Jacob Lillis is a London-based photographer. Alongside his continued collaborations documenting the journey of artists and designers, Jacob has spent years capturing stories from his Northern hometown. Family traditions and sentimental moments that connect Jacob to his heritage are recurring themes throughout his personal work. This approach extends into wistful landscapes and unkempt nature, representing the forgotten beauty that grows around us. Jacob’s work has been published in titles including; Le Monde, NYTimes, World of Interiors, Financial Times and Dazed.

How did you first get into photography? Was there a specific moment or person that inspired you to pick up a camera?

I began by photographing my friends when they were skating. One of them was studying photography at college and introduced me to the darkroom.

You've worked with some of the biggest names in fashion. Can you share how you landed your first major gig and what that experience was like?

Vice magazine had seen some of my photos on Tumblr, I was living in Leeds at the time. They asked me to come down to London and do a shoot for them which was exciting.

Your collaboration with Simone Rocha is quite prominent. How did this partnership begin, and what do you enjoy most about working together? 

We met a few times through friends and it was evident that photography was something we both appreciated. Simone invited me on a trip to Ireland where we explored the lanes and streets where she grew up, which drew parallels with my home town in Yorkshire.

Simone finds ways to give my photography a purpose within her collections, through using them as prints on her clothing or backdrops in her stores.  I love photographing her collections and the freedom our collaboration has given me to work in a way that we both find sensitive and romantic. 

Your work often has a vintage feel. What draws you to this aesthetic, and are there any particular eras or styles that inspire you?

To be honest I don’t try to create a vintage aesthetic,  but I am drawn to moments that feel sincere and nostalgic. These moments do tend to look like an old postcard or photograph from our past.

How do you balance your commercial projects with your personal photography? Do you find that one influences the other?

My personal photography massively influences my commercial work. I need a connection to a project to get the most out of it for myself. Drawing influence from my personal work and life is important to me, I find that hard to switch off.

How does your creative process unfold for your more personal, everyday shots? How do you choose your subjects, and do you focus on creating a particular story or emotion?

Usually a personal series comes quite naturally.  My personal work can take days or years to produce and the connective dots form naturally over time. 

In a world where digital tech is constantly changing, how do you think the role of photography is evolving? Do you feel that what it means to capture a moment is evolving as well?

For commercial work, yes, I think it is evolving quickly. We are all expected to produce work at a rapid pace to keep up with social media and shorter attention spans. I try to maintain a pace which feels natural to me, to allow myself to find what I seek in a photograph.

What advice would you give to young photographers trying to break into the industry today?

Take your time and notice the small details. Try to shoot a wide range of moments, and don’t just focus on one thing. The way you put your work out is so important. Be humble and stay true to what you want to do.  

What can we expect to see from you in the future? Can you give us a sneak peek into any current projects you're working on?

I am currently putting together a series which I have photographed over the last 10 years and documents myself and my family's shared experience and connection surrounding a food narrative.

Let’s wrap-up with a fun twist. Complete the sentences with the first thing that comes to mind!

A perfect day for me starts with lay in and ends with an episode of Louis Theroux. 

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with wool. 

When I'm not behind the camera, you can find me cooking a 50 year old recipe.