Alex Lockett is a British photographer currently based in London and New York. His work explores the concepts of family through a performative and playful cinematic lens. Previously first assistant and director of photography to Steven Klein, Lockett is now embarking on his own career. His most recent project investigates the body’s relationship with domestic objects and familial activities.

Which artists do you most admire?
I really admire what the Dada and surrealist artists did in their day, Marcel Duchamp and Luis Buñuel for example. I find Buñuel’s films very powerful. It was such a revolutionary time where art, politics, and psychology really came together. I also really admire the work of documentary photographers like Henry Wessel, Garry Winogrand, and Joel Meyerowitz. I love the rhythm and the humor they find on the street.

What is the most essential quality for a photographer to have?
I think making people comfortable is so important. Being able to laugh at yourself is helpful too, because I sometimes feel we can talk absolute gibberish behind the camera!

What is the responsibility of a photographer to their audience?
I think doing something that has honesty and integrity is always important because then you are adding something real to the world.

How did you choose your subjects?
It really depends on the kind of shoot I’m doing, but I often go through a casting process similar to that of a filmmaker where I will speak to or meet the people beforehand to get a sense of their vibe. I am very attracted to people who have a lot of character, especially those from older generations. People whose faces tell a story of their own.