THE ACCIDENTAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Francis Hills is known as the accidental photographer and for a compelling reason: seven years ago, after losing his job during the dot.com bust, he picked up a point-and-shoot and discovered his true passion.  Today, Francis shoots celebrity, fashion and beauty from his New York Studio.  A digital photography evangelist, he's worked closely with Hasselblad and Hewlett Packard, giving presentations about his photographic journey and demonstrating high-end digital photography, worldwide.

His work is primarily shot on high resolution digital using medium format backs.  Francis has appeared numerous times as photographer and judge on Scandinavia's Top Model, Norway's Top Model, Sweden's Top Model (as resident photographer) and TLC's Covershot TV shows.  In 2007, Francis had the rare opportunity to fly to Africa and France to take portraits of the enigmatic French Foreign Legion, documenting first hand the Legionnaires for a book and exhibition.  His work has appeared in numerous magazines worldwide including: Elle, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Essence, Gotham, GQ, Las Vegas, LA Confidential, Ocean Drive, Oprah, Time and Zink.

WELCOME TO MY PORTFOLIO-MEETS-MAGAZINE

I've been wanting to put something together like this for ages - basically a magazine of what I've been up to photographically for the last few months.  And it is amazing to see it all put together in one place!  I do a lot of varied things as a photographer and it's nice to share some shoots that normally you'd never get to see.  As always, huge thanks to all the contributors on the shoots and especially to Greg Welch (WelchPublishing.net) who has put this whole magazine idea into reality.

Cheers! Francis