In Conversation: Louis Bever
Louis Bever collects football shirts, shoots on film, cooks in Le Creuset, and wouldn’t be caught dead in a Spurs kit. His portraits are proof that football and feeling can live in the same frame.
By Glorious
Photography by Louis Bever
It could start with a pie. Or a Ryanair safety card. Louis Bever isn’t exactly sure, but that’s how some of his favourite ideas begin. Something odd catches his eye while he’s out dropping off film, buying tomatoes, or thinking about dinner, and it sticks. “I’ve been thinking about this recently, I get this ‘just right’ feeling.” That same instinct shapes how he works with football shirts. Sometimes he finds a painting first and chooses a shirt to match it. Sometimes he just shoots the shirts he likes.
Louis’s work sits somewhere between Romanticism and a Panini football sticker. His portraits mix the detail of real life with the boldness of football culture. You’ll find people happy, sad, half-asleep, couples laughing, snogging. You can see exactly who they are.
A 90s kit with a big fat Nike tick or a Carlsberg logo might feature in one frame, set against a backdrop that nods to classical painting or art history. He shoots mainly on film, often in his own flat, using a medium format camera that slows everything down. The results are soft, intimate and unmistakably his. That instinctive approach – playful, precise and just a little romantic – has led to a photography career that doesn’t really look like anyone else’s.
His childhood was a patchwork of languages, places, and fresh starts. Louis’s father was in the military, so he moved every few years, growing up between France, Germany and Italy. At thirteen, he arrived in France without speaking the language. “Playing football, taking pictures, and skateboarding helped me make friends wherever I moved.” That instinct to connect through shared interests stuck. Years later, it still shapes how he approaches his work.
Louis moved back to England to study law at the University of Liverpool, where he completed his degree, but photography slowly took over. He went on to do a Master’s in Photography at the Manchester School of Art, where the technical side began to fall into place. When he first started freelancing, he said yes to everything. “I took on anything to build my portfolio and pay my rent. I also had no idea what I enjoyed taking pictures of.” That changed once he started focusing on what he already loved. “Over time, I became more selfish and realised I love football, fashion and art. I decided to work more around those themes as they’re interests of mine anyway.” He stopped second-guessing what a photographer was supposed to shoot and let instinct lead the way.
These days, ideas tend to come while he’s on the move. “I am constantly out of the flat, dropping film off, seeing friends, buying cooking ingredients, and gardening bits and bobs. Something tends to pop into my head as I’m walking somewhere.” He doesn’t try to over-explain it. “It’s easier to put yourself in physical positions when thinking of something new or when a new idea pops up. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Whether he’s photographing friends in his flat, working on a Women’s World Cup campaign with adidas, or shooting for other big commercial clients like Umbro, Salomon, The North Face or Ralph Lauren, his approach doesn’t change. It’s the same if the subject is Marcus Rashford or the security guard at Wimbledon Tennis.
“I treat every person that stands in front of my camera the same. Regardless of who that person is or what they do, I make every subject feel at ease and enjoy themselves.” Most of the time, there isn’t much room to overthink it. “With the projects that I do, the time slots are usually so small that there is little time to reflect on this.” But the process works. “Everyone has a great story, so I will let the photo reflect on this. I’ve never had a footballer in front my lens who was difficult or uncomfortable to be around, which has made it a lot easier.”
He’s pleased to see more people getting behind the women’s game. “It’s great to see that it’s growing and influencing more people from various backgrounds to enjoy the sport.” As for match photography? “I’ve never been invited to shoot any teams on the field, but I’d love to try it.” Until then, and we’re pretty sure the call will come soon, he’s focused on portraits. They’re more considered, and rooted in the character of each person he photographs.
opportunities
The painterly quality in his photographs comes from somewhere personal. His mum used to take him and his brother around galleries, and the house was always full of art books. He’s always liked the idea of painting, but never had the patience for it. “I tried to find a way through photography to get a similar feeling.” “I usually trust my belly on the way something looks and it’s great as it now takes me 1/125th of a second to take a picture rather than spending days or months on one painting.” The result is a visual identity that feels nostalgic but never stuck. Louis knows what he’s drawn to, and the photos reflect that. “I love a bit of romance so I try and put it into my work.” His favourite painting is Charles Nahl’s ‘Dead Miner’, and Caspar Friedrich has greatly inspired his work, but he doesn’t go searching for highbrow connections. Sometimes the inspiration starts with a painting, sometimes with a football shirt. He collects those too. He started at 15 and his collection is still going strong. “They’re fantastic, and I’ve always enjoyed collecting things.” Alongside the shirts, he’s got collection of vintage Le Creuset and a solid selection of ties with animals on them. It makes sense if you know his photos.
