In Conversation with Mr. Wattson

Could you start by sharing a bit about your journey into photography?

My interest in photography came relatively late in life. The first time I picked up a camera, I was already 26 years old. I was working a dead-end job, and a friend of mine let me use his camera because he needed headshots. It took some getting used to, but from the moment I clicked my first shutter, I fell in love. It felt natural. Immediately, I wanted to know everything I could about the craft. I became obsessed. I knew that a camera could be a potential passport to any world I was willing to discover. Another photographer put me on to a documentary called Everybody Street, which introduced me to master street photographers like Elliott Erwitt, Jill Freedman, Bruce Gilden, and Joel Meyerowitz. For about a year, all I did was watch photography documentaries and browse through hundreds of photography books. I was inspired by the different styles of work and the fact that everyone had the same instrument but such a different perspective. Over time, I began to develop my own style—one that’s ever-evolving but still true to its essence.

Your recent trip to Peru involved capturing its vibrant landscapes and people. What aspects of your photographic style helped you approach such a rich cultural setting?

I feel like in my near-decade of shooting, my style and approach to photography have changed, but the identity of my work has stayed the same—if that makes sense? I believe that is a common experience in any artistic evolution.

I’ve always created with the thought of a series or body of work in mind. When I first started, all I wanted to do was shoot street and pursue documentary work. I was inspired by photographing the decisive moments of everyday life or the happenings of subcultures—in other words, capturing worlds that I would normally never find myself in.

As I progressed further into my career, I became more interested in portraiture and capturing people who inspired me: celebrities, CEOs, designers, inventors, and other influential people. I passionately pursued this for five years like an obsessive scavenger hunt until COVID forced me to slow down.

More recently, I have found that travel is what inspires me most. I like to capture different cultures and indigenous people, as cliché as that may sound. This ultimately makes sense, considering that in my early adolescence, I would steal the National Geographics from my elementary school library. I was in special education and had no interest in reading or writing, but I would marvel at the pictures, discovering that there was a whole world outside of my small suburban hometown.

Given the wide range of subjects in your portfolio—from portraits of renowned artists to dynamic street photography—how do you maintain a fresh perspective while capturing the many layers of your artistry across different genres?

I think being an artist is a cycle. There is an evolution. I’m not the same shooter I was six years ago, and I’m not the same person I was six years ago, either. I think as we grow, different things inspire us. The biggest thing is to love what you do and do what you love—it shines through in whatever you’re doing. It’s the passion that keeps it fresh.

Peru is known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. What was it like to experience these firsthand, and how did you work to convey the spirit of the people and places you encountered?

Peru has truly become one of Heather, my fiancée’s, and my favorite places. The people are so hospitable and generously kind. The culture is rich and runs deep, especially in the Andes—you can feel the spiritual essence of the people in the land, overflowing from its ancestral lineage. I have always preferred to go off the grid and explore, and I felt Heather and I were able to do that. We were able to capture the essence of the natives as well as shoot street scenes and capture the markets. It was my first time trying to capture moments as they were taking place with a studio light—the Profoto B10X and a 2′ octo. I feel like people did not know what the flash was, so to them, it was just a guy with a camera and some weird contraption. But I really felt like I was able to get authentic street shots in a unique and fresh way.

Connecting with people while photographing can be challenging, especially in a place as culturally unique as Peru. How did you approach this and build trust with the people you photographed?

In my opinion, if you want to get to know someone, treat them as if they are the most important person in the world. Be genuine and honest in your approach, and ask them about themselves. Nothing disconnects interactive energy more than when someone wants to steal all the air. Be a better listener—it makes for better photos. That’s how I try to approach everyone.

I hope that you can feel the essence and spirit of its people—their kindness, love, and compassion. I hope it gives you a glimpse into their everyday life and how they operate on a humanistic level.

Looking back, did this experience in Peru shape or inspire you as a photographer in any new ways? Were there any unexpected lessons or discoveries you took home?

I would say yes; this trip allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone in many ways. Photographing on a new system was a challenge in itself. I’d never shot with Fujifilm before, so getting the settings down and learning the camera took some patience, but it was well worth it because the reward was some of the highest-quality images I’ve ever captured. Another aspect of my trip that inspired me was shooting street photography with the GFX paired with studio lighting. It’s a little unorthodox, but it helped me push the envelope on what is possible and forced me to create in ways that were entirely new to me.

Absolutely. Heather and I love going off the beaten path. During our trip, she connected with locals in Cusco and found a guide who took us to a remote village. It was a three-mile hike from the end of a dirt road, led by a local man in traditional dress with a llama carrying our gear. Along the way, we came to a natural bridge over a stream, and the scene was unreal—quiet, calm, spiritual. I posed the man with his llama for a photo, and it’s easily one of my favorites from the trip. It was the essence of Peru.

Mr. Wattson is a distinguished photographer, artist, and designer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has collaborated with numerous prestigious brands, including Bulgari, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Coca-Cola, Moncler, and Staple Pigeon. His work has been featured in several publications and acquired by private collections.
Wattson possesses a unique talent for capturing subjects, skillfully evoking human emotion through his art. His distinctive aesthetic and iconic style have set him apart in the creative community.

Discover more of Mr. Wattson’s incredible work and follow his journey through his website and social media:

• Instagram
• Photography Instagram
• Website