Artist Focus | Sam Saxby - Through the Lens of Energy and Emotion

For photographer Sam Saxby, creativity first took root in Derby. Growing up in a city not always known for its artistic opportunities could have been a limitation, but Sam quickly learned to turn it into a strength. “Initially it made me feel like my work would be quite constricted due to a lack of creative spaces and communities,” he explains. “However I realised that in Derby I just had to look harder to find these spaces for my photography to flourish, finding the local underground music scene.”

It was in this scene that Sam found his niche. Now specialising in photographing local musicians – from electrifying gig shots to striking press images – his work is defined by both raw energy and emotional depth. Photography began as a teenage passion, born out of a desire to capture moments that looked “cool”. Over time, though, that instinct evolved into a deliberate artistry, rooted in storytelling and atmosphere. “I was drawn to photography as a teenager through a desire to capture everything I saw that I thought looked cool. Over time this transferred into a love for creating art with my photos, and telling stories using images.”

One of the defining moments in Sam’s creative journey was shooting his very first live gig. “It completely changed the way I looked at photography and how I used my camera, forcing me to be proactive with my shooting instead of letting the equipment do the work for me,” he recalls. That shift in perspective has shaped the way he approaches every project since – with intention, precision and a sharp eye for detail.

Of course, finding a personal style hasn’t always been straightforward. “The most challenging part of my journey as an artist would probably be the long road to finding my own identity within my art, figuring out how to stand out and think outside the box whilst making sure I have a clear aim for each shoot.” Today, his approach is more refined. “Instead of over complicating things I’ve realised that less is often more.”

Sam’s inspiration comes from many directions, but above all, his photography is driven by emotion. He often pairs his images with music, letting the mood of a song guide the way he captures or edits a photo. “Photoshoot by photoshoot I would normally decide on a feeling or emotion I was trying to capture through my work and go from there. Often I will pair a photo to a song, either when shooting or editing, as I find that matching the emotion of the song gives me real inspiration for how I want a final image to look.”

Looking ahead, Sam is pushing his creativity into new territories. Alongside more photoshoots, he is planning to write and direct a music video for his band – a first-time venture that will allow him to blend his visual storytelling skills with music in a new way.

Ultimately, Sam wants his work to be felt, not just seen. “I’d like to think my photos capture a feeling rather than being empty and shallow images with no substance to them. Particularly when shooting gigs, I want people to be able to feel the energy through a photo.”

For those starting their own creative journey, he offers one piece of advice: “Don’t compare yourself to your peers. Figure out what you love doing, what you’re good at and roll with it.”

You can explore more of Sam Saxby’s work on Instagram at @samsaxbyphotography.