What got you started as a photographer?

Throughout my childhood I was always somewhat curious about photography and would sometimes take the family camera with me on trips to capture wildlife and landscapes. But it wasn’t until February 2019, when I borrowed my brother’s Canon 700D for a school project and photographed a LEGO figure on my driveway, that I became completely hooked on taking photos. Not only of landscapes, wildlife, people and places but also LEGO figures and sets ranging from themes such as Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, classic cars and so much more.

What made you start incorporating LEGO into your work?

Although my first proper introduction to photography was through LEGO, it actually took me almost two years before I started consistently bringing LEGO figures along to different locations. The main reason was that I felt insecure as an adult taking photos of plastic toys and uploading them. Despite the joy of taking these photos, I only uploaded a few to Instagram very subtly, as I wasn’t entirely confident the genre would be well received. But over time I slowly stopped caring. I realised it doesn’t matter what other people think. If this passion brings me joy and reconnects me with my sense of childhood, then neither negative opinions from others or my own doubts should hold me back. If I had continued listening to that once negative inner voice about LEGO photography, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the path I’m on now and you certainly wouldn’t be reading these words. LEGO figures allow me to tell stories and keep a special part of my childhood alive, while also incorporating my home of New Zealand’s and its stunning landscapes into my images.

What's the most difficult part of your LEGO photography process?

The most difficult part for me has always been framing because LEGO figures are so small. You need to shoot almost eye level to make them look lifelike. You might have a stunning landscape behind them, but if you can’t get the camera down to their level, it’s tough to create a good image. Another challenge is sometimes weighing up the risk versus reward, where I could potentially lose valuable LEGO figures in lakes, ocean water, or even near cliffs on windy days.

Weapon of choice?

I recently upgraded from my Canon 700D (after falling into a river in Lake Taupo and drenching myself and the camera) to the Canon R8 mirrorless camera, which has been an incredible workhorse of a camera. I use both the 28–70mm f2.8 and 75–300mm lenses, which help produce both incredible photographs and videos. I also recently started shooting with my dad’s 1993 point-and-shoot Pentax camera along with a Vito CL 1963 film camera to capture landscapes and more story-driven photographs of myself and the locations I visit. I really enjoy slowing down my photography, taking time to frame each shot, and understanding the purpose of every frame since each one literally costs me almost a dollar. The anticipation of waiting to receive my film images is a feeling I can only compare to Christmas morning.

Do you find it challenging to work outdoors on such a micro-scale, or do you prefer it to more traditional landscape photography?

I find myself consistently jumping between loving LEGO photography and not caring much about landscapes, to loving landscape photography and not being interested in LEGO. I tend to give my photography process a balance of both LEGO photos and film photos, which focus more on the story aspect of each LEGO adventure. Photographing both the LEGO I’m working with and the landscapes, animals, and locations holds unique stories which ill post on my second account Backyard Bears, and something about film photography has just got a grip on me now that I hope never lets go.

Do LEGO sets inspire you to find suitable locations, or vice-versa?

100 percent. LEGO sets inspire me in many ways, just like a lot of movies do. The best example is the LEGO Lord of the Rings sets since they are connected to New Zealand landscapes where the films were shot. I recently started a YouTube series called Bricks of Middle Earth where I travel to the exact filming locations and recreate various iconic scenes. When photographing other LEGO figures, I usually imagine where they would be if they were real people. A surfer? Take it to Muriwai Beach. Two lone hikers? Take them to Hamilton’s Gap where they slowly trek through the sand dunes.

How much LEGO do you bring to a shoot and how many do you lose?

If I’m just shooting LEGO figures, the most I take is a sandwich-sized bag with maybe 10 figures. For actual LEGO sets, I tend to shoot them separately. I’ve taken various LEGO sets such as a Porsche, a classic Volkswagen campervan, a Ford truck, and most recently a 1960s Shelby Cobra. The largest set I’ve ever taken was the 5,471-piece Lord of the Rings Barad-dûr set down to Mt Ngauruhoe, which was a mission and a half. I didn’t lose any pieces during that shoot, but I have lost pieces in the past. Luckily, I haven’t lost any figures yet, though I’ve lost a LEGO paddle or sword, nothing major……. yet.

You're a nerd, so what's your current favorite book, movie, and TV series?

