A street photographer who has taken the portraits of more than 500 Nottingham faces said he was inspired by his father who bought him his first lens to start shooting.
Phil Howcroft, 68, from Nottingham, worked in IT before he retired and started amateur photography in September 2015.
“I’ve always loved photography, but it wasn’t until I retired that I had the time to make it a hobby,” he said.
Phil joined a camera club to learn the basics but didn’t start photographing strangers initially.
He started by participating in photography projects, and quickly realised he had a natural skill for taking photos.
But it wasn’t until an event in his personal life where he discovered his passion for portraits.
“My dad was very ill, and I drove quite a way to go and see him. Instead of paying for my petrol, he bought me a 50mm camera lens like the ones portraits are taken with,” he said.
Phil recalls his first ever portrait he took, which was of an ex-miner at a steampunk event in Bestwood.
“I was definitely nervous, but as soon as I hit the shutter button, it clicked that this was something I was really passionate about,” he recalled.
Phil’s main outlet to showcase his work is Instagram, where he has built a following of more than 1,000.
His recurring series ‘100 strangers’, which now has six chapters (over 600 portraits) regularly gets engagement of close to 100 likes.
The Bolton Wanderers’ fan said photography has made him a bold, more confident person.
He said: “I am a very shy man at heart, but doing this has improved my people skills, and made me a more confident, well-rounded person.”
Phil acknowledges that the presence of the camera round his neck may contribute to his more self-assured approach with strangers.
“Sometimes I get told no, but it happens very rarely.
“I don’t take it to heart, I smile and say thanks for your time, then I walk away”, he said.
Mr Howcroft is married and owns a black and grey whippet called Elsie, who has her own Instagram account under the handle ‘Elsie_the_wanderer’.
Phil explained how Nottingham is a special place to do street photography.
“It’s so diverse, inclusive and colourful.
“You get people from all walks of life, I’ve just met a French ice hockey player who let me photograph him,” he added.
“I’ve photographed people who are trans, white, Asian, black and homosexual.
“Everyone’s different, and I love it,” he said.
Speaking on her husband’s photography, Phil’s wife Jane said: “Photography always makes Phil smile, he really loves it and I think he’s found his calling.”
Reflecting on his journey in amateur photography, Phil said he’s addicted, and can’t stop.
“I really enjoy it, I’ve found my purpose.
“Maybe I’ll stop one day when I’m in a zimmer-frame, but that’s not for a while yet I hope.”