Louis doesn’t wear football shirts outside the flat. Not because he’s precious about them, but because, as he puts it, “I’m nearly 30 and not TikTok influencer.” He has a clear sense of what suits him and sticks to it. “I’ve been dressing the same way since I was a teenager: sports shorts, a T-shirt or Polo, and a pair of Air Max 95s.” If it’s chilly, he leans on an early-2000s classic. “I suggest doing an Avril Lavigne’s ‘Sk8r Boi’ and chucking a long-sleeve T under the short-sleeve.” Even date nights come with a clear rule. “On that hugely rare occasion when I’m on a date, I’ll wear trousers and a shirt. I enjoy being comfortable.”
Elevenerife
His comfort with his own style extends to the kits he shoots. Louis is an Arsenal fan, but he has no allegiance when it comes to shirts he photographs. “If a Spurs shirt looks good, then why not?” he says, although there are limits. “Personally, I’d never do any self-portraits in Spurs shirts.” Asked if he’d ever wear one in public, the answer’s immediate. “I’d rather wear a Donald Trump ‘MAGA’ hat than a Spurs shirt, no chance!”
He’s observant when it comes to the stranger side of football culture. When Louis moved to the UK, the emotional extremes some fans experienced surprised him. “I hear ‘we lost’ which I find irritating. Arsenal haven’t employed you, your midfield job isn’t on the line, and stop hitting the table.” He’s annoyed by badge-flexing and some fans need to outdo each other, “If you’ve gone to Tenerife, they’ve gone to Elevenerife with football stories or facts. Bizarre behaviour. I avoid spending time with these individuals…”
That mix of clarity, humour and personal logic runs through all of Louis’s work. He’s not trying to follow fashion or keep pace with the algorithm. “The pictures just make me happy, so I’ve kept taking them.” He’s clear-eyed about what happens when people forget that. “A lot of people are consuming too much Instagram, following trends online to the point that their work lacks identity. It’s a lot easier to take pictures but harder to stand out.” His advice for anyone starting out is to stay close to the things they actually like. “Make your coffee at home and take pictures for yourself. If anyone else likes your pictures, then that’s a bonus.” He encourages people to follow their own threads, no matter how niche. “If you enjoy taking pictures of competitive canoeing, do it. If you enjoy niche Scottish highland games, do this. If you’re feeling really creative, link two of your interests together.”
When he’s not shooting, Louis is still busy, just in different ways. He loves cooking, gardening, and doing very little. “I’ll be sweating over a casserole pot or flower bed when I’m not taking pictures or annoying my mates about potential ideas.” He insists most freelance photographers have more time than they let on. And he uses his wisely.
Looking ahead, Louis has a few dream collaborations on the list. “I grew up in France, so I’d love to shoot brands that remind me of my childhood – Lacoste, Le Creuset, or even the French football team. That would be class.” And if there’s one person he’d most like to photograph? “Rod Stewart any day.”
That answer says more than it might seem. It’s not random. It fits. Rod Stewart is style, performance, nostalgia, attitude. The kind of subject who’d look completely at home in one of Bever’s portraits. Louis isn’t chasing relevance, and he’s not trying to impress the art world. He’s just following the things he loves. Football. Portraits. A bit of romance. A lot of instinct.
His photography doesn’t force itself to mean anything. The images sit quietly with you. They hold onto stories without overstating them. They leave space for memory and a bit of mischief. They’re about what feels right. That’s not a marketing strategy. That’s someone who’s just doing what they’re meant to be doing. And it shows.
Visit Louis’ website here: louisbever.com & be sure to follow him on Instagram @louisbever
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