London Fashion Week - Feb 2013

As mentioned in my previous post, I am very lucky to be the winner of Canon UK's 2012 'Shoot like a pro' competition and last month I found myself based at Somerset House for London Fashion Week 2013.

It was ridiculously surreal and took a few days to sink in after I returned from London. It's been a very busy month since my return from London, thanks to university, however it's probably time to write up about it!

My first, and biggest day was Friday 15th February. I arrived at Somerset House at 9am, to be greeted by an excited crowd awaiting the start of Zoë Jordan and the official start to LFW AW13. I was quite nervous, thinking that everyone was going to be intimidating but I was pleasantly surprised by how everyone was so friendly and accommodating.

Before I knew it, I was going into the photographer's pit into the assigned canon spot. When I was shooting LFWeekend, it was only us students so we had plenty of room but at the time, we all thought it was still rather cramped. Now I know that the space we had at LFWeekend was luxurious compared to how cramped the photographer's pit is during the big Fashion Week. I was lucky to have the assigned canon spot in the pit so I didn't have to worry about having to squeeze in too much; some photographer's were not as lucky and had to last minute jump in between places. On several occasions I even had people ask if they could sit in between my legs - everyone became good friends quite quickly. 

As we were awaiting the show to start, photographer's flashes were constantly firing off as celebrities posed before taking their front row seats. Throughout the day, I heard people shouting the name 'Mollie King'; I have never heard of her but now I know that she's a part of a band called The Saturdays and she loves hogging the front row for almost every show. Apart from members of pop groups I have never heard of and 'actors' off reality shows I never watch, there were a lot of pretty cool famous people and editors milling around... all to add to the surreality. 

Finally, the lights are down and I'm shooting my first big fashion show. 

Entitled 'Foundations', Jordan's sculptured AW13 collection is inspired by post-modern masters and the baroque cathedrals of Italy. Alongside the Italian aesthetics of the collection, it was also heavily inspired by her recent move back to London. Jordan depicts the british urban landscape through the bold yet minimalist colours and graphic prints. 

As most fashion shows do, my first show was over and done with in about 10 minutes. Although, I was due to shoot Bora Aksu within the hour. Meaning, I quickly had time to download my images and a short rest before getting back in the pit to guard the canon spot. I definitely didn't fancy turning up at the last minute and having to kick someone out of my spot - I'm sure it's considered polite to sit in your area so people know you're there anyway. 

For Autumn/Winter 2013 Bora Aksu revisited the twenties, mixed in with the inspiration of Rosie and Jenny Dolly. The Dolly sisters were known for their mixture of innocence & mischief and this was perfectly represented through the creation of contrasts within the collection. A perfect example of contrasts could be seen within the reinvention of the flapper dress, using the mixture of luxe leather and delicate lace. 

After Bora Aksu, I was already starting to feel shattered! So after downloading my images and starting the process of going through everything, I had a well-deserved lunch break. 

On my return it was time for Felder Felder, and I was once again back in the cramped and sweaty conditions of the photographer's pit. Note: If you're thinking about shooting a Fashion Week, go to the gym and work out your biceps in preparation! By my third show, I felt like my arms were going to snap off underneath the weight of the large lenses Canon were ever so kindly letting me use. I'm not exactly the best person when it comes to the technical side of photography but the Canon team were very helpful, which helped me in remaining calm!

In the pits awaiting Felder Felder

Autumn/Winter at Felder Felder this year sees inspiration from one of my favourite photographers, Sarah Moon and 70's skateboarder Tony Alva. While maintaining their luxe and sophisticated design, the Felder twins perfectly convey grunge aesthetics simultaneously.

FINALLY a model tripped. In one swift movement she tripped on her dress, kicked her shoes off and carried them to the end.

After Felder Felder, I returned to Canon's Photographer Suite once again to attempt to start going through the many images I had taken throughout the day. Despite it being only about 5pm, I was completely lacking in energy so decided to spend the rest of the day watching the shows instead of shooting them. I was privileged to be able to watch Jean-Pierre Braganza and PPQ, finishing off my unreal first day at LFW. 

