I decided recently that I wanted to include a new feature on the blog. This feature is all about fellow creatives and people that inspire me. I wanted to give you an insight into their passions and inspirations also with some style tips added into the mix. Hopefully they will be people to inspire you too!
Bring on the first victim, Marie-Claire Ashcroft from Fluke Photography
I met the lovely Marie-Claire and her sidekick Grandmaster Flashy from Fluke photography through the modern day wonder that is social media…
In essence Maz is a bubble of energy, enthusiasm and fun! She is a lovely little lady with bags of creativity and unique ideas. Having read many of the lovely comments on her website its clear that her many satisfied clients have the same views as me.
Maz's style I would describe as being individual, a mix of new and vintage, street and bohemian.
Fluke photography mainly photograph weddings, music events, business events and does some head shot type things. But she is also interested in getting involved in any other types of creative adventures, like photographing for a kinky sex toy website to snapping at the Holi festival of colour.
Fluke photography recently celebrated its first birthday. I too went along to celebrate by raising a glass… (several glasses) and the receiving of a gargantuan mouthful of birthday cake, by what can only be described as barbaric means!!
Myself and Maz recently collaborated on some style shots for my blog and took the shoot to Liverpool. You can check out the pictures - Chasing light in the baltic triangle! I was totally chuffed with the results and we hope to do it again soon. More recently we headed to a photography studio to try out some different style shots. I also got to try out my photography skills on Maz and Grandmaster Flashy. Hope you like the results!
Here is an insight into Marie-Claire, style, inspirations and the things that generally make her tick…. You can also find out more about her daily adventures and musings on her blog theflukeyblog.
What do you love most about your job?
Freedom! I hated working for other people. Even if it started well the
novelty always wore off quickly. I am in control now – though admittedly
it's a bit scary at times! Plus the not having someone telling me what
to do isn't always a good thing haha.
What inspiration you?
The world around me – hard to pin point it and be specific. I get
inspired at the strangest times. Try to carry a note book with me most of the time to
write down the things I see or hear or the random thoughts which pop
into my head 
Favourite photographers?
Ooooh so many and sooo many styles too: Nan Goldin, Francesca Woodman,
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Anton Corbijn, Nick Knight, David LaChappelle – to name a
few but could go on forever
Favourite music?
Again, I'm a bit all over the place here. It ranges from electronic -
chilled, deep and stomping, to indie-ish slash post-punk type stuff and
also old stuff like what I was listening to or my parents listened to
when I was growing up and also stuff that simply gets my bum wiggling!
Apparat, Foals, Tiefschwarz, Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y, Dominik Eulberg, Gui
Boratto, Metronomy, Friendly Fires, The Phantom Band, Trentemoller, Louis XIV,
Warpaint, Bowie, The Do, Elekrochemie, The XX, LCD Soundsystem, Depeche
Mode, The National, Pupkulies & Rebecca, Lower Dens, Maximo Park,
Kolombo, Blawan, Thomas Shcumacher, The 2 Bears are a few examples. I'm totally
in love Alt-J at the moment. I like to think I'm pretty open minded with new
stuff, my man chap has got me into even weirder stuff I'd never come
across too like Max Richter which my ears really like as well
Dreams or goals?
Well I had a dream of becoming a photographer so I'm having a go at
making that my living – that's where I'm focussing my efforts at the mo (pardon
the pun). I'd actually like to move to Liverpool in the near future as
it's a bit more lively and creative than where I live now yet close enough
to everyone. I'd like to maybe one day combine my photography and my
previous life as a linguist to be all creative abroad somehow. Other than
that there's pick up the piano again (not literally), learn to play bass
guitar, use my creativity to work with young people or the community for
some good as well as take over the world… But my motto is baby steps -
don't want to do that ALL at once hehe 
Favourite Film?
I don't have a lot of time for films or TV these days but I'm generally
into silly or surreal stuff like the Big Lebowski, Being John Malkovich,
Monty Python Stuff but then also Tarantino too – totally love True
Romance.
An item you can't live without?
I think it's a camera, and not necessarily Mr.Flashy (but shhh, don't
let him read this) – sounds a bit cheddar but photography has gotten me
through so much sh#t. I've used it as a bridge to overcome shyness
(believe it or not), then used it to understand the world by freeze
framing it and taking it in as sometimes it all moves too fast. I've
gotten over break ups by throwing myself into it and also by using it as
another language – sometimes it's nice to say something that others may
interpret differently and I know I've said what I need to say and not
offended anyone; it's like a little code where I don't have to be too
obvious.
Favourite place to be?
I've always felt very much at home in Berlin. It's got a bit of everything
I need: art, culture, depth, party and wrongness.
What do you wear to work?
I can wear what I want these days mwahahahaa but it depends on the job
really. I'm glad I don't have to do suits and shirts anymore so that's a
bonus but if I'm doing a wedding or something corporate I will respect
that and not turn up like a techno pixie but it's a mix of still being me
and being comfortable and also able to do the job without flashing at
anyone (the bum or boob sort this time)
Fashion tips or tricks?
Ummm, I think I am accidentally fashionable. I don't do trends, nor do I
have the money to do so – any money I have which hasn't gone on my new
venture tends to go on visiting new parts of the world or on curry and
beer! I think being yourself and being comfortable is my 'trick' – also
not giving a toss what other people think about you. I have so many
people say 'oh I wish I could wear that or do that' and I think just flipping do
it! I'm not insanely confident; I'm not stick thin or what you would call
traditionally pretty – I'm irritatingly curvy which guys seem to like but
it's a bugger for clothes but I think by not giving a toss and wearing
what you think is good gives you an air of confidence which a lot of
people find attractive and by wearing something a little different it just
makes you stand out from the crowd.