I honestly don’t consume enough movies and TV shows, but when I get hooked on something, I really get hooked. This year one of my favorite movies has been The Bikeriders with Tom Hardy and Austin Butler. It’s a simple but well story-driven movie with many unique characters, a stacked cast, and a dive into a photographer documenting biker gangs in the 60s. Next, after almost 11 years, I finally watched the first season of True Detective with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Full of twists and beautifully scripted scenes, I didn’t leave my room until I had watched the entire season. I was gripped till the end and sad when it finished.

Is this just a complicated way of justifying your LEGO purchases to your partner or parents?

Every single time. Before my LEGO photography took off, I didn’t have a good excuse for my unhealthy obsession. But once my photographs started performing well on socials, each set became a legitimate way to feed both my LEGO and LEGO photography passion. Now that I earn from my LEGO photography, I can claim LEGO sets as an expense, and so now Ive got a great excuse! 

Favorite location you haven’t photographed?

Honestly, I could give a whole wish list of locations, but the one that stands out the most is Mt Cook. I’ve seen hundreds of photos of this beautiful place and would love to spend a week photographing there with various LEGO figures and sets, doing my best to do the place justice. I’d also shoot a few rolls of film while I’m there. In my eyes, the possibilities for photography and video shoots down there are endless and im worried that id never leave.

Which was your most challenging shoot and why?

You might not believe it, but there have been many challenging shoots that left me soaked in river water, eaten alive by sandflies, caught in big waves, and even walking away once with a broken camera. But by far my most difficult shoot was in the Fiords during a collaboration with a toursit company called REALNZ.

I was on the 38-meter Fiordland Navigator, cruising through the stunning Doubtful Sound and Fiords, preparing to go kayaking from the boat which would be the perfect vantage point for capturing the LEGO photos I had planned. The chaos began the moment I entered the kayak. The paddles I was given were missing the rings that stop water from dripping down the handles and into the Kyaka, so sea salt poured straight onto my non-weather-sealed camera. Watching it get drenched was painful, but I told myself I don’t care if my camera breaks, as long as I get the shot.

I had Gandalf, Bilbo, and an eagle with me and the plan was to hold them up and capture a photo that showcased Doubtful Sound and the stunning Fiords. That’s when everything fell apart. The figures got soaked, the Blu-Tack loosened, sandflies were mauling me, and then pieces went flying from my hands as I was trying to assemble everything. Wings, hairpieces, Bilbo and Gandalf went all over the kayak. Somehow nothing went overboard, but I was stressed, frustrated, and told I was holding back our spotters from going any further.

After finally piecing everything back together paddling forward a bit and it was almost perfect as my kayak drifted on its own and turned back toward the Fiordland Navigator. Just then, the sun broke through, lighting up the cliffs and water around me. I took the shot, and after twenty minutes of pure chaos, I looked down at my camera with relief. I had nailed the shot. What a trip.

How many times have you stepped on LEGO now?

Enough times to build calluses on my feet. I’ve become invincible to the LEGO brick.

What photographers or other artists do you love?

Peter McKinnon has always been a huge inspiration. He’s a filmmaker, photographer, and YouTuber from Canada who creates cinematic videos, rich raw film photography, and fun, informative content that always lights a spark in my creative heart. He talks about his work in a way that gets you fired up, and his storytelling about pivotal career moments has really pushed me to pursue photography and videography even further and believe that I can make a successful career out of this! 

Another artist I appreciate more than anything is Dave Grohl, former drummer for Nirvana and current frontman for Foo Fighters. Despite recent controversies, I’ve always admired him for his poetic lyricism, dedication to rock and roll, his stage presence and his kickass guitar skills. As a guitar player myself, I respect how he is able to furiously plays his iconic songs while throwing his body around the stage, and despite the tragedies and misfortunes within the rock and roll world and his own, he keeps performing in front of thousands. I’ll forever be in awe of his emotional toughness and And his iconic whaling scream. Man, what an artist and legend.

Both of these artists have shaped who I am as an artist and as a person. Without them, I wouldn’t be doing the things I am today.

Where can we find your art/artwork?

You can check out my Instagram @bryan_mosheim where I post all my LEGO photography and more. You can also check out my YouTube channel where I post cinematic photography vlogs, tutorials and behind the scenes to my LEGO photography. My YouTube is Bryan Mosheim.