Joseph Seresin: the photographer who captures life’s quirks

***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***

Joseph Seresin is one of those photographers with the rare knack of capturing life’s quirks – the offbeat moments, blandly normal events, and daily happenings that we often see but don’t really ‘see’ through an artists eyes. His Instagram feed is full of photos to laugh at, empathise with, and admire, and they cover the whole spectrum from artistic, to fashionable, and the aforementioned simple and everyday. Portraits, places, and personal shots are his speciality. The London-based lad gives Khoollect a rundown on his day job as a photographer, and his recently sidelined passion for music and DJ-ing.

A Day in the Life of Joseph Seresin

What do you love most about being a photographer?

Initially, I really enjoyed doing my ‘apprenticeship’ as an assistant photographer and learning the ropes from some great people. I enjoy the social aspect, that every day is different, and that we get to travel. Perhaps what I love most though, is the challenge I set myself to take a photograph that will still be looked at decades from now.

Joseph Seresin

Tell us about some projects you’re working on right now?

Outside of day-to-day jobs, I’m working on my portfolio and planning a couple of trips abroad this year to do some documentary work.

What’s your biggest achievement?

Avoiding an office job and occasionally taking a photo I’m rather proud of. I also make the best bruschetta in the world. I say that tongue firmly in my cheek.

Is collaboration important in your work?

Yes, it’s an essential part of most jobs because you’re working as part of a team of people from various disciplines. When I’m doing more personal work, I prefer the freedom of working alone. But I’m always be open to an interesting creative collaboration.

Tell us about your other passion – music and DJ-ing?

Music remains a passion but I have more or less hung up my headphones and haven’t played out regularly for a few years now.

Has the music scene changed for the better or worse in recent years?

Creatively, I think there’s just as much good and bad music being made as there ever has been. Financially, the advent of downloads and streaming has hit a lot of artists hard in the pockets. Also, we’ve seen a shift from owning music collections (vinyl, CDs) to now streaming them through sites like Spotify, which is clearly more convenient than having records take up half of your home.

The internet has made the music world a much smaller place, which means it’s so much easier to be exposed to new music or explore rare, older productions. I can press a few keys on my laptop and within days a record arrives in the post that I’ve been seeking for years… back in the day, it would take hours of sifting through dusty old records in grotty second-hand shops.

What genre of music do you most love?

Anything with soul. I realise that’s totally subjective.

What’s the soundtrack to your life?

Best Kept Secrets

I khoollect a few …

Vintage movie posters, records, interesting prints, photography and music books, miscellaneous antiques and rather predictably – old film cameras and lenses.

What’s your favourite item in your khoollection?

A 12-inch test single of Eddie Kendricks’ “Goin’ Up In Smoke”, with a name scrawled across the outer sleeve in marker pen. I later found out it belonged to Jorge R. Wheeler Jr, the resident DJ at seminal club Boombamakaoo in New York during the 1970s. I recently managed to get in contact with him and he confirmed that he had indeed played that very record at his club. That’s a tiny piece of dance music history right there.

A life lesson that you’d tell your younger self?

Get a decent haircut. But seriously, if I could offer any advice it would be to try to live in the moment and concern yourself less with the future.

Joseph Seresin

Favourite corner of the internet?

Ebay, Discogs, Netflix, Instagram, YouTube, the Graham Hancock newsfeed.

Who’s your #khoollectcrush?

Ever since I was a child I was always fascinated by Leonardo Da Vinci, due in part to the book  I, Leonardo, illustrated by Ralph Steadman. A slightly more recent inspiration would be Martin Luther King Jr. I think that what he stood for is as relevant now as ever.

Urban Favourites

Where do you call home? 

I was born in London and have lived here my whole life apart from a few months in Ibiza.

What do you love most about it?

I love that no matter how well you think you know London, there’s always something or somewhere new to discover. I love how different areas have distinct identities and architecture, and the sense of history you find everywhere.

Joseph Seresin

Favourite spot for dinner?

I love Roka, which is a rare treat as I could never hope to reproduce the food they make in my own kitchen. They have an amazing sake menu too. I also really like Brawn in Columbia Road, the food is unfussy and tasty and the restaurant itself understated and relaxed.

The best pub, club and music venue?

Pubs: The Eagle pub in Farringdon for food, and The Three Kings in Clerkenwell because they play LPs on the bar.

Club: I like Corsica Studios. It’s quite paired back and there’s only one couch, which means you have to dance. Some of my other favourite venues have either closed or been knocked down for redevelopment (because if there’s one thing London needs right now it’s definitely more soulless luxury flats).

Music venue: The Forum in Kentish Town. I’ve seen some great gigs there including A Tribe Called Quest back in 1993 or 94 (I can’t remember the exact date).

Ideal lazy Sunday spent in London?

I like to get away from it all and have a good walk somewhere green away from crowds, followed by a nice pub meal.

Best options for a night out in London?

My favourite club night was Low Life, which sadly held it’s last ever party late last year. I don’t go out clubbing as much as I used to, so a night out would be good food and drink spent with even better company. You’re spoilt for choice in London.

You tip for making the best of London’s nightlife?

Do some research and try to find some of the more interesting, less obvious areas and places to hang out. There are little gems to be found all over London.

If not London, where would you live?

An old farmhouse somewhere in the Med with lots of animals.

Visit Joseph Seresin’s online or find him on Tumblr or Instagram

Photos by Joseph Serensin.

Take a peek at Joseph’s work and tell which pic’s your favourite in the comments below. Even better, why not tag @khoollect on Instagram.

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