Welcome to the first in what I’m hoping will be a series of conversations with some of mine and I’m sure your favourite photographers! The watch world and particularly on Instagram were bombarded daily with some of the most amazing images of watches and lifestyle shots. But I wanted to go a step further and talk to the people behind those shots and get to know them a little better. We're all part of a huge community so what can we learn from each other!

For my first chat, I have been talking to the legend that is captain kirk! No, not the former commander of the Starship Enterprise but the wizard of post that is Kirk Lucas. Kirk is one of the few creators I follow who is not a completely watch based account but as I’ve followed and seen more and more watch content featured, I had to reach out and get to know him more.  

With a signature, moody style and an account full of incredible photography, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and get to know Kirk a little bit more with me! As we talk camera gear, G-Shock, photography and life!

Matt: Hey Kirk tell me a little bit more about yourself? Where are you from, what do you do and who is Captain Kirk Lucas?

Kirk: I'm a video editor and photographer from Toronto, Canada. The Captain Kirk persona is obviously a take on Captain Kirk from Star Trek, but my real name really is Kirk Lucas. I started the IG account just as the pandemic started as a way to stay creative and sane. Didn't expect it to grow as much as it did, but here we are.

Matt: So how did you begin your photography journey? Has this as a creative outlet always been a passion for you?

Kirk: I started years ago on a huge Canon DSLR. I wanted to impress this girl (now wife) who was into photography. I was into other creative outlets at the time before I started photography. Graphic design, illustration, architecture to name a few. Photography was just another exciting thing to learn.

Matt: Quite the reason to get into photography and it obviously worked! Things have changed a lot over the years with camera gear, what do you shoot with now? And how has this improved your photography?

Kirk: Yes, thankfully it worked out! lol

I am currently shooting on the Canon R6 with the R5 35mm f/1.8 lens. I wouldn't say that this has improved my photography, but my skills definitely evolve alongside my gear. The more you shoot, the more you'll understand what works for you and what doesn't. Then you start leaning towards certain styles of photography, and that influences your choices in lenses and gear.

Matt: Kirk you're one of the few creatives I follow on Instagram who isn’t purely Watch focused but I’ve definitely noticed you shooting more watch shots and your collection growing. Is this a new passion for you? How did this start?

Kirk: It started around the same time I started my IG account. I grew up always wearing a watch on my wrist. My father always gifted my watches, and I got a watch as a wedding present. I liked watches but I was never deep into it. Until my boss gifted me the renowned Seiko SKX007, he was starting to get into watches too and wanted me to dive in as well.

Matt: By boss do you mean Peter? And the SKX007 from Seiko has been a gateway watch for many collectors! Have you been tempted to mod it and put a Kirk Lucas twist to it yet?

Kirk: Yeah, Peter McKinnon bought an SKX007 for himself and for me. I considered modding it multiple times -- better bezel, better crystal, better movement. Ultimately I decided to save up for the Seiko watch I actually wanted, the SPB143. I already have a modded SKX which I should probably show more of.

Matt: So the last 18 months or so has been a rollercoaster for the world in general with the global pandemic and you also becoming a father (Congratulations again!) with all these changes. How do you feel this has affected you creatively?

Kirk: Thanks! Yeah, it has been quite the ride. Creatively it's been a challenge in terms of finding the time and energy to be creative. With a growing kid (toddler now), I only have so much free time to take photos and make posts on IG. Making captions for IG posts, by the way, takes up so much time! It's easier for me to take photos than to write something interesting for my followers to read.

Matt: I hear you! Captions can be one of the hardest parts! And having a toddler hanging off your leg while you try to get that perfect flat lay really does test your skills! Do you find you have to be more organised or slick with your workflow to reduce the pressure and stay creative?

Kirk: I am far from organized! When it comes to workflow around my photography, it's whenever I find the time. I don't have time to plan, I only have as long as my kid’s naps which is 1-2 hours. 90% of all my photos posted are rushed, taken on my desk, or in my backyard.

Matt: In my experience, people collect watches or anything for that matter for a whole host of different reasons. What is it that has drawn you to watches and is this a growing passion?

Kirk: Of course there's history, craftsmanship, and sentimentality but as shallow as it is, I like watches because they simply look good! My passion for watches is very much tied to my passion for photography. I like to look at exceptional photos of watches, and I like to take (hopefully) exceptional photos of watches.

