An American in London
Growth, Friendship, and Partying in Cathedrals
Photography By Cameron Schiller
3 years after Schiller’s debut international-seller “Cameron Schiller 2015-2017”, Schiller releases her 2nd edition, self-titled publication, “Cameron Schiller 2019-2022”. In her trademark documentary style, Schiller provides an authentic and personal window into the unfiltered experiences of an American living in South East London.
London, United Kingdom
Reckless last caught up with you in "The Secret Life of Artists", a documentation of your time at Bennington College. What have you been up to since then?
That feels like ages ago! Well lets see— after college, I packed up all my stuff and immediately jumped ship (literally) and moved to London.
I moved there in the fall of 2019, which was both awful and amazing timing because I had just enough time to meet all my friends before the pandemic hit, so I wasn’t totally alone in a different country. These past few years have been some of the craziest times of my life, with mainly the same crew I met in 2019; essentially, what my photo book is about.
You are sharing your book, "Cameron Schiller 2019-2022", an inside look at South East London's underground art scene. Why is this book, and time of your life, important for you to share?
I don’t think I believe in art having intrinsic importance, and would probably feel pretentious claiming mine as having that.
That said, photography (and art generally) is substantial to me when I can viscerally feel the meaning it has to the artist— especially when it represents a deep personal connection with other humans (like in Nan Goldin’s work.)
This is the primary feature of my photo book– which is essentially my diary from the last few years. It’s short and succinct, every page concentrated with people and moments that are very personal to me, and can perhaps become personal to the people viewing it.
How have you grown as a photographer since your last book, "Cameron Schiller 2015-2017"? What have you learned?
Immensely. I mean, just as a person I’ve grown— I’m 25 now which is a lot different from 20 when I started taking pictures for my last photo book. So naturally as a photographer, I’m also in a much different place.
The main difference I can point to, is that I take pictures mainly for myself now. I don’t want the fact of other people seeing it afterwards to hinder the type of photographs I’m taking. If I want to take a nude of myself or friends, for instance, considering who sees it will naturally affect how you take it. I still show my work publicly; it’s not like it’s inaccessible or anything. It’s just that this has become important to my mindset while taking the photos at least.
What makes the underground art scene of South East London unique? How has it influenced your photography?
My friends are the cornerstone of my work; so changing the subjects, especially from rural Vermonters to Londoners— has had a real impact on my photos.
My friends and I are all creative-types, involved in a million projects, and most of us are also musicians (myself included). There’s so much happening in the South East London art scene right now— which gave us a solid foundation to throw frequent events ranging from concerts, exhibits, film clubs etc. It’s very DIY and happening right now, and I’m happy to have had real access to it.
How would you compare this art scene to the one at Bennington College?
The kids I surrounded myself with in London were definitely cut from a different crop than the weirdos (in the best way) from Bennington Vermont.
My social life looked completely different—at Bennington we would have wild all-campus parties that were framed by the underlying tone that there were not many of us stuck in the middle of nowhere together. Everyone knew everything about each other and the level of interpersonal connection was so intertwined and deep.
Now that I think about it, that area of London (South East) is similar to Bennington in that it can feel like a small town. I lived minutes away walking distance to most of my friends, which is unusual for a city. In both settings this was pretty important for developing friendships that were really active in eachothers lives.
But generally, London is a completely different scene. Being in the middle of the city– my social life was very much connected to the nightlife of the city. Going out would often include playing shows, club nights, etc…
Actually, my friend group would often party in old English cathedrals and castles. Can't really do that in Vermont (this is all in my book btw!)
What's next for you?
Well, I just moved to New York; it appears every few years I feel the need to make significant changes in my life. Really excited about this next chapter…I guess I have to find new kids to party with and photograph
