IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW: Henry Hargreaves

QUESTION: What's the coolest brief you've ever had and why?

"I like anything that starts with no clothes because you know you're going to be doing something outside the norm. It's like saying 'this project is not aimed at conservatives'.

"I always joke with Jessica Walsh as more often than not she starts her briefs with that. The latest thing I did with her was the Sagmeister and Walsh announcement card where I shot her and Stefan sans-clothes. Now you can imagine that brief in my inbox!"

To see the infamous shoot, check out the coverage on Computer Arts website (not safe for work).

QUESTION: What's it like working with iconic designers such as Sagmeister and Walsh?

"Stefan and Jessica are amazing to work with and have been massively inspirational for me through their approach to work. Strong and exciting imagery is key and non-traditional approaches to your work can create the most rewarding results."

QUESTION: What's the most useful thing anyone has ever said to you?

"Don't be afraid to fail."

QUESTION: Name one person that has had a major influencing factor on your career and explain why.

"My old roommate of five years Michael Romanowicz. He showed me by believing in yourself you can make your very own fantasy of reality come true."

QUESTION: If you could speak to one person, who would it be, what would you say and why?

"I can never spend enough time talking with my friends. Every time I meet an idol I'm always disappointed."

QUESTION: How do you relax?

"I seldom get stressed but if I do I love a slow backscratch."

QUESTION: What three tips would you give to budding photographers?

"Don't get beaten down by industry jargon. Everyone has ideas, few execute them. Don't listen to anyone else's opinion if it's different to yours!"

QUESTION: What's your favourite piece of photographic equipment and why?

"I made a little modification to my boom arm, which lets me mount my camera and shoot down directly without buying one of the extortionately expensive Fober arms. I was very proud of my ingenuity."

QUESTION: What software do you use for image editing and why?

"Lightroom and Photoshop. Although I don't generally lean too heavily on these, they can give that final little pop you're looking for."

QUESTION: What are you working on now? And what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?

"I actually have an exhibition in the works at the University of MA of my Last Meal series. I'm currently working in Italy. God knows what I'm going to come up with here and later this year. Keep an eye on my website as that's where they will end up first."

QUESTION: What's the most eccentric thing on your wish list?

"A whoopee cushion."

Make sure you come back next week when we'll be interviewing mills - Chief Wonka of digital design studio ustwo