Agency Testing
Model agency tests in Manchester
There's two types of tests. The one where a model turns up hoping to hell that the photographer/MUA/stylist has some clue and doesn't completely waste their day (or days) with some half-baked 'concept' shoot, and the ones where they turn up with cash in their hands in return for some images that will freshen up their agency page. I haven't had time for the former this year - but love doing the latter.
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On Desperation
The ethics of test shoots.
If you read any previous posts you already know my thoughts on providing work to commercial entities for free, and on submissions. I came across a beautiful example this week of how both these areas can collide in a car crash of exploitation.
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Golden Girl
Fashion Test Shoot
"Self Publish Be Happy"
Just a nice, simple little test with Beth Leader from Industry & Elite. It's all about the glow at the moment, and Paula did an amazing job on working Beth's skin to a beautiful shine...
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Run Baby Run
Sports Fashion Test Shoot
To accompany the previous post 'On Fashion Editorial Submissions' here's a 'self publish be happy' editorial set. It was shot in a few hours in cold studio in Manchester with a quick pull from American Apparel and some beautiful body glisten from Caroline.
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On Submissions
To submit or not to submit
It feels like I can't do a simple test today without somebody involved asking where it's going to be submitted. Or "Can we submit?". Or stating "I only test if it's for submission".
Yeah. We'll submit to 125. Or Purple. Maybe Vogue. Love. Wonderland. They're doing a feature on local designers shot in provincial towns this month. Perfect.
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Back to Front
RIP Front Magazine
It was Mark Twain who said (or didn't say, depending on which internet source Google takes you to) "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" - but, for the moment, Front magazine's current issue is sadly their last. After 16 years and 191 issues the alternative lads mag has ceased to be. It's not the first lad's mag to hit hard times recently. The original lad's mag - Loaded - has gone through two resurrections in the last year. Front itself has had six different owners/publishers over its lifetime. It may yet rise again. But probably not.
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Redken Symposium 2014
Behind the curtain
I recently had backstage access to Lisa Shepherd's team at the Redken Symposium 2014 at Olympia. It's a while since I've shot a show - or even been near one of that scale - so took the opportunity to grab some candid shots of Lisa and her team of stylists, colourists, makeup artists and models...
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On Frames
Other people’s images
The following post might be achingly obvious to anyone who's walked an 'artistic' road through life. I'm a little lacking in the Fine Art History stakes. I know Van Gogh hacked an ear off and that a Picasso is a French car for people that don't like driving. And that's about it
I'm rarely completely satisfied with my own images. Most photographers I know feel the same about their own shots. Other people's frames are infinitely more enjoyable than your own.
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