                 

Final parade at Jean-Pierre Braganza 

                            

Sophie Ellis Bextor getting papped infront of me prior to PPQ

Although I was initially only supposed to be attending LFW on the friday, my pass was for the entire week. So I obviously took full advantage by popping in as much as possible. I was lucky enough to be attend shows such as Jasper Conrad and Issa.

Jasper Conrad's beautifully bright procession

As stated many a time, the entire experience was surreal and I am extremely grateful for the experience. It was a very busy few days and I definitely needed quite a few days to recover when I came back to not-so-busy Norwich. It was my first Fashion Week and I definitely hope it's not my last! 

What have I been doing?!

It's been almost a full 9 months since my last post and a lot has happened in this period of time!
My blogging came to a hault last summer when I started my 3 month internship as a Post Production Assistant for the renowned photographer, Rankin.
During my time at Rankin, I learnt a lot across all departments and helped organise many of his exhibitions.
After a long summer of hard work, I managed to get a few weeks off before returning to university late September for my third and final year. It has come to no surprise that it's been stressful and even more hard work.
However, it began with a pleasant start with thanks to Canon UK. Canon invited students across the country to attend London Fashion Weekend and shoot the trend shows and selected designers in the photographers pit. All students were then encouraged to submit a portfolio of 5 images from each show towards Canon's 'shoot like a pro' competition, where you could win the opportunity to shoot the big London Fashion Week in February 2013 as an accredited photographer along with winning a pretty new 650d.
I submitted and thought nothing of it - I never win anything.

A month down the line, I get a phone call from university telling me I've won the LFWeekend competition. Of course, I thought they had got the wrong person but when a 650d turned up on my doorstep a few days later, It all started to really sink in.
I have since been featured on CPN Canon Professional Network, BBC Norfolk and my hometown's local newspaper. Everything all felt very surreal and it was ridiculous to see people take interest in my work.
London Fashion Week came round pretty quick, but that deserves a post of it's own!

Over the christmas holiday, I interned for Wonderland Magazine as a Fashion Intern. Wonderland was very different to my time at Rankin but it was brilliant to be on the fashion side of the editorials. Similarly to Rankin, my days were very long and sometimes did not arrive home until 10pm - which is hard work especially when you are an unpaid intern. However, I did get the honour of assisting for the renowned stylist Grace Cobb on her work for Elle US alongside my work for Wonderland.

On return to university in January, work got even more stressful thanks to my looming dissertation deadline. Thankfully that was handed in by late January, so I have since been able to focus on my practical work and experience.
February was a much happier month; I went down to London to be a photographic assistant for famous music photographer, Andy Earl and of course, my time at London Fashion Week.

When summarising my past year, it does look pretty fun but I can assure you, it's been a lot of hard work while continuing to become more stressful. It'll be all worth it in the end but the countdown to my final hand-in at uni is down to a mere 2 months. I'm now just looking forward to graduating, despite how sad it'll be to leave my Norwich friends, and start working in the industry.

PS - be sure to check out my website, it's gone under a few small changes.

Bryony Bolland & Saskia Hadley

So, last week I did a commissioned shoot for NUCA Fashion Students, Bryony Bolland & Saskia Hadley. We worked with Joy Cruickshank, who modeled for my Solstice project.
As they were commissioned, they were shot under the direction of Bryony & Saskia themselves. My style for Fashion is usually on location so it was great to be in the studio for a change! Whereas I like to be quite surreal with my colours, it was also interesting to keep the photos very sleek, modern and clinical.

Bryony's dress was from her Deconstruct/Reconstruct university brief. In this project they were given clothing from Cancer Research UK that did not sell on the shop floor, the clothes were then broken down and used to create cutting edge garments. I am unaware what clothes were used to put together Bryony's work but believe it is fair to say that she has successfully transformed the clothes with no trace of the unwanted, charity shop clothes.
To compliment the dark & edgy dress, Joy was styled with her hair slicked back; bold, black eyes & dark cheekbones - all effectively creating a dark canvas for the beautiful, hand-made collar.
click on the photos to see them larger. 

