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While people may complain about a lack of space in their house, a Newry photographer has no such complaints, turning the tiny corner of the landing in his terrace home in Belfast into a working photographic studio, where already many famous and soon to be famous people have had their portraits taken.
Nathan Magee is a Fine Art Photographer who has branched in to creating headshots for actors. Instead of a glamourous studio location the actors come along to his space on the landing of his house in the Holy Lands where he is now based.
Magee believes it is important to show others what you can do with the bare minimum, as an artist with limited funds just coming out of university.
You get the feeling that he can't quite believe himself how successful his enterprise has been, in a space that is comprised literally of a landing with a window and a bit of fabric - although of course it's his astonishingly creative talent that bring his sitters to him via numerous recommendations "It has become a bit of a niche that people have delved into thankfully as it keeps me living here as a creative." Magee adds.
He explains "My career has had me work with some lovely people, including Oscar winners such as Jude Hill & Seamus O' Hara from films 'An Irish Goodbye' and 'Belfast'.
"One could imagine that these people would seek out the work of a more famous photographer, in a space that gave them something more. But instead they have fortunately found myself based in the infamous Holy Lands, where I photograph them on my landing next to a window... yes, you heard that correctly!"
The Newry artist continues "It's strange and different and over the past year actors from the likes of Derry Girls, Blue Lights, Hope Street and many others have come to one of the most run down locations in Belfast to get something that looks the complete opposite, in a space that is no wider than a metre. But even at its size the small nook has helped keep us all grounded as we grow through the industry."
In just a few short years Nathan Magee has produced a book 'The Weird and the Wonderful', covered film sets, completed outstanding personal projects and photographed actors at the top of their game. His love and enthusiasm for his craft gives you the impression that he is just warming up - and of course he is!
See also Newry's Nathan Magee - A Unique Creative Talent
You can check out his Instagram pages papertreeees and papertrees_headshots
