When 20-year-old London photographer Jonnie Craig is out skateboarding and hanging out with his friends, there‘s a fighting chance of them all ending up running around the streets naked – with nothing to protect Jonnie‘s modesty except his camera. Needless to say, he has a lot of funny pictures in his private photo-album. It‘s not surprising therefore that UK Vice magazine (famous for it‘s we-don‘t care attitude and shock-tactics) snapped him up – he seems to fit them perfectly. Jonnie shoots musicians and fashion for Vice as well as ad campaigns for clients such as Diesel sel.com/dum.html, Nike, Nokia and Sony which sometimes includes him having to jet off to Scandinavia to shoot naked girls in the snow. (Are you noticing a naked-theme arising too?)

When did you first realise you wanted to be a photographer?

When I was quite young. Around 15 or 16 I think.

How has your childhood surroundings (your upbringing) affected your photographic style?

Quite a lot. I used to skateboard every minute of almost every day and I would always have my camera with me. I used to try to make ‘good’ skate photos, but then I realized I just preferred taking photos of my friends.

What sorts of photography do you do and what is your favourite?

I do ‘art’ and fashion. My favourite is my personal work, basically just photos that are of things that make me laugh or my friends doing stupid things.

What is inspiring you at the moment? And how does inspiration come to you or do you seek it out?

At the moment things that are inspiring me are old 16mm films that are shot on really crappy cameras that leak light. I used to be obsessed with light leaks on video, so I started making them in my pictures. I am also very inspired by people I work with and my friends.

What camera do you use?

I use a number of different cameras. At the moment the main two that I use are my Contax G2 and an Olympus MJU II compact.

What was your first proper big job and how were you feeling then?

My first ‘big job’ would be when I just turned 18, Vice Magazine commissioned me to shoot ‘The Black Lips’. I was really nervous but I was really prepared so when I got there, I just got to work.

Is there anyone that has greatly helped you on your way to becoming a photographer?

My first teacher for photography when I was at school. He was called Morgan Davies. I don’t think I would have even considered taking photography further without him. He was strict but in a good way, he was the kind of teacher you really wanted to impress.