For the past three and a half years, I’ve interviewed photographers from all around the world. In each conversation, I asked the same question: What music inspires you? Through their responses, I’ve heard a wide range of music genres, from classical and electronic through to commercial and indie. In this article, I’m rounding up some of my favorites and sharing them with you.
I love music, and of course, I love photography. I’m a huge advocate for blending the two artforms together, as I believe it offers a more dynamic and immersive experience for the creator and the consumer.
With that, I encourage you to follow the links to each photographer, press play on the embedded video, and enjoy looking at their imagery while learning about their story.
Iness Rychlik
Self-portrait photographer Iness Rychlik documents life while living with a chronic skin condition. Through creative storytelling, she creates a mix of frames that incorporate patterns across her body.
On the music that inspires her creativity, she told me, “There are so many great albums to choose from, but Florence + The Machine’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful has had a special place in my heart for almost ten years.”
Elia Locardi
Travel photographer Elia Locardi is famous for his otherworldly landscapes and cityscapes. He’s a pro for a reason, with his work widely regarded as some of the best in the genre.
When we spoke about music, he said, “Music isn’t just a backdrop for my work; it’s integral to my creative journey. It reflects my mood, drives my focus, and, in many ways, sets the emotional tone for the stories I capture.” He went on to reference artists such as Imagine Dragons, Stone Sour, and Marianas Trench.
Jeremy Perez-Cruz
Based in New York, Jeremy Perez-Cruz is a Creative Director and street photographer. His frames lean slightly cinematic, combined with the realism we enjoy through candid moments.
He’s also a musician and had this to say: “It really depends on my mood and the weather. I usually put on an album (yes, I’m one of those people who still listens to albums top to bottom) when I step off the train and switch it up once that record is over.
I do know I was listening to Hostage Stamps by At The Drive In when I shot Birdwalkers.”
Rafaelle Lorgeril
French photographer Rafaelle Lorgeril is making waves in the industry through her surreal, conceptual creations. She’s a true artist and is as comfortable photographing others as she is turning the lens toward herself.
When our conversation turned to music, she explained, “I love music too, and it’s part of my everyday life… The question is so difficult because I love so many artists, but Radiohead instinctively comes to mind.”
Emily Howe
Emily Howe is one of the coolest voices in street photography. Doing most of her work in NYC, she shoots film and brings a raw, authentic style to the genre.
Her musical choice is Peggy Lee, specifically her record Is That All There Is.
Gabriel Isak
I spoke to Gabriel Isak a couple of years ago about his journey through a depressive period. He explained how he used photography and his creative mind to move into a more stable, peaceful state of being.
Music is also a major factor in his mental wellbeing and a driving force behind his work. He told me, “I listen to Ludovico Einaudi a lot when I post-produce my work, as it helps me quiet my mind and get into a flow to finish the work I’ve created.”
Łukasz Spychała
Łukasz Spychała is a portrait photographer who creates some of the strongest environmental scenes I’ve seen in the industry. They’re cinematic, rich in color, and full of out-of-the-box ideas.
Rather than pointing to a single artist, he envisions his ideas through an eclectic mix of sounds from across genres:
“I imagine a playlist that flows naturally, from soft, moody melodies full of silence and reflection, like Jonathan Bree’s You’re So Cool or Massive Attack’s Paradise Circus, to more energetic tracks that spark creativity and movement.”
Clara Garrido
Clara Garrido is a Colombian photographer with a thirst for adventure. She loves exploring the world and taking a light source with her, creating captivating light paintings with her camera.
Her music selection is inspired by her best friend Rossina Bossio, who sadly passed away. Garrido said in our interview, “[My photography] project was a way of honoring her. I would choose Gesaffelstein because of that connection.”
TwinsWildLens
TwinsWildLens are twin brothers who love all things insects. They travel the world with portable lighting and macro lenses, searching for different species. When found, they turn them into their muse, creating portraits so lovable you’ll never fear a bug again.
Music-wise, they shared Vaitimbora by Trinix and Mariana Froes, explaining, “It evokes the subtle rhythms of nature and the small wonders that we try to capture in our work, giving a sense of calm and appreciation for the world that often goes unnoticed.”
Peter Li
Fine-art photographer Peter Li has become well known for his incredible images of cathedrals. What makes them so notable is the super-wide perspective he documents from, paired with mysterious, detail-rich edits.
On how music plays into his work, he said, “I tend to work with ambient or instrumental music in the background… If I had to choose, it would be something like Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel, something calm and spacious.”
Signing Off
I hope you found the music as inspirational as the photographers who shared it. Your favorite sounds can be a powerful catalyst for deep, meaningful work that truly represents your creative capabilities. I encourage you to put your buds in, press play, and start making your frames.
More reading: The Art of Staying: What Photography Taught Me About Discomfort
Want your work featured on Them Frames? Pitch us.
