Q&A: Juliet Klottrup — Youth of the Rural North

04.05.21

Have you recently been living by any life philosophy? Yes – “You are exactly where you need to be right now.” What will baffle future generations about our day and age? How much time we spend behind screens. What is it that interests you about photography Photography is an opportunity to extract a specific moment into a tangible recordable image. It won’t record everything but it prompts memories and feelings. What is the worst thing about city life? The expense. What part of the planet would you like to explore? What do you think is the most plausible of the supernatural? Energy is never lost. If you had to align yourself with a leader in history, who would it be? Pick a field of science to be an expert within. What moment have you most wished you’d had a camera when you hadn’t? There have been occasions in my life when I have elected not to photograph but to be present in the moment. I remember those times so vividly it compensates for having not photographed them. Choose a job you would be willing to do for free on the side. Making personal creative work. Describe the most important photo you’ve seen. Our last group family photograph the summer of 2011 ❤️. How often do you take other people’s advice? Too often but I’m always passing it on to the next person. Describe a personal hell. Being late and not having a clear plan on arrival.

Which living person do you most admire? My Mum she’s my number one. What is the best way to educate yourself? To listen. I have more conversations than I can ever read books, there’s so much to gain to from actively listening fully to someone and really hearing them. I call it ‘careful company’. What is the next book you want to read? Ottolenghi’s ‘Flavour’ cook book. Ultimate camera? An early 90’s little 35mm Minolta, it’s been passed down to me. It’s got a flash, auto focus, it’s super light, it’s shot Christmases, parties, weddings, campaigns, it’s a workhorse, I love it and I should really get a better case for it. Most used camera? My IPhone is constantly capturing the archives, there’s never enough storage. What object do you want? Film. What object do you need? Film. How would you explain the internet to someone from the 1950’s? It’s an encyclopedia in a box you can ask it a question and it will give you an answer. You’ll have all the trivia you’ll ever need, infinitely updating but not all of it true. Are you satisfied with your level of physical strength? Describe a cheap thrill. The glorious hustle of eBay where most of my goods are lovingly scavenged. Pick a historic moment from the last hundred years to bring a camera to. My parent’s wedding. Are impulses more important than consequences? Impulses – but you have to consider the consequences. Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to understand and speak every language. What is your plan for the next 24 hours? Painting.

‘Youth of the Rural North’ is an on going project capturing portraits and voices of young people living in rural communities in the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria.

Youth is fleeting and rural living is fragile, particularly now; as traditional heritage evolves it is therefore important to capture what is here, while it is here.

Parts of the landscape have been untouched for generations and routines unchanged. This project focuses on portraits of the
local community; farmers, fell runners and mothers-to-be. Place and personal identity are closely intertwined.

These portraits are serendipitous moments from encounters captured when walking, they are my neighbours.

The collection is a tribute to the young people who allowed me to capture their portraits so truthfully and sincerely and an ode to our landscape.

Juliet is a visual artist working primarily as a photographer and director, shooting for fashion, documentary and music. Commissioned by clients such as Barbour, Vice and Nikon, Juliet graduated with a First Class Honours in Illustration at Brighton University then embarked on a creative career. Her work examines the emotional connection between people and places, searching for the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary.

To see more of Juliet Klottrup’s work visit — julietklottrup.com / Instagram.