Simeon Quarrie

A genre-spanning innovator, Canon Ambassador Simeon Quarrie uses the power of the still and moving image to engage his clients and offer them new and ever more exciting ways to reach out to their audience.

Simeon has been shooting video since leaving school and has grown up with the Canon system. He was working as a web designer when he started shooting weddings with an old Canon XL1, and soon became a professional wedding videographer and photographer, known for ripping up the rule book for what couples could expect from their wedding imagery.

Simeon is also a prolific educator, with an infectious enthusiasm that sees his work featured on some of the industry's most prominent websites, and he regularly draws big crowds at photo and video shows across Europe. He is a keen advocate of Canon's Cinema EOS cameras, as well as its high resolution DSLRs. He combines both on many of his projects, feeling that Canon's large sensors and colour science give his films the edge he needs to remain one step ahead.

"As I've progressed, the camera system has grown with me," elaborates Simeon. "My first photo camera was a Canon EOS 350D but on the video side I did 'go big or go home' and went for the XL1. As I've grown and increased in knowledge and skill, there's always been the next camera for me."

Simeon and his VIVIDA team rarely sit still: "We are currently changing the world of training by using storytelling and interactivity for subjects such as cybersecurity and diversity and inclusion," he says. "I never dreamed I'd be working with governments or companies such as Google and ITV. You never know where image making and storytelling will take you!"

What inspired you to pursue photography and filmmaking as a career?

"When I was a child someone handed me a camcorder to use at a wedding and said, 'Do you mind getting some nice shots and capturing the wedding?' I took it really seriously and I thoroughly enjoyed looking down the scope of the camera. I started to look at the world differently because I was looking through a lens. I was always a very visual person, so when I got a camera in my hand it really excited me. A number of years later I remembered that feeling and decided I wanted to get that feeling back on a day-to-day basis."


What is the best lesson you have learnt during your career so far?

"Don't just stay behind the camera and behind your editing computer. It's actually really important that you are talking to people and showing people your work. The career element is very much based on not keeping work that you've created close to yourself, and just leaving it being an online presence, but actually having real conversations with people."


What drives your creative ideas?

"As you listen to music, pictures form in your mind so I try to regularly change the music that I listen to. Every time you change the type of music that you listen to, your mind creates different imagery and different stylistic tastes."


How has Canon technology helped you to shoot your projects?

"Autofocus and the Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology basically help you work out if you are in focus or not. The fewer things I have to think about when I'm doing a shot, the better. I can stay within the moment more. Autofocus technology has allowed me to spend more time, while I'm recording, actually thinking about what's in front of the camera."


Why do you think the Canon Ambassador Programme is important and what do you hope to achieve by being a part of it?

"The fact that Canon looks at, studies and really appreciates the work of people using their technology is humbling and inspirational. When they spotted me I was in the middle of shooting weddings. That was fantastic and they've been supportive of my journey as I've moved, changed and grown. I just think it's amazing to know that it could be you – you could be the next Canon Ambassador. I also particularly enjoy passing on knowledge so one of the things that excites me massively is having the opportunity to do just that. Being involved in the programme means that I get face time with people all around the world; I think that's an amazing privilege."

"Shoot as much as possible, particularly in the early stages. There's nothing like having work to show and your style develops when you shoot enough to know what you like. One thing I would definitely recommend is to create little personal projects; set yourself a theme, a little task – then shoot it and put it out there. Aim for the highest standard possible, but don't aim for perfection. If you aim for absolute perfection you'll never put it out."

Facebook: Simeon Quarrie

Instagram: @simeonquarrie

Twitter: @simeonquarrie

Youtube: simeonquarrie

Vimeo: VIVIDA

Website: vivida.io