XpatLoop Interview: Russell Skidmore
- 6 Feb 2013 11:00 AM
Born and grown up in Sheffield UK, I have graduated from Wolverhampton University with a BA (Hons) degree in graphic design. I moved to London right after that and worked as an Art Director for advertising agencies such as Leo Burnett, J. Walter Thopmson (including assignments in Paris and in Amsterdam) and Lintas. The list of clients I have worked with includes Kelloggs, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Kit Kat and Coca Cola. Having spent twelve years in London, I was offered a job at Lintas Budapest and then DDB as an Art Director and later as Creative Director working with Unilever, Coca Cola, Audi, The Hungarian Tourist Board and Milk Marketing Board.
After living six years in Budapest, I decided to move back to the UK, for family reasons, and there I had set up my own company, “Russell Skidmore Photography” and started working as a photographer. Clients included Leeds Chamber of Commerce, the Sheffield Business Club, Marriott Hotels, The Deaf and Blind Society and Kodak (with whom I had done my 2-year photography training, as well). I have specialized in portraits, PR/event and wedding photography. Running parallel with my own business, I have obtained a PGCE teaching qualification and have been teaching special-education-needs children digital photography, as well as, running business enterprise workshops for start up businesses for the last 12 years in Sheffield College.
Although, having now spent over twelve years in my home city, I still kept in contact with my friends in Budapest. I did a couple of shoots last year, and this experience coupled with personal reasons, gave me the impetus and inspiration to come back to Budapest once more to start up my business here.
1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
Arrived in Budapest about 10 days ago.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I lived in Budapest from 1994-2000
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The climate, the people, how beautiful it is.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Visit the spas, the restaurants..so many to choose from, a walk down Andrassy Ut, the views from the castle area,
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Roast goose leg with red cabbage
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Kefir, a couple of bottles of beer, some Hungarian sausage
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Kukorica
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Some friends and the Sunday papers
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Conservation, something to do with water
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
A full time 9-5, 5 days a week
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Rome and Florence
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Dubai or Croatia
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Pink Floyd, Being There (Peter Sellars), and fishing
14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
A good night out
15. Red wine or white?
Red
16. Book or movie?
Movie
17. Morning person or night person?
Both
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
At the moment, The English Church and there opposition to women and gay people
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Either.. both have great qualities
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Carpe dieum