Interview with Photographer Jack Radcliffe

Your work “Hospice” is very inspiring, what was your experience like in shooting this?

When I began photographing the AIDS patients of York House Hospice I was nervous about photographing people at the end of life. I was fortunate to have an intern from Goucher College at the time named Barbara Wood keep a journal of our visits and help me to process the experience. It was the most powerful and gratifying experiences to share the last moments of each patient’s life. We bonded with the staff as well as the Director, Joy Ufema, who each helped create a very beautiful and loving place to die.

What subject/s are your favorite to shoot?

Many people have drawn a parallel between photography and literature. My photographs are narrative and I want to take a photograph that has the best story from those I find interesting, have a relationship with or love. I must say my favorite person to photograph is my daughter, Alison. We have worked together for thirty-five years from her moment of birth to the mature and talented visual and performing artist she is today.

What message do you want to convey in your photographs?

I want people who look at my photographs to be able to make a connection with and find something familiar to the subject.

Do you have any new projects that you’re working on right now?

My old projects are my new projects. I still photograph Alison and many of my subjects who I have photographed for years. You can see this on my website or my site on “Behance“.

Any advice for our readers?

Make photographs obsessively, and as my colleague used to say: “employ yourself,” or treat your artwork like a job and make it a priority make a schedule for work that you won’t break.