Meet Photographers Harvey Shepherdson-Beck and Justyna Paulina Cymuta
We meet Harvey and Justyna a talented Brighton-based creative duo known for their stunning photography across food, travel, weddings, and more. In this feature, they share their journey, creative styles, and inspirations. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse of their beautiful recent photoshoot at Med in Brighton.
Sum up your work life right now.
As a working duo, the unexpected thrills between the variety of our mix of food, travel, portrait, event photography and video, keeps us on our toes and always eager to learn and see things in new ways.
What first got you hooked on photography?
We were originally hooked into the idea of showing the world a vision through your own eyes.
The idea someone can see what you see is fascinating to us.
Give us the highlights reel – how did your career take shape?
Our careers vary, from myself starting in graphic design, street photography, then into events, portraits, travel and food.
To my partner Justyna, from graphic design, into landscape photography, weddings, and then into food. It’s been an exciting journey for the both of us.
Where’s home originally, and what brought you to the UK?
I am originally from Sydney, Australia, I moved as I have family in the UK and I wanted to explore Europe. Justyna’s hometown is Elblag, a small town in northern Poland.
She moved to the UK at 16 to join her family, and has lived all over the country ever since. But now loves living in Brighton, being so close to the sea.
Best thing about running your own photography business?
We think it’s all about the connections you make with people and the community, plus the memories you can look back on through the content you create.
What do you love most about working in Brighton?
Brighton is a melting pot in the food scene and I always feel like we are only scratching the surface of what it has to offer.
I think the city has really placed itself on the map as a foodie destination.
To feel part of that and be able to show off this through photography and videography is a real honour.
What do you think makes your photography stand out from the crowd?
I believe in the food content scene, the fact we can work as a duo and mix a variety of shots and styling gives us a bit of flair, and a different perspective towards the way we approach shooting a place.
We also like to bring a human touch to our content and include the creators of the food and staff, or even just some hands and movement to the images to convey the energy of the place.
What kinds of photography do you love shooting most?
Food and drink content with our side business @hey.tastestudio is slowly becoming both our passions at the moment.
We love exploring the restaurant scenes in Brighton especially.
Was there a moment when you knew hospitality photography was your thing?
With Justyna being a big cook and cocktail maker, plus being meticulous on styling and having a sense of perfection to the look and feel of our work, I knew with my photography skills alongside this and hers on top, we were onto something special in the hospitality world.
Who’s been your biggest influence or mentor along the way?
We have always both been drawn to artists and photographers that play with colour to create their own unique visual style. Filmmakers like ‘Wong Kar Wai’ and Krzysztof Kieslowski especially in his ‘Three Colours’ trilogy had a great impact on us.
But we are also inspired by each other and local creatives in the community as well.
What’s the Harvey Shepherdson-Beck mindset – and how’s it shaped your business?
I think establishing a friendly approachable connection with your client is quite an unspoken skill that is always one of mine and my partners main priorities going into a shoot. Gaining a friendly connection with the staff and having a good attitude towards your work goes a long way!!!, and it will show in the images as well.
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you at the very start of your career?
I think we are both guilty of comparing ourselves to others. I believe we are all on our own creative journeys and see things in different ways. If I approached things more along this path initially, it may have stopped us following styles and trends in photography and allowed us to concentrate on what we really loved doing.
Got any golden rules for getting that perfect shot?
- Shoot multiple angles of the same set up before changing the layout of it. You might be surprised by what another angle gives to the composition.
- Think about your background colours and textures. Cluttered backgrounds or loud colours can distract you from the point of focus you’d like the viewer to look at.
- Colour theory is an important skill not to overlook, many colour combinations work better than others, and sometimes setting up your shot in a particular place will look much better.
What did little Harvey and Justyna want to be when they grew up?
Growing up I was always headed down a creative path, I was heavily into music and then fell into graphic design, I thought I was either going to be a musician or a designer. Justyna had a similar journey, with a love of drawing and painting at an early age, to then picking up an old film camera which sparked her photography journey.
What trends or changes in photography are catching your eye right now?
At the moment we are both seeing a large uprising in film photography. We both have a strong love for this ourselves and love the look and colours it has to offer.
What’s coming up next for you and the business?
We have a food photography shoot at a restaurant based on the waterfront soon in Brighton we are keen to do, plus also have travel plans to shoot a wedding in ‘Provence’ France later in the year we are very excited about.
Favourite food or drink spots in Brighton and Hove?
Bayon Bakery : The pastries and coffee here are mouth-watering, it’s a regular for us
Wabi Sabi: The perfect cute little Japanese spot for a bento box, a must visit.
Modelo Lounge: We love Tapas Tuesday’s here, it’s good value and the dishes are very tasty.