I have recently realized - and I'm not sure why I didn't realize this earlier - that the ideal place for me within the world of photography would be in the fashion community, both editorial and advertising. When I was younger my dream job was to be the Editor in Chief of Vogue and I have always retained my desire to work in the magazine world. Fashion photography is the perfect melding of two things that I love and desire to pursue.
For my Senior Portfolio project I would like to produce a series of images that convey a meaningful concept but retain a fashion aesthetic.
I am currently obsessed with the new Tous advertising campaign shot by Leanne Buckham. The campaign feature Kylie Minogue , dressed to girlie perfection, enjoying herself in a lush, over-the-top party scene. There is something so playful, fun and decadent about the images that I fell in love with them right away. They remind me in a way of the aesthetic in Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette.
The idea behind my concepts project last year began with the slogan "Celebrate Your Youth". It turned into more of a commentary on the passage of time and completely lost the celebration aspect in the end due to a devastating circumstance within my circle of friends . A part of me would really like to go back to the idea of Celebrate Your Youth and work it from a different angle. I would love to create lively, energetic, fun and beautiful images - like those in the Tous campaign - that capture a celebration of life and youth.
Another idea I'm toying with came out of a class I took this summer. In English 200, which requires one to write a 13 page research paper, I decided to study the connection that the mind has to the physical body. I spent weeks doing nothing by medical research and find myself to be pretty knowledgeable on the subject now. Although this idea is still in the early stages, I would love to find ways to depict this connection and the unbelievable power that psychological factors have over the physical body. To portray in a photograph, things that are intangible - such as psychological states, would definitely be a challenge. I had the idea of using light as a metaphor of sorts for this power.
I love the work of fashion photographer and film director, Carter Smith. His use of light is amazing and seems to be his trademark of sorts. This shoot is particular has such a light and airy feel, while the models expressions remain distant and subdued, that it seems to hint at deeper things.
