issue #2
SUMMER / AUTUMN 2011
let’s talk
RACHEL HAYTON on the importance of style DUDOIR
let’s hear it for the boys plus much more inside...
“hello
This issue is dedicated to those that strive for excellence in all that they create. Eye Spy is for the creative thinkers who constantly liberate all boundaries where design is concerned – the rule breakers, trend setters and pioneers. I love with a passion all that photography should be and could be for the consumer. My message is for us to be the best we can be. Use your creative skills, imagination and intelligence within every shoot. Spoil every client and shower them with ideas which will express who they are. Be the photographer, movie maker, and story teller. Kate Hopewell-Smith, Lisa Aldersley and I have done a great deal of plotting this month, designing new shoot approaches, ideas and suggestions for the consumer. We need to inspire our consumer and blow them away with experiences, suggestions and photographic consideration. There is a new wave of styles about to hit the marketplace, all designed to give the marketplace a new vigour. My mission is simple
yet diverse in thought, as today’s professional photographer has to produce breathtaking images and collections. Convergence, moving capture, call it what you will... it’s arrived, and it has to be considered by all professionals as well as those entering the industry. Many will embrace it, indeed, have to embrace it, so Aspire are running moving capture courses on the 29th and 30th September to introduce it. If you are commercially minded, moving capture will certainly be on your list to learn this autumn. This is going to change the face of the social industry.”
The tide is high, so make sure you’re holding on.
ARE YOU KEEPING PACE? The world of photography never stands still. As new image makers enter the marketplace, you can’t ever become complacent about your role in the market. Self-improvement should always be on every photographer’s radar. We caught up with Natasha Davies, who’s been developing her skills at Aspire so as to stay ahead of the game in the ever-evolving field of wedding photography... “For me, it’s all about confidence – in my ability to shoot, to translate my work to my clients, to know how to use my camera the right way. Attending a training course, run by real professionals with real experience, has changed how I think, and shown me better ways of working. The course gave me the confidence to believe in my approach and tailor my workflow and marketing to get the clients I want to work with, and still take beautiful pictures.”
Try not to take too many preconceptions along with you, and you’ll get more out of the whole session. “Being a photographer can be a lonely path at times,” says Natasha. “It’s the small but significant steps I take every day with the new knowledge I have gained that will keep moving me forward.” As you strive to become a better photographer, remember that while experience has so much to teach us, professionally-led training will always give you the edge on your competitors.
BOY ZONE
HOT STU
Dudoir focusses on a whole new type of boudoir shoot.
FF
Are you ready boys and girls? We’ve all come to know and love the boudoir genre. Since its arrival on the photographic scene it has transformed the way we capture the female form, and its influence has spread into the wider world too. Now, we at Eye Spy are firm believers in equality, so we think it’s only fair that the guys get in on the act too – and with this in mind, we’re proud to be spearheading the Dudoir movement. It’s a thrilling new fusion of boudoir, lifestyle and fine art photography, and you’re going to love it.
whether it’s a sexy, intimate shoot to create some images for someone special, or a gift from a man to himself, the shoot is an exciting and empowering event. Dudoir is a uniquely versatile product that’s perfect for the modern man. Today’s guys work out, they look after themselves, they dress with
This is a huge opportunity for photographers, allowing us to provide our existing clients with a compelling new product. The Dudoir experience can unfold in so many different ways:
and 10th d August r 3 g e th n go d-winnin re runnin ing. Awar gh the a in s a e r s T r u y o h Dudoir c hotograp you throu f t Aspire P ersley will guide a r e ages o b to c O nning im isa Ald L tu s r e g h in p r a photogr oot, captu nce that ating a sh igning an experie e r c f o t r a des ject, and t. your sub ver forge e n l t wil your clien
confidence and style... and they look great in pictures. Whether over-dressed or not wearing much at all, the Dudoir client deserves to feel amazing. Location, composition and styling are all part of this journey into photographing masculinity – call Aspire now to book your course and develop your skills in this exciting new genre!
