Capturing Scarlet Page
International photographer, Scarlet Page is heading to Sydney in May for her debut exhibition in Australia. Scarlet who grew up around the music industry (she happens to be the daughter of Led Zeppelin’s guitarist Jimmy Page) has gone on to photograph some of the world’s most recognised artists including the Foo Fighters, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse as well as Australian acts such as Powderfinger, Nick Cave, The Vines and Silverchair. Scarlet’s ‘Captures’ exhibition which will be on display at Behind The Gallery in Darlinghurst, NSW is going to have an Aussie focus and will include some of her favourite shots as well as pictures have never been published. Before Scarlet heads down under we were privileged to be able to ask her some questions about the ‘Captures’ Exhibition, her ‘Resonators’ Exhibition which focused on game-changing Guitarists and who she still has on her wish list to photograph.
For those who haven’t heard of you or know who you are, can you give our readers some idea of who you are and your connection to the music world?
I am a photographer from the UK who started out in the mid 90’s, in fact one my first assisting assignments was to come to Australia to shoot Soundgarden at the Big Day Out Festival in Sydney and Melbourne.
Do you find your pedigree has opened doors that would probably have been closed to others?
Hmm maybe it has but I almost deliberately made of point of not telling anyone, some people would know and I could usually spot those ones as they smiled at me nicely.
“It’s been so much fun unearthing old shoots and digitising many unseen images”
You are heading to Australia in May and bringing your 'Captures' Exhibition, where attendees will get to see some of your classic a and most famous shots. Is creating an international exhibition a challenging experience or did it come together very quickly?
It’s been so much fun unearthing old shoots and digitising many unseen images, it really is like stumbling across treasures and then remastering them! The only challenge has been knowing when to stop digitising, I think I could do it as a full time job as I have so much material, negatives and transparencies!
'Captures' which will be on display at the 'Behind The Gallery' venue in Darlinghurst, is going to have an "Aussie Focus", is this an important part of your exhibitions, to find that link between the images and the country your exhibiting in?
I thought it would be a nice angle, in fact my first ever published image was a shot I took whilst assisting of Chris Cornell which made the back cover of a magazine here in the UK and it opened doors for me when I was just starting out. It then occurred to me I had shot a few Aussie bands over the years and nice to start digitizing those as a focus.
“it was such a buzz for me at the time, you never forget your first time”
Daniel Johns captured by Scarlet Page
Scarlet Page really became a name in music photography after you captured a shot of Chris Cornell at our very own 'Big Day Out', which went on to grace the back cover of Raw magazine. Did you know at the time of taking the photo it was special?
No it really isn’t very special at all! but it was such a buzz for me at the time, you never forget your first time! Plus it gave me the permission to visit the magazine, pick up some copies and they then started commissioning me which was awesome.
You have photographed many of our biggest name musicians including The Vines, Nick Cave & Silverchair over the years, are we Aussies easier or harder to shoot? Are there any down under quirks you have to allow for or be prepared for?
Ha not really! Craig from The Vines was quite hyper at our shoot but it turns out he has ASD which we didn’t know then and Silverchair were charming, Daniel was quite quiet. My shot of Nick Cave never actually made it to print but I am quite fond of it nonetheless. Some of my favourite bands are Aussie, Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett to name two
“I was so honoured that each person agreed to be in the collection and it was first exhibited at the Royal Albert Hall raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.”
One of your previous exhibitions 'Resonators', focused on on game-changing Guitarists which was a self funded project. What made this project so important that you were prepared to sink in your own money to create this collection?
All of my projects are self-funded! Waiting to be commissioned to do one in the future, it would be great to have a producer haha! Resonators was such a great thing to do, I was so honoured that each person agreed to be in the collection and it was first exhibited at the Royal Albert Hall raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. We then made a Kickstarter book which is no longer in print.
During Lockdown you began a special called 'Words Behind The Shots' were you gave a back story to some of your most famous photos. Were people surprised by some of the stories that went along with the pictures?
I am not sure if they were surprised but it became a real talking point and so well received. It made me gain confidence in speaking on video and accountability each week to actually do something aside from baking bread and homeschooling!
“I think all musicians are a little bit quirky and I am used to that”
You have worked with Amy Winehouse, Oasis, Courtney Love, Lemmy Kilmister, The White Stripes & The Prodigy just to name a few, some of these artists have a solid history of their behavior or are notorious for being difficult to work with, who has surprised you? who has been nothing like the proceeding reputation?
Each one of those artists has been charming! I think all musicians are a little bit quirky and I am used to that! It’s an exciting world to be in but you do have to be very patient at times as there is a lot of waiting around… I think the most charming person has to be David Bowie which I found very unnerving as he was so respectful of me as a photographer!
Who has been your favourite Artists/Bands to shoot or your Top 3 if its to hard to pick one?
I am terrible at these questions…. I love the Mars Volta/At the Drive In, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Placebo
“If you can get 5 mins with someone and take their portrait that is where the magic happens”
Besides live music events you also shoot album covers, magazines, tour artwork and book covers, what is your favourite and least favourite to work on? Do they differ much in preparation?
I love both but I think my own portraits are always the most special, in the pit anyone can get those shots or at least decent ones with the right equipment. If you can get 5 mins with someone and take their portrait that is where the magic happens.
Is there anyone still on your bucket list to shoot that you haven't had the privilege to? If so who is it and what makes them such an intriguing subject you want to capture?
I would love to photograph some big scary names like Madonna, Courtney Love offstage, I would have loved to shoot Prince.
“I love the shot of the Mars Volta in El Paso and also the shot of Peter Green for Resonators”
Do you have a favourite shot, not necessarily famous but one that is important or special to you?
I love the shot of the Mars Volta in El Paso and also the shot of Peter Green for Resonators
What’s been the highlight in your Scarlet Page's career so far, both personally and professionally?
Being made a Nikon Ambassador after being brand loyal for 30 years and also having an image included at the National Portrait Gallery within the last year have to be up there!!
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout-out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
I have recently had a few assistants helping me with scanning and retouching, Bronwen, Anya and Dave in the UK. A big shout out to Steve at Behind the Gallery for making this exhibition happen, he has been so supportive. Also Tabatha my agent at Female Perspective, thanks for asking!
What's next for Scarlet? What’s coming up for you in 2023 and beyond?
More digitising and more exhibits in the UK as well as shoots! Also plans for a couple of books, one of my work and one of a band tbc!
The Foo Fighters as captured by Scarlet Page
Captures Exhibition Information:
VIP Opening: Wednesday 3rd May, 6 - 8pm
Public Opening: Thursday 5th May, 5 - 8pm
Venue: Behind The Gallery
Address: 205 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010
Q&A: Saturday 6th May, 10am - 12pm. Scarlet Page discusses her photography career and the images in her ‘Captures’ exhibition followed by a Q&A session.
Follow Scarlet Page at:
Website: https://www.scarletpage.com/
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2pJ0hZF6C
Scarlet Page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletpage
Interview by Michelle Symes
April 2023