Tim Bret-Day
Tim Bret-Day, a renowned photographer in the realms of fashion and advertising, has a career spanning over four decades, filled with original, vibrant, and meticulously detailed work that never fails to surprise.
His dynamic photography, marked by vivid and surreal depictions, garners admiration across the music, fashion, and advertising industries on a global scale, etching iconic images for a multitude of brands and artists.
Influences behind his work range broadly, from renowned surrealists like Max Ernst of the 1930s to the vivid imagery of Hieronymus Bosch's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights', reflecting the wild ideas of the 1500s. Tim's inspiration, however, isn't confined to renowned artworks alone. A simple scene such as an elderly woman wearing a yellow hat on a bus to Acton can spark creative thought. He often stumbles upon forgotten notes of ideas in his pockets, remnants of fleeting moments of inspiration.
Initially aspiring to be a drummer in a band after leaving school unqualified, Tim's journey took a different turn. He started by photographing admired bands such as The Police, Adam and the Ants, The Clash, and The Stones at concerts. This led him to work as an assistant for top fashion photographers of the 1980s, sparking his love for the transient, abstract allure of fashion.
Tim went on to contribute to influential fashion and cultural magazines of that era like The Face, ID, Blitz, Harpers, Elle, and Marie Claire. His innovative work paved the way to crafting campaigns for high-profile brands such as French Connection, Issey Miyake, and Harvey Nichols.
Among his cherished collaborations is with The Sunday Times, resulting in striking portraits of celebrities like David Beckham, Grace Jones, Helena Christensen, Kate Moss, and later, David Bowie. He's also known for creating influential poster advertising campaigns for Agent Provocateur, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Nowadays, Tim values client collaboration on understanding the essence of a subject or a brand before immersing himself into the project.