Inspiration

So, I wrote this about 4 hours ago and it took forever to sort out and then I mess it up by logging out at some point thus losing all the goodness - so I have had to re-write it all, therefore if it isn't quite as witty and informative as you'd hope then that was definitely in the lost blog post.
So, second time around...
A blog reader of mine has asked for a little more insight into the process of a shoot and all that jazz and as alot of my recent work is intended for publication I have used an older piece of work to show you all from start to finish - obviously only from my perspective.

The work is from the fashion issue of Supplementaire that was released earlier this year. If you don't know it by now then shame on you - the editor has since set up a specialist menswear magazine that is taking the world by storm and set for big big things... I know this because I work on the layouts of the magazine and get to see it before anybody else!

Firstly I discussed the content and general style of the feature to ensure that we were both happy, I got the go-ahead and he sent me the details of some models to use - this is because he oversees the casting for the magazines.

The team:
Model: Mark Lavelle at D1 models
Styling: Krishan Parmar
Grooming: Shell Sullivan

I like to keep 'teams' as small as possible to bring a level of intimacy.

I sent Krishan a few guidelines and ideas for the styling, which were along the lines of those below - I suggested simple and clean styling that we could liven up with accessories.
I have a thing for putting things on boys heads; crowns, garlands, hats - anything. And my friend Lora Avedian (we've worked together on a few things) sent me this image by Nicolas Ripoll of a boy with a paper hat. I used this as my main inspiration point. Beyond 1 or 2 images that I send to a stylist, I rarely try to imagine what the work will look like. The reason for this is that I like to invite chance and to basically 'see what happens' when you put a certain model in a certain light in certain clothes - it seems to work too. That way i'm never disappointed because I have some big idea... Its organic and true.


I liked the softness of the Jean-Paul Gaultier ads, and also an editorial in Dazed and Confused that used a lot of J W Anderson pieces - a designer that inspires me hugely.

Anyway, shooting. I organised the location through a contact I made a while ago and have since become very good friends with... He has been a star and so so supportive of me and I really appreciate all of his help and hospitality.

In terms of grooming I always ask for coverage and a base, perhaps the odd defining of eyebrows etc but I stress that I don't like my boys to look like they have make-up on - its just not to my personal taste, Shell was excellent at this and is always a pleasure to work with.

Krishan brought the entire Damian Marquez collection that featured bright colours and odd textures, and to accompany the clothing he had created a selection of paper hats, boats and even threaded paper laces into a pair of shoes... Gorgeous.

At first the sun was really strong and sent blocks of unmanageable light into the room so we stayed away.
I stuck to available window light and used the subtle fluorescent strip lights also. This is probably a hugely understated lighting method - and one of my favourites.


The shoot was quite easy, quick and rather quiet. I am very confident when I shoot boys and know when I have 'the shot' and so move on fast, often getting a wide variety of different styles by changing light and angle and whatnot. I used the location as much as possible by working with glass and reflection - sometimes obscuring Mark's face and defocusing too.

This is the final contact sheet that I sent to the editor and I awaited his response.
An important thing to know (whether a designer lending pieces, make-up artist or model) is that regardless of whether your shoot is commissioned or not IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT THE STORY WILL MAKE THE FINAL CUT. Pull letter or not, the editor has the final word and if he/she feels that the story/artwork isn't relevant or fails to meet the desired standard then they can scrap it!
Anyway, thankfully he said yes, and selected the images he liked best.

A few of the final images:

And how they appeared in the magazine:


I hope that gave you a little insight.

I use my tumblr to post 5 inspirational things a day - but I thought i'd put a few links on here too to keep a few of you happy... They're all in my bookmarks folder and I check on them regularly to provide me with a different view on things, I love them all for different reasons.

Andrew Kuykendall
Alex Sainsbury
Amira Fritz
Tyrone Lebon
Eirik Slyngstad
Victoria Stevens
and
Beth Evans.

India x