John Rankin Waddell, professionally known as Rankin is a British photographer, best known as the co-founder of legendary British fashion magazines Dazed & Confused, AnOther with Jefferson Hack and founder of Hunger Magazine.
“Fashion and beauty shoots have reached a point where creative can be political and it can be printed in mainstream publications.”
What’s your typical day in London Look like?
(Rankin) I start every day with a walk on Hampstead Heath with my 3 dogs. Then the rest of the day, I will usually be shooting at my Kentish Town studio and there will be a few new business meetings and conference calls with clients in the mix too.
Favourite camera to work with these days?
(R) Currently I’m using a Hasselbald H6X with a PhaseOne digital back.
How is editorial content evolving over time?
(R) Good editorial content today is bolder, brasher and more political than ever. Fashion and Beauty shoots have reached a point where creative can be political and it can be printed in mainstream publications. I mean even Vogue is openly political now!
Where do you get the inspiration for your work?
(R) I get inspired lots of ways. I love to read, for example, so I pick things up, thoughts and concepts, which I like and then build them up with my team. RANKIN (the company not me) is all about collaboration; its a team of 80+ people working together on strategy, creative concepts and production services – working together we are redefining the advertising across platforms with multiple voices.
A person or an object you’d like to take a photo of soon?
(R) I’ve not photographed Barack Obama yet and I’d really love to.
Who is your favourite musician?
(R )Tough one. But my favorite band of all time has to be the Rolling Stones.
To discover more of Rankin’s work and recent book ‘Marco Antonio x Rankin’ visit rankinphoto.co.uk