Straight after shooting Bryony's dress, Bryony & Saskia got to work transforming Joy into Saskia's modern, pastel dress that is reminiscent of 60s fashion.
Saskia's dress is from their first university brief 'Connections'. This project encouraged the students to investigate recent trends and the collaborations between designers and high street stores. For the first project of the first year at university, Saskia's work is of a high standard and has a dynamic use of colour.
Joy momentarily went from a shoot that required attitude to a conflicting shoot that was very bright & playful. Joy made this transition easily & needed little direction - signs of a very good model! Joy was now styled with basic  make-up that was, once again, reminiscent of Twiggy.

                                               

Altogether, it was a fantastic experience. Within 2 hours, at most, I had shot two completely different photo shoots. I'm sure there's a lot more to come from Bryony & Saskia and I hope to work with them again in the future.

Check out Bryony's blog here!


- Charlotte

Long time, no see.

Hello!

Apologies for not updating recently, I have been very busy with my final project of second year.
However, I'm now all finished and already starting to prep for my third and final year - it's all very daunting!

My recent project, entitled 'Solstice', is a Spring/Summer Fashion series and is heavily inspired by Piero della Francesca and several other Christian Artists.
I worked with a fantastic team of models; Joy Cruickshank, Poppy Keith, Catherine Wilson & Frances Roberson. I also worked with make-up artist, Emily Kissock and NUCA Fashion students, Bryony Bolland & Jade Searby who helped as stylists.
We shot over a couple of days and everyone was simply brilliant!

I submitted my portrait of Joy to Vogue Italia and it was accepted!
You can see it here

Since hand-in, it's been much more relaxed and I've just about finished finalising this project.


I've recently been organising work for over and good news!!
In two weeks I'm going to be moving to London and working as a Rankin's Post Production Assistant for 3 months!! I'm very excited and it still hasn't really sunk in yet...
I've got a few photoshoots planned in my final weeks before I start but otherwise I'll be relatively quiet over summer with new work.

Next Monday I am shooting for Bryony Bolland so expect new work shortly!

Charlotte

Test shoot with Stephanie

So after lots of research, i'm finally getting to the fun bit.
I have 5 shoots this week; all equipped with models, stylists & a make-up artist. It's all very daunting yet exciting at the same time.
This is probably the biggest project i've done so far. 
Today, I went around my chosen locations with my housemate, Steph, to do a final test shoot.
As they were just being taken for research/sketchbook work, I wasn't expecting anything special. However, I was pleasantly surprised as these two came out rather lovely. Very pink, very 'spring'.

I'm onto the exciting bit of my project now, so expect more frequent updates. 


- Charlotte

Charlotte's Ely expedition

So, i've been submerged in my research for my current project and I havn't really had chance to start shooting.

I'm looking at Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance Christian Art as 'The Church' is my chosen theme - we had to choose between the church, the suit and vodka for our brief. So over Easter I took a little trip to my local, magnificent cathedral in Ely.

I went by myself and ended up taking the tour. Amongst families and elders, I stuck out like a sore thumb.

However, I could now tell you more facts about Ely Cathedral than I could about anything else.

Ely Cathedral is very beautiful and if you're in the area, I definitely suggest you take a visit.

Please excuse, these are just snapshots for sketchbook purposes. 

An Artist called Anneke Kaai was exhibiting at Ely Cathedral; Her work shown was a series of surreal painting images inspiring by her christianity.
You can find her work here

I simply just did not understand the above sign.

- Charlotte

Like me?

I've just set up a Facebook page for my Photography.
Please go 'like' me, i'm lonely. 

I think, I hope, I now have all forms of social networking covered.
Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn... Please do let me know if i'm missing out on something!


- Charlotte