgh hosted the first UK institutional solo exhibition by Robbie in 2022, bringing together a snapshot of life post-Brexit across Scotland’s cities, rural locations and coastal towns.

Robbie’s new book, Long Walk Home, was just released (September 2024) by Stanley/Barker.

Clients Include: UN, Apple, Nike, Hermes, Gucci, The New Yorker, Du Monde, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, I-D and many others.

In episode 240, Robbie discusses, among other things:

  • His recent assignment at The Olympics

  • His internship in Paris and his time in New York

  • His relationship to painting and writing

  • Building a career to encompass commercial and personal work

  • How working commercially can be a ‘relief’.

  • His ‘macrojournalistic approach’

  • His first book project, Blackwater River

  • His second book, A Voice Above The Linn

  • Collaboration with poet John Burnside

  • His new book about the Highland Games, Long Walk Home.

  • Why he threw away years worth of work and began again

  • Working digitally with ‘manual’ lenses

  • The difference between myth and history

  • A reading from John Burnside’s essay in the book

    Referenced:

  • The Tokyo Olympiad, Kon Ichikawa

  • The French, William Klein

  • John Burnside

  • Renton’s rant on why it’s ‘shite being Scottish’ from the movie Trainspotting

Website | Instagram


This episode of the podcast is sponsored by MPB - transforming the way people buy, sell and trade in photo and video kit. An online platform for used photography and videography equipment, MPB is a destination for everyone, whether you've just discovered your passion for visual storytelling or you’re already a pro.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Charcoal Book Club. Now open! Call for entries to the 2025 annual Chico Review and publishing prize! for more information and to apply, visit

chicoreview.com

INFORM THE MIND,
INSPIRE THE SOUL


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