Movers & Shakers > The Photography Of Jon Lilley

The Photography Of Jon Lilley

by Cary

What inspired you to pick up a camera?

I have worked in advertising for 20 years, since starting as a junior copywriter at Bartle Bogle Hegarty. BBH's print work was always beautiful and soon I was working on projects with some of London's top professionals photographers. People like Russell Porcas, John Turner, Malcolm Venville and numerous others. Over the years I made the transition from writer to art director and then recently to photographer.

What particular challenges do you face with Pinup photography as opposed to other genres?

I think much of the challenge is to come up with new concepts within the genre. Of course everyone has a slightly different view of what pin-up is: some see it as a more retrospective genre than others - I don't.

Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?

I'm a heretic, I don't really care. But I DO shoot on digital.

How did you become interested in Pinup style?

I am a regular at the Ace Cafe and used to hang around the rock scene when I was younger so I always aware of it. I guess I just felt it was an area of photography which I had a particular feel for.

Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?

I hope so. I think everything Burlesque is massively more popular than it used to be as it seen as being empowering to women, and I think it is making pin up more popular too.

I also see a lot more fetish work in the mainstream. People are becoming more open about it and a lot of mainstream pop acts such as Lady Gaga 'flirt' with much of the imagery.