Queensberry
SO MUCH MORE THAN ALBUMS She’s the founder of one of the photography world’s most recognised names - a name that’s synonymous with quality and luxury. But where does Heather Baugh draw her own inspiration from? Eye Spy set out to find out... Everyone knows Queensberry. It’s the photography world’s Aston Martin, Rolex and Harrods all rolled into one. The name is a byword for the kind of reassuring, effortless quality that elicits gasps and ooohs like (almost) nothing else. And yet this award-winning craftsmanship is only half of a larger story, with a design even grander than you’d expect from such a prestigious name. You might already know how Queensberry started, back in the 1970s with Heather Baugh’s leather craft business, but you might not know that her connection to the world of photography goes back a lot further, with a passion for image capture – in her own words, “its ability to enhance memory and emotion, and to reflect both back to you” - that encompassed
an exciting two-year stint at Kodak. As part of this, Heather found herself in the not-too-shabby position of being able to hire out Hasselblads at the weekend and spend hours using the in-house darkroom equipment. There are certainly worse ways to get into photography! Though fired up by her time at Kodak, Heather didn’t stay in the photography world, as a career in nursing beckoned. Family life soon took priority alongside her leather craft business, and it was at this point that the seeds of Queensberry really started to flourish, when she was asked by a New Zealand professional photographer to produce her photography albums as wedding albums. The photographer told two friends. They told two of their friends, who told two more... Cue an interlude of several years, and an
“What I love about photography is its ability to enhance memory and emotion, and to reflect both back to you”
awful lot of hard work, and Queensberry became the market leader we know today. However, that’s by no means the end of the story, as Queensberry’s motivating force is as fascinating as the products created at the company’s New Zealand headquarters. Heather has worked tirelessly to imbue her business with a wide-ranging altruism, a generosity of spirit that has real benefits for team members. With over twenty different nationalities working at the business, and with English a second language for many members of staff, Heather wanted to give something back to her team, and it’s this that has inspired the literacy programme run at Queensberry for the past three years. It’s a scheme that’s clearly very close to Heather’s heart.
“To know you have helped somebody without trade skills, and without being able to communicate, to become an artisan and be able to stand up and give a speech, is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I find it truly moving that we help make others’ lives better and more enjoyable.” As with Heather’s own design ethos (“less, less, less”), it’s an uncomplicated principle – but sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones.
You can visit Queensberry’s website at www.queensberry.com
The
Style
counsel Photographing women
Rachel Hayton
The styling of a photographic shoot is vital to the energy of that shoot, yet so often overlooked. It informs the overall look of the imagery, and without a dedicated stylist who has a genuine feel and passion for the eventual outcome it’s difficult for any real magic to happen. Something of a virtuoso at this highly specialised role, Aspire’s Rachel Hayton has a fantastic ability to ‘see’ a shoot through an artist’s eyes, putting the model at ease and laying the foundation for a successful result. “I get very inspired working alongside photographers,” she tells us. “They see the world through light, shape and composition, and I admire their ability to capture a fleeting feeling from a moment in time; they are always on the look out for beauty and expression.” To perform at her peak, Rachel needs to have a real grasp of what her priorities are. “Imagination is probably one of the most important factors to me as a stylist,” she says. “I want the photographers to feel inspired. Every detail is important. We might pick a certain theme and work around that, and sometimes the theme develops itself as the setting up and/or shoot progresses. The look and feel of a shoot needs to be reflected through the accessories, clothes and colourways that have been chosen. It can be really simple, and doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful.” Don’t be fooled – the styling work that gives an Aspire shoot its character
isn’t something that can be thrown together, and the unforgiving camera lens requires that every detail be just right. Stylists have to be highly organised and prepared in order to turn an ordinary setting into something stunning. Rachel isn’t afraid to roll her sleeves up in order to work some magic. “Having often prepared the night before, I arrive in the morning with plenty of time to start to bring the props out I need for that day, including all my craft materials in case I need my masking tape, spray paint, staple gun and so on during the set-up. Every Aspire course requires a different type of shoot, so my work is always unique. For a kids’ portraiture course, I’ll create a setting that evokes childhood; if it’s a wedding course, I’ll capture the essence of romance.” Setting the scene doesn’t stop at putting props in place, as the stylist has to plan where specific shots – details, in particular – can be captured. Any stylist worth their salt must know how to create a versatile visual environment. Says Rachel: “Images stand out to me when they tell a story, whatever that story may be. The props and details bring that story to life, and I want to be a part of that.” Of course, it doesn’t stop at dressing the location. Make-up and
hair artists are an essential part of the shoot; as Rachel says, “this completes the look of the shoot, and a model feels special and glamorous.” She’s styled some beautiful and evocative sets for Aspire’s courses, but what advice does Rachel offer to anyone who’s struggling to dress their own sets or models? “Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you like something, try to recreate it in your own way. Look at colours, shapes and textures, and have some staple garment props, like hats for kids and big tutus for girls. Remember to be yourself, remember to take care of your models, smile lots... and enjoy!”
bathing BEAUTIES Jan Huntley-Peace creates
Her career has been defined by design, and now Jan Huntley-