A 20-question interview with photographer Hannah Harley Young
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
What you put in, you get out. Work hard and success will follow. My parents always instilled in me the idea of staying hungry. If you’re not hungry for something and you don’t have the passion to achieve, then you will never succeed.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Never keep regrets but make lots of mistakes. You can learn from a mistake; regrets prevent you from moving forward.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?
The Kardashian/Jenner clan. Not just in 2016, but forever.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My godfather, who left this world way too soon for my liking.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A happy and healthy life.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
It’s based on a load of con artists, and we all fell for it.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
I hate bad grammar. The incorrect use of your, you’re, there and their makes me mad.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I am a long time supporter of CLIC Sargent. The work they do and the support they give to families with children battling cancer is incredible. I plan to work a lot with them in the future.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Even as a “young” twenty something, I am still getting my head around the power of social media. I confess my phone is pretty much an extension of my hand – as I’m sure it is for most people. This social media explosion really is the future. There will be degrees in it soon.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Oscar Wilde, Beyonce, David Bowie, Coco Chanel and Emily Pankhurst. God, what a crowd!
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Lebanese food from Maroush. I’d eat at their Kensington branch, Randa, because the manager, John, looks after me whenever I frequent there.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Once I’ve finished at the gym. The guilt isn’t as bad then.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A margarita.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own. I throw the meanest house parties.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My oldest and best friend Georgiana. She knows me like no other and provides a lot of positivity during my negative moments.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Pickled onion monster munch.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
The third one I am about to get: The Orion’s Belt star constellation. It’s a sentimental thing I have with my older brother, Danny.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin DB9.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
If I could do it all again, I’d pay attention more in science classes and study medicine. I’d love to be a plastic surgeon.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
My goldfish, JLo, an array of cookery books and a kilo jar of Nutella.
Hannah Harley Young is a portrait and party photographer. She photographs parties around London and internationally whilst also shooting commissioned portraits for private clients, websites, brands and editorial platforms. Follow her on Twitter at @hannahharley and Instagram at @hannahharley.
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