Matt: I hear you hear there are some watches that just look stunning and I’d love the opportunity just to photograph! Any watches you’d like to spend a day shooting?

Kirk: Hmm... I haven't really thought about that. I'm just realizing now too, I enjoy trying to build a set around a watch and contextualize it in a photo rather than just a photo of the watch. What clothes go well with the watch? What colours complement the watch? What environment suits it best? Things like that.

Matt: You have a distinctive photography style and look that really draws the viewer in and makes them feel something for the images. Tell me a bit about that style and look and how it's developed and where it comes from?

Kirk: As you've mentioned in an earlier question, my IG account isn't purely a watch account. It's a moody lifestyle account that happens to have watches, knives, EDC items, etc. My style is heavily influenced by another lifestyle/EDC account -- Pete's Pirate Life because... I work for the guy! I help him with his photos and the style just bleeds into mine because that's just what my job is.

Matt: I imagine working with Peter is both fun and challenging! What’s been the most exciting part of the job so far?

Kirk: I never know what to expect!

Each project can be different from the one prior and that keeps things exciting!

Matt: Looking at the watches you post you seem to have a real love for the rugged, tool watch style? How many watches do you have now? And are there any special ones in the collection that hold a special meaning for you?

Kirk: I should really get an everyday watch and a dress watch to diversify my collection a bit. Yeah, I like a bit of practicality in watches so I lean towards the rugged tool watch. I have roughly 12+ watches in my collection. I have 3 watches that are special to me because of sentimentality and I've never shown them on my account, maybe I will someday.

Matt: Now a question that’s bound around the watch world and always gets people thinking! If money were no object what would be in Kirks ultimate 3 watch collection and why?

Kirk: I never have a good answer to these because I never think about this. Patek Philippe Nautilus, I don't think I need to explain this. Rolex Explorer, despite being the most "attainable" on my list, is just a watch I would want to wear every day. And because why not... a Richard Mille. I love me an obnoxious G-Shock watch and a ridiculous over-engineered Richard Mille watch is the million-dollar alternative.

Matt: Richard Mille the million-dollar G-Shock alternative lol I like that! 

Matt: Looking back over the last few years of your journey with photography, watches and just life in general, what advice would you give the Kirk Lucas of 5 years ago if you could go back in time and sit him down for a chat.

Kirk: BUY BITCOIN! Haha seriously though, I'd just tell myself to keep doing what you're doing, but do it with perseverance and passion.

Matt:  I hear you on BITCOIN! lol but I think that’s a great point on perseverance and passion! I hear a lot of people who struggle with perseverance because they don’t get the quick response sometimes they want from platforms like Instagram. Any advice for photographers who want to share their work on social media?

Kirk: It really depends on what your goals are on Instagram. For photographers that want to grow on the platform, find your niche. The quality of watch photos on IG is insane! I can't keep up with it! When you find that niche though, do your best to subvert expectations by trying different things in your niche. Taking my approach to watch photography on my account, for example, I try (not always) to add more lifestyle into the shot. Sometimes it's as simple as zooming out and letting the watch be smaller in the frame, the challenge would be to now try and fill the rest of the composition.

Matt: For someone starting out in photography, what 3 things do you wish you had known or learned earlier in your journey?

Kirk: Lighting is more important than the camera and the lens. Layer your photos, foreground, subject and background. Learning never stops, just keep shooting.

Matt: So what’s on the horizon for you, any interesting upcoming projects for people to look at for you and what is the next watch you have your eye on?

Kirk: I never know what the next project I'll be working on but I do want to tackle indie game development again somehow. I currently don't have a watch in my immediate sights, but I'm keeping an eye out till something grabs my attention.

Kirk’s Photography definitely makes me stop and stare and in a world where we seem to be on the never-ending swipe on Instagram, that's a special thing indeed! A down to earth family man who balances being a husband and father with a demanding creative job is a real inspiration! 

Kirk's points on perseverance are something I think we can all take away and learn from! Perseverance and passion are key to any sort of creativity and in a busy world, these things can take a hit very quickly! But if the passion can be kept burning this sure helps keep things on a positive path moving forward!

I wish Kirk all the best wherever his creative journey takes him in the future and look forward to following his watch collecting journey too!

Check out more of Captain Kirk Lucas’s work over on Instagram here