10 / Roj Whitelock / Photographer
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Roj Whitelock is a talented headshot/portrait photographer based in London, England, with creative roots in advertising and marketing. We’re very proud that Roj is also an Associate Member of Headshots Matter.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My wife and I shared a day together in Trevaunance, Cornwall back in 2022 while she was still recovering from major neuro-surgery. We walked a little, relaxed and shared lunch - just enjoying the simple things, the beautiful landscape and one another's company. As we prepared to leave she said it had been her perfect day and I've never forgotten how happy I felt in that moment. For me heaven is a day with her right there.
2. What is your greatest fear or challenge?
There's always that fear that the work I'm producing isn't as good as it could be and so I'm constantly challenging myself to learn, develop and improve. I see any creative venture as a process of continual development without a natural ending, more a serious of plateaus.
3. What trait do you most value in yourself?
Hard work and determination are high on the list but ultimately it's kindness. Always try to be kind.
4. What is the trait that you most value in others?
Down to earth honesty - I honestly can't stand duplicity. For someone who's heart is often on their sleeve it's like kryptonite to me!
5. Which living person do you most admire?
My wife. She's an inspiration.
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
Right now it's recently purchasing a Mamiya RZ Pro II and shooting film. An expensive habit and perhaps something of an affectation, but hugely enjoyable and I love the aesthetic and limited margin for error which encourages a slower pace of working and real attention to detail.
7. What is your current state of mind?
Excited. My photography practice is scaling up and I'm dedicating more time to it, as well as taking on a new studio. Life feels like an adventure at the moment.
8. What do you consider to be the most underrated virtue?
Charity. We live in a greedy world.
9. On what occasion do you break the rules?
It's an interesting question these days. The rules and morality that shape our lives seem to be quite fluid. Even the notion of truth. I think it's important to question everything and to follow your own moral compass. I raised my children to understand the real value of education is an inquisitive mind. Creatively it's important to understand all the rules in great detail. How else would you know how and when to break them most effectively?
10. What do you most like about your life?
I'm thankful to be in a position where I can do something I love every day and explore my creativity. It's an incredible privilege that I don't take for granted.
11. What quality do you most enjoy in someone you work with?
Trust in everything.
12. Which words, phrases, or gestures do you most overuse?
Oh, expletives for sure. Sorry, mum!
13. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
No prizes for guessing it's my wife, Helen.
14. When and where are you happiest?
With my family or with my camera, it doesn't matter so much where we are.
15. Which talent would you most like to have?
I still have vivid dreams about being in a band. I would have loved to have been a flamboyant frontman. In reality my singing and guitar playing is pretty basic but I'm sure I could have made up for all that with gusto! I still attend gigs regularly and music has always been a passion for me.
16. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My appearance. Actually, scratch that. I'd take my own advice and change the fact that I worry about my appearance.
17. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My two beautiful daughters, but I'm stealing a lot of credit there from their mum!
18. Where would you most like to live?
We always dreamt of a home in Cornwall, but circumstances change and you learn that the most important thing isn't where you are but where you're at.
19. What is your most treasured possession?
Possessions are only things and you can't own people. If I lost all my possessions tomorrow the loss would mainly be felt among photographs and memorabilia from our lives to date. Everything else can be replaced.
20. What is your favourite way to spend your time?
Taking photographs. Everything else melts away, I enter the zone and all is well with the world.
21. Who are your heroes in real life?
I don't do heroes - we're all fallible.
22. What is your ultimate dealbreaker?
Betrayal.
23. What is your greatest regret?
I studied photography at art college and the lecturer, Billy, was quite an off-putting chap and it just didn't click for me as a result. Despite always loving cameras and taking pictures. So I came to photography seriously in my 40's and I wish we'd found and understood one another sooner. It's so important that we are encourage young people.
24. What has been your favourite journey?
We caught the ferry to Southern Ireland with nothing booked and just drove around for two weeks staying wherever the mood took us. The holiday was wild, unpredictable and beautiful - just like Southern Ireland. We came home and discovered Helen was pregnant with our first daughter.
25. What kind of legacy would you like to leave?
I'd just like to be remembered fondly. And if anyone took the occasional look at my photography that would be great.
For more information about Roj Whitelocl and his photography you can find him at: www.rojwhitelock.co.uk and also view his work on social at: Instagram and LinkedIn
