Hugh Chambers Interview
Each month, we ask a photographer to picture a Corneliani Travel Jacket on someone, somewhere in the world. These shots were taken at Chapman’s Pool on the Jurassic Coast in the UK by Hugh Chambers, a photographer and filmmaker from the south coast of England. Inspired by coastal landscapes, movement and natural light, his work blends cinematic imagery with a relaxed, documentary feel. Alongside commercial commissions, he’s drawn to stories shaped by location, atmosphere and the people within them – like these images of the travel jacket.
Where did you take these pictures?
Hugh Chambers: «Chapman's Pool, a beautiful cove on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. I love the journey there as much as the destination - the widding country lanes and small villages you pass through all feel quintessentially British. There's a calmness to the landscape that creates a really serene atmosphere».
Who’s wearing the Travel Jacket?
Hugh Chambers «Max Howard is wearing the jacket – a photographer, model and motorbike rider. He’s usually off somewhere remote on an adventure or weaving through the city on two wheels».
What was the mood you were trying to convey?
Hugh Chambers: «I liked the juxtaposition of such a clean, refined jacket against the rugged coastline – how it can feel slightly out of place in somewhere so remote. At the same time, I loved how naturally it sits within the landscape; the tones of the rocks, the blue water and everything around it. I wanted that feeling that this could be anywhere. With the right light, that stretch of coast can almost feel Mediterranean – like Max has stepped off a sailing yacht to take a few photographs and soak in the scenery».
What does this location mean to you?
Hugh Chambers: «It’s somewhere I go to escape. It’s only about an hour from my front door, but it’s worlds away from the pace of everyday life. It feels incredibly rural and timeless compared to the bustle of my hometown. Bournemouth is coastal, but the Jurassic Coast spoils you with its scale, beauty and sense of escapism. After the shoot, we ended the evening at one of my favourite pubs just down the road from Chapman’s Pool. Watching the last light fall across the hills and coastline was the perfect end to the day».
Do you think the images you’ve captured say something about you – or do you try to keep yourself out of the frame?
Hugh Chambers: «I think they inevitably say something about me. The location itself is somewhere I’ve grown up visiting and exploring, so there’s a personal connection there. I’d also like to think the use of colour (with the flowers) and backlit sun reflect the warm and joyful side of my personality».
What do you like about travelling?
Hugh Chambers: «I like how refreshing it feels. Travel always gives me energy, even if there’s a bit of jet lag involved. Sometimes you don’t realise how much you need to get away until you arrive somewhere new and think, ‘I could stay here forever’. It gives me a real boost creatively and mentally, and reminds me to slow down and actually take things in. I find myself photographing the most random, mundane things you might normally overlook. I like how artist David Hockney talks about how heavily your environment effects your work and creativity. It’s something I try to remember even when I’m back home – to keep noticing the small details, taking things in and photographing the everyday».».
What does your style say about who you are?
Hugh Chambers: «That’s a difficult question to answer because I’m not sure I’ve fully defined my style yet. But I’m drawn to vast open landscapes, the ocean, movement, strong angles, colour and light. I guess the fact I love to be outside and shoot on location/when travelling says something about me».
Do you feel most like yourself when you’re at home or when you’re travelling?
Hugh Chambers: «Probably when I’m travelling. I like how being in a new environment shifts my perspective and helps me become more present».
What’s something unexpected that’s always in your suitcase?
Hugh Chambers: «Most things in my suitcase are probably quite expected. Maybe an eye mask and ear plugs – not very glamorous, but essential».
How did the Travel Jacket hold up in the field?
Hugh Chambers: «The Identity Jacket was perfect for the day we shot. It happened to be the hottest day of the year so far, pushing into the 30s, and the jacket felt incredibly lightweight and easy to wear in the heat while still looking effortlessly refined. It moved beautifully in the wind and worked perfectly against the coastal landscape».
HUGH CHAMBERS
Hugh Chambers is a photographer and filmmaker from the south coast of the UK, working across fashion, travel and lifestyle projects. He studied music before moving into photography, developing his practice while travelling after university. Inspired by coastal landscapes, movement and natural light, his work blends cinematic imagery with a relaxed, documentary feel. Alongside commercial commissions, he’s drawn to stories shaped by location, atmosphere and the people within them.
