Sophie Saddington on style, film, and photography in NYC

Let’s start from the beginning—how did you first get into photography?
It was actually quite simple. It was just something I could do. In high school, I started photographing my friends when I was around 13 or 14, and from there, I kept exploring until I found my own medium. It wasn’t really a decision—it was just something I did naturally.

And analog photography? How did you get into that?
That happened quite early too, around 16. I remember seeing a cool German blogger who used film. I got curious and started looking it up. When I was in Utrecht, I found a film store and that’s where it all started.

Your photography has such a distinct mood. How would you describe your style?
People sometimes call it documentary-style or atmospheric, which I think fits. I’m really inspired by photographers from the 1920s to the 1940s. That period fascinates me because photography was still new, and they captured moments in such a raw and pure way. Nowadays, commercial photography often focuses too much on reproducing beauty, but I find realism much more interesting.

You moved to New York for a while. How did that influence you?
I always wanted to live in New York. I had some time, so I just went for it. I spent two months reading, watching films, and taking photos. It was such a new environment that everything felt surprising—every light, every shadow.

Film is now your focus. How did you transition from photography to filmmaking?
Film has always been my dream, ever since I was young. I’ve structured everything in my life around it. Photography happened naturally, but I always knew I wanted to make films. The way we composed shots in my first film is still very connected to my photography— it all revolves around capturing a moment.

How would you describe your relationship with fashion?
I don’t express myself in extreme ways through clothing, but I do care about what I wear. I prefer a few well-made, timeless pieces—good jeans, a nice shirt, quality shoes. My wardrobe isn’t big, but everything in it is something I love and feel good in.

You mentioned you’re very conscious about what you buy. What’s your approach to fashion?
I buy very little. My friends always say I have almost no stuff. Even when people visit my home, they notice how minimal it is. With clothing, I rarely buy new pieces, and when I do, I check the fabric, the quality, and whether it’s made sustainably. I’d never shop at big fast fashion brands.

Do you have a way of staying creatively inspired?
Yes, my whole life revolves around creativity. Time alone is important to me—I need quiet moments to reflect and reset. Reading, observing, and simply being still help me stay inspired.

Now that you’ve finished your debut short film, what’s next?
I’m fully focused on film. There are moments in life when you know you have to fully commit to something, and this is one of those times for me. I had that feeling with New York, and now it’s happening with film. I feel it’s time to go all in.