An immaculately dressed equestrian under a pink sky: John Boaz's best photograph

The Guardian

3 days ago

When I was about 16, I went to Bradgate Park in Leicestershire with a couple of friends. We were there as sunset approached and the landscape became illuminated by beautiful golden-hour light. There were deer and stags all around and I asked one of my friends if I could borrow his camera. It must have been quite annoying for him because I remember wandering off, trying to capture this feeling of mystery and magic.
That was the moment I first really felt a sense of excitement for photography and image-making. Before then, I'd visited many museums and art galleries with my mum and was inspired by some of the art we saw. I was particularly drawn to portraits by Vermeer and Rembrandt. I've never been good at drawing or painting, but having a camera gave me a tool to express that creative energy.
While studying photography at university, I was introduced to mind-blowing work, like Alec Soth's book Sleeping by the Mississippi. I was struck by his portrait of a man holding a pair of model aeroplanes. There's a simplicity to the image, but it's also powerful and visually striking. I felt drawn to narrative-based documentary portraiture.
For my final-year project, I spent time in monastic communities around Britain, making portraits of nuns, monks and other people I encountered within them. That branched out into one of the three long-term projects I'm currently working on, Rivers of Living Water, a wider-ranging series about the Christian faith in Britain, and the diverse nature of its cultures, denominations and perspectives.
Fabian, who you see in this photograph, is someone I found on Instagram. I was inspired by his story of growing up in inner-city east London, where it was hard for him to pursue his love of horses. He persevered and now competes in eventing competitions, determined to help increase inclusivity in the equestrian community. He's set himself the goal of becoming a five-time Olympic gold medallist.
This was taken in Hertfordshire, near the stables Fabian was using, on a January morning last year. Initially, I went to photograph him a few months before and while we had got some good images the light wasn't great and we agreed to try again later. On this occasion, just before sunrise, we got this soft pink sky and the field was still covered with beautiful morning frost. Fabian looks incredible in that outfit and the horse, Morgan, also looks amazing.
My preferred approach is to take things slowly and spend time with my subject, create a calm energy and capture a sense of who they are. I rarely use film now, but my technique is informed by having used it – I don't take lots of photographs, but instead wait until there's a moment of stillness and peace.
I love natural light: a lot of my work makes use of evening or morning light or mist. There's another shot of Fabian taken about an hour after this one that I'm equally happy with. By then, the frost had mostly gone but the rising winter sun created strong shadows and a warmer tone. In both cases, I didn't want the photographs to appear staged, I wanted something simple and genuine.
I chose to photograph Fabian because I found his story interesting and inspiring. These portraits are about him and his equestrian journey. They are also included in the Rivers of Living Water series. The project encompasses spirituality, peace and serenity, but not every image is obviously religious. There are many that show people going about their everyday lives. My approach is always to try to be respectful and to honour the people I photograph. It's a way of exploring my own personal faith, too.
Born: Northamptonshire, England.Trained: Visual communication degree at Birmingham City University.Influences: 'Paintings are a major inspiration for my work and music, too, helps me develop ideas. I'd name Alec Soth, Alys Tomlinson and Bryan Schutmaat as inspirational.'High point: 'Being one of the winners of Portrait of Britain Volume 7 and having one of my portraits as the front cover of the book. Also having my work selected to be part of this year's Royal Photographic Society International Photography exhibition.Low point: 'I sometimes have creative low moments when I feel drained and not inspired or motivated but this does not last long, thankfully. This year a low point was not being chosen as a finalist in the Belfast Photo festival – however Rivers of Living Water was shortlisted so I am grateful for that.'Top tip: 'Stay true to who you are and make work you feel led to make. Be inspired by others but do not compare your work in a negative way to them. Be kind and supportive to other artists/photographers' work and their journey.'
John Boaz's work is part of the RPS International Photography exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London, 5 August to 18 September.