With a style that brilliantly uses colour and the human form to promote some of Australia’s leading brands, Troy Freeyee should be on everyone’s radar. His stellar fashion photography has found him working with the likes of General Pants, Dickies, and many more cutting edge brands and retailers.
Accordingly, it was great to chat to Troy about breaking into the industry and his approach to fashion photography.
First of all, introduce yourself. Where are you based and what exactly do you do?
My name is Troy Freyee hence FREYEE photography... I am based on the Sunshine Coast QLD and I am a full-time fashion photographer.
What drew you to fashion photography?
Prior to photography, I worked in retail for 7 years, I figured out after doing a photography course that Fashion Photography was my favourite.
How did you get into such a competitive industry?
About 6ish years ago I was working in the city helping manage a massive retail store, I was working my butt off and felt like I was going nowhere, so one day I literally brought a camera and decided that I wanted to give it a go.... from there it all just started unraveling for me.
You seem to have quite a tight-knit crew of creative friends, namely the folks at Sticks and Stones. How did you get involved with those guys and how has it shaped your work?
Funny story actually, probably about 1.5 years ago I finished my diploma in Photoimaging and we had to do an exhibition at the end, which I did not want to do at all... I thought it was a waste of time and money, so I printed my photos off at the tafe for free and used some twine and made my own makeshift frames with thumbtacks.
That night I mainly went along so I could be there for my fellow classmates, then Ainsley and Sebastien (sticks and stones agency) walked in and they literally lit up the room, and I instantly knew I had to be friends with them... on the down low I knew exactly who they were, but I pretended I didn't haha. After that I was just stoked to have met them... maybe about 3 days after that, I was shooting a wedding when I received a text from Ainsley asking if I would be her intern! I literally jumped with joy.
Since then Ainsley and I have literally become best friends and I wouldn't know what to do without her.
Sticks and Stones has been one of the best things to happen to me, I work with them on their blog, so I am constantly getting inspired from all the amazing photographers that submit to the platform... Also working alongside Ainsley I have learned so much, she has an incredible eye, as you all probably agree she has something special that know one else has! I'll be forever grateful that she shares this with me.
Read more about Troy's advice for breaking into the industry and his advice for budding fashion photographers here.