Parker Fitzgerald is a Photographer and owner at Ransom Limited. Parker recently married his now wife Melissa, in the US, wearing a bespoke Stewart Christie & Co. suit, commissioned from a distance, for his wedding
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Name?
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Parker Fitzgerald
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Occupation?
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Photographer, Creative Director
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You recently chose Stewart Christie & Co as tailors for you wedding suit. We were very proud to make it for you and to have styled the rest of your outfit. Did your wife, Melissa know you had commissioned something special? What were her thoughts on your finished design and look?
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Well to be honest, I think it was Melissa's idea to approach Stewart Christie's in the first place. I had been having a very hard time finding a suit that I didn't hate, and although I had met Dan back in March, commissioning a tailor all the way in Scotland didn't seem very practical. Melissa convinced me to reach out anyway and the rest is history!
Melissa could not have been more happy with the results. Needless to say, it's the most meaningful outfit I've ever worn and will probably ever own.
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We were delighted to work with you on your last visit to the highlands. This shoot was shot predominantly on film. Is this your prepared stock every time?
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I do my absolute best to shoot with film for each and every one of my commissioned jobs, yes. There are a few instances where digital is absolutely necessary usually because of time constraints. For everything else, I use film. The process is much more enjoyable for me when the instant gratification aspect is removed - getting a set of rolls back from the lab is often like Christmas!
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The colour and compositions that you achieve in your shots are very powerful. Can you describe the difference it makes you feel between using digital or Kodak film?
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To me, film images feel more tactile and imperfect and relatable. Digital can feel clinical, too polished and a little dead - unless you go to great lengths to processes the images in post production. Shooting a film camera also does more to keep the photographer focused on the subjects, which I think translates into the final images. I shoot with Kodak because the colors tend to be warmer - also because of a little nostalgia.
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You have many loyal and likeminded followers who are continually impressed by your work. What has been the most challenging shoot to date?
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What a tough question! I suppose it depends on which way one looks at things. In terms of production issues, I once shot a set of images for a Honda commercial that was the most work-intensive project I'd done to date. We're talking a week of 20+ hour work days. On a personal level, I think my most challenging shoot ever was with sushi master Jiro Ono. Technically, the location was difficult because it was very dark and they would not allow strobes or lights brought into the restaurant (which was located underground in a subway station). Personally, it was challenging because I have a great respect for Ono-san and I wanted to do as good of a job as possible. That one still gives me a tight stomach when I think of it, haha.
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You work closely with one of your brother's at Ransom Limited. How long have you both been working together? And what separates your skill set?
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My brother and I have been working together since early 2010. He's the brains of the operation and takes care of a lot of the ins-and-outs of the business. Over the years, though, he's developed into a very skilled shooter in his own right. We often work together, switching rolls back and forth between principle and assistant depending on the client. It's so rewarding to work that closely with family.
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How was Ransom created?
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Initially, when my brother moved to Portland and we started working together, we did everything under my name. As we progressed, that became restricting and so we founded Ransom as a way to undertake a wider number of projects, working with a wider network of professionals. It seemed like a very natural progression.
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Stewart Christie & Co., a long established company who is beginning to define itself as a brand. Combining classical craftsmanship with modern ideas, this draws certain parallels with the way you work. Do you prefer a directional modern edge or reinventing more classical ideas in your work?
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I have always been drawn towards the past and traditions - it's part of why I gravitate towards older techniques and equipment. Here now in the post-internet age, I think it's vitally important that brands like Stewart Christie grow and bring the traditions they represent into the future along with them. I can't overstate how much I respect you and Dan for what you're working to accomplish.
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You've explored Scotland both for work and personal projects, and more recently for your honeymoon! What are the top three places you have visited over all your trips?
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So so tough! I think everyone would list Skye. I know it's were all the tourists go, but it's because it is just plain gorgeous. I love that island. Another favorite is the area around Aberfeldy. There are so many great places to go walking in Perthshire. On a more personal level, the Rannoch Moor holds a very special place in my heart. I trekked across it in freezing rain during a personal walking holiday a few years back and I will never forget that experience. That was the first day I saw the Buachaille Etive Mòr, too, peaking through the fog and clouds ahead of me like some sort of Tolkienesque pyramid.
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Last but not least. Any Scottish words that you didn't understand on your trip?
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I've gotten a bit more competent picking through the thicker brogues in my travels, but gaelic is still impenetrable to me. We listened to the gaelic BBC stations while driving around on our honeymoon just because the language sounds like someone telling you secrets. So relaxing.