An Interview with HJK Photography by Jesse Cather-Long

Jesse Cather-Long
Jun 7, 2023
5 min read

Updated: 22 hours ago

*Fig 1: Harley and Alex, 2023, HJK Photography*

HJK Photography is Harley Kohl, pictured here with his husband (and assistant) Alex.

Photographing an array of subjects, from landscapes, to newborn and pet photography, Kohl is an accomplished photographer, being featured in many photography magazines, including more recently the Pretty Little Poser, Framed, and Memorable Moments magazines. Here, he answers some general questions about his career, and his world of photography. Kohl has a distinguished style in both shots and editing techniques, preferring his landscapes with a darker theme, making designs within both man-made and natural architecture pop. His portrait work however, uses bright colours, and always natural smiles showing on his clients.

*Fig 2: Kohl, 2023, Waves Crashing in Portland*

Jesse Cather-Long: How has it felt being featured in so many magazines recently?

Harley Kohl: It’s honestly felt a little crazy being featured in one magazine let alone so many. I’m incredibly thankful to have my photos chosen to be in the magazines.

JC-L: How did your career move from hobby photography to being a featured photographer?

HK: I moved from hobby photography to a featured photographer when I started getting more work coming in, it was always a dream to be able to do this as a career.

JC-L: What is your favourite thing to photograph, and why?

HK: My favourite thing to photograph is wildlife. There are a few reasons why. 1 is that i love the challenge of trying to capture something in motion and the reward when you see it on the screen that perfect shot, along with all the other silly and very blurry ones with it. 2 the calm of waiting for that perfect moment to come along the silence.

JC-L: What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?

HK: My favourite piece of equipment is my 50mm lens, its incredible light weight and has a fast shutter speed to capture almost anything. It is brilliant for dogs and newborn photography. I used it in all but my wildlife photography. It especially works well with flowers as it blurs everything out of the main focus square.

JC-L: What research do you do before a shoot?

HK: For research I honestly use Pinterest for a lot of my shoots. It gives so many examples of photos to give great inspiration that I can create my own ideas and style.

JC-L: What is your favourite editing software?

HK: My favourite editing software is Lightroom. It is the only thing I use as I cull through and do any adjustments that may need doing. I find it does everything I need it to.

JC-L: How do you make your clients feel comfortable in front of the camera?

HK: I make my clients feel comfortable in different ways depending on the shoot. For children I carry around this little device that hides in my hand and when you squeeze it, it makes fart noises. For adults I usually joke with them and get them laughing by being silly.

Fig 5, Kohl, 2023, Mother and Daughter Time

JC-L: What are the essential characteristics of a successful photographer?

HK: My essential characteristics for a successful photographer are to be patient, very patient no matter which shoot you’re doing. To be fun and approachable and be open to ideas.

JC-L: What photographers have influenced your work?

HK: I do not have many photographers that have influenced me. I have two main landscape photographers which I am in awe of and hope to one day get to their level. Both are based near me in Dorset and Hampshire but they are Jack Lodge and Matt Pinner.

JC-L: How do you handle a client who has an entirely different vision of what they want compared to what you think would look best?

HK: This one can be tricky. If the client has an entirely different vision on a shoot you have to be careful not to clash heads. I’ve been lucky to not really have to experience this in the work I have done. A lot that come to me love my style and just let me go about my business. I have only had one experience like this and it was during a wedding. The bride wanted getting ready photos, once dressed she wanted a wide angle shot with me on the floor looking up at the dress and her. Now this made her look massive and was very unflattering. But I took the photo she asked for and said I love the idea of what you are looking for but can I try something a little different. She luckily agreed, a quick lens change and a different angle with my shade and sun on my side she got a lovely all dress photo without me being on the floor. She was happy with the outcome.

JC-L: Among all your work as a photographer, which is your favourite and why?

HK: This is a hard question. I usually have one favourite photo in each shoot that I have. However I do have two that have stuck with me. One was at Corfe castle. It was in the winter just after it opened and because it was raining no one else was on the site for at least an hour and I got a complete free run of the ruins. I managed to get this lovely photo where I am looking through one of the old windows looking up at the remains of the castle. The contrast was just right. Because of the rain and the white sky I changed the photo to black and white and it’s been a favourite ever since. My second favourite photo was taken in spring last year. I’d had a stressful week at work and I decided to chase the sunrise earlier Saturday morning but also fancied a swim. So I took my camera and swimming stuff and off I went. When I arrived the sun was just peaking over the horizon and it was hitting the sea so perfectly I had to get in just to capture it on the waves. I waited there in the ocean for the sun to rise a little higher and the ocean to calm around to capture a photo I truly love.