Phoenix followup

So the images from Phoenix look great, sent out everyone proofs. Get an email from B Love, the owner of the location we shot at, and she wants to use a couple of the images in a piece of art. I’ve heard of TFP/CD before but never Trade for Art. So of course I cant wait to see what she does with it. I’ll post an image once she’s down.

Creative Spotlight : Agyness Deyn (Fashion Model)

So this month I wanted to shine my spotlight on Agyness Deyn a 25 year old British model she got her break when she was signed by Models 1 in London, and has since been on the cover of US, British, Italian and even Korean Vogue and worked with a huge list of designers Anna Sui, Blugirl by Blumarine, Burberry, Cacharel, Gianfranco Ferré, Moussy, Maison Gilfy, Shiseido, Giorgio Armani, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Reebok and Vivienne Westwood. The face of Burburry’s “The Beat” fragrance. She been often referenced as the next version of one of my other favourite models Kate Moss. Could be the because she’s British, the love of musicians who knows but shes an amazing model in her own right.

Here is a profile vogue did on her, let me know your opinions.

Photoshoot in Phoenix

Went to do a test shoot in Phoenix to try out some ideas that wanted out. I worked Jodi Carey (Makeup), Shannon Campbell (Wardrobe) and Daniela Lazar (Model from Ford). We shoot at a great location in Glendale called An Art Affair which was designed by Will Bruder, its one of those locations that for some strange reason hasnt been discovered and shot to death. Many thanks to B Love for letting up use the location all day.

We shot five sets and everyone worked really hard, I love it when you do a test shoot and everyone treats it as if it’s a commercial shoot. Daniela is a great model. She was telling me she was heading to LA to looking to sign with an agency, cant wait to see what she’s up to in a company of years. I’ve never seen a wardrobe stylist bring so much clothing to a photoshoot that they had only 24 hours of notice of, truly amazing. I’m honored to have Jodi Carey as a friend as well as someone I get to work with. She really talented and super creative, plus doesnt mind telling me when I’m missing something or even if I’m flat out wrong. I realize this entry has become a cheerleading exercise but it truly was a fantastic experience working with everyone. So the least I could possibly do let everyone know how highly I recommend them all.

Seven photographs that changed the fashion

So I just finished watching a BBC show called “Seven Photographs that Changed Fashion”. The show takes us through British fashion photography Rankin recreation of seven of his favourite fashion images. He first does it with the technology of the day and then with the equipment he is currently using when he shoots. Everything from Cecil Beaton’s 1934 “Hat Box” with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, as the model, I’m so in love with Sophie, to more modern images such as Herb Ritt’s “Fred with Tires”.

The behind the scenes stuff is very funny especially he’s banter with David Bailey, Rankin is a fantastic photography but without a doubt you can tell he was just a tad intimidated by David Bailey as we all would be I think. You can see the individual recreations here at the Daily Telegraphs site. If you have access to it I’d highly recommend catching the show, its a nice break from all the fashion reality shows that I deny I watch. Really I dont watch any of them. 😉

Creative Spotlight : Gray Scott (Fashion Photography)

So this month I’m spotlighting fashion photographer along with Francis Hills, Gray have been the most amazing photographers I have meet in the industry. Gray is work is unbelievable, he is a true groundbreaking. He’ll hate me for saying that but the mannequin look at you see other photographers shooting now days, that’s Gray’s creation. He brought that to us and everyone else has just blatantly ripped it off. He’s work is so distinct that you don’t even need to see the byline you know who’s work it is. Gray would describe himself as an artist and he truly is. Which you’ll see from the film shorts he’s directed.
He is one of the few photographers that has inspired me more than any other. Dont get me wrong I love the work of Cecil Beaton, David Bailey, Herb Ritz, David LaChapelle etc but Gray was one of the first photographers that I found accessible. That wasn’t too important to answer probably some really lame questions I shot him in an email and I’d always appreciate that. I traded back a forth fifteen or so emails and he always replied prompted and answer any question I had of him.

Anyway check out his interview for Livebooks who hosts his site.

Creative Spotlight : Hussein Chalayan (Fashion Designer)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

So without a doubt Hussein Chalayan is one of my favourite designers, Hussein Chalayan marks 15 years in fashion with a solo exhibition at London’s Design Museum. Here, the avant-garde designer reflects on his most memorable moments. Which they of course open four days after I left to come back to the states.

Creative Spotlight : Kate Moss (Fashion Model)

Well Kate hardly need any introduction, she got a lot of stick about being the model that brought us heroin chic but I think that’s really unfair. She’s an amazingly versatile model and absolutely beautiful. Kate was born in London she was discovered by Sarah Doukas, the founder of Storm Model Management at JFK Airport after coming back from a holiday. Probably the best non-stop flight Kate has ever taken I’d dare to say. She became known as the anti-model, probably did a lot to help put the skids under the supermodels of the time. Her first big campain was for Calvin Klein of course. She’s gone on to work with Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Missoni, Longchamp, David Yurman, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Burberry,Stella McCartney and countless others. Had a setback with the cocaine scandal but that appears to be nothing but a slight speed bump. I don’t think anyone wanted to drop her but felt they had to to appear to be doing the right thing. She was part of the Kate Mosh line that appeared at Top Shop, as with a most of Kate’s career this also was surrounded with controversy but all press seems to be good press for her.

Here is the profile Style magazine did on Kate Moss.

Creative Spotlight : Francis Hills (Fashion Photography)

So this months spotlight in on fashion/celebrity photography Francis Hills, He is probably what a lot of people would call of the new breed of fashion photographers. He only started shooting in 2002 but has blazed a trail ever since.  Way too many credits to list and regular appearances on the Scandinavian versions of Next Top Model. Not only is he extremely talent but amazingly well grounded. I have to relive a story about my first contact with Francis, just to demonstrate this.

When I first started to take my photography seriously I came across an article on Apple’s site about pro’s who use Apple technology. So I’m reading about this fellow English man who reminds me of a little of myself or at least where I’d like to be. So I shot Francis and email and just told him that the article inspired me to really go for what I loved. We bounce a couple of emails back and forth and he says hey I’m going to be in San Francisco for a tour I’m doing thats sponsored by Hassleblad why don’t you come along and say hi. So I go along watch Francis’ demo the H2D I believe and afterwards I introduce myself and thank him for the encouraging emails and figure we’d be good. He finishes up his work and come back over to me ask if I’d want to ask anymore questions which totally threw me. Francis then proceeded to buy me three beers and answer a million questions from me. I was so amazed at his generosity with his time that I didn’t even think about how I’m not even paying for this man’s beer. After a couple of hours I had to leave I was already late for an appointment, I certainly hadnt planed on Francis giving me so much of his time. It wasn’t until I was driving away, that I realized that I hadnt’ pulled my wallet out once. You’re a good man Francis and I dont just say that because your English!

944 follow up & 1ds m3 vs D3 shoot out

So we finished up a set we didnt managed to get done last time for 944. 944 also brought us two Nikon D3’s to play with. Which was a lot of fun especially as Mo is a Nikon nut. So it was interesting to pit to the flagship camera’s up against each other. Who won? We’ll that would depend who you ask the Nikon nut or the Canon fan. 🙂

944 (SF)

So we got to work with 944 magazine for a photoshoot for their soon to be launched San Francisco edition. We’ve always loved this magazine since it caught our eye during our first shoot in LA. Keep your eyes peeled for that. We’ll post some images once we get approval,