Featured Photography: LEGO Prototype Boba Fett Minifigure Photography
David Saunders is a LEGO photographer and self-professed man of few words. One glance at his eye-catching photography, however, and it’s clear that David is not lacking in things to say. While the bulk of his work has a strong focus on LEGO minifigures, his versatility as a photographer is beyond question as his portfolio also boasts an impressive mix of other subjects including non-LEGO toys, collectibles, wildlife, family, cars, aircraft, concerts, and the occasional wayward AT-AT. Of course, it just so happens that David has also caught our eye with his LEGO prototype Boba Fett minifigure portraits.
One aspect of David’s work that we find to be remarkable is his ability to stamp his distinctive detailed yet clean style on a large range of unrelated subjects, whether he’s shooting a Disney Infinity Yoda, a solitary daffodil, or a really convincing ABBA cover band. As for Star Wars-related images, our personal favorites are the stunning Dark Side LEGO minifigure montage and this dramatic black and white side by side portrait of Mark Hamill and a LEGO Luke Skywalker.
Ironically true to his word, David does not have a whole lot to say about his work other than there is not much planning involved as there is spontaneity. In addition to conveying motion in his images, his main objective is to avoid following trends or mimicking others while sticking with his own form of art and expression. As far as we’re concerned, he nailed it.
Edit: David has agreed to a simple interview, in which he graciously gave us some additional insight into his craft. Enjoy!
What was your favorite Star Wars memory growing up?
Darth Vader! I was fascinated by the Dark Side and the Imperial might!
How did you get into the world of toy photography?
I first started snapping in Iraq during the second Gulf war. I guess over a period of time, I naturally just drifted into the toy side of photography.
Where do you draw your inspiration from for photo ideas?
Me. I literally just pick a subject and let my artistic flare run riot (Man I sound
arrogant haha!)
Who is your favorite Star Wars character to photograph, and why?
Hard one… Anything dark and mean, which goes the back to my liking of the Imperial/dark side. Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and the Stormtroopers are superb. Prototype Boba Fett is probably one of my favourites to photograph though. He’s proper badass lol!
What was the most challenging photo you have taken?
Not so much the actual photo but more of Crafting the light around me. I don’t use artificial light. It’s either daylight or the lights above me (usually in the kitchen haha) so everything is shot manually with a lot of love!
What are your long term goals for toy photography?
I’d very much like companies to send me their products! It’s difficult photographing awesomeness when awesomeness generally costs a lot!
Lastly, what advice would you offer to someone who is new to toy photography?
Learn how to shoot manually on a DSLR and be unique.
About David Saunders
Equipment used:
– Canon EOS 6D
– Canon 100mm 2.8 is usm L
– LEGO Prototype Boba Fett Minifigure
David Saunders is a photographer based in the UK. Follow his Instagram account @davidsaundersphotography for more examples of his work, and be sure to like his Facebook page David Loves Lego. We would also like to note that David did mention the possibility of more LEGO prototype Boba Fett minifigure photography in the future, in which case we would be more than happy to feature him again. Watch this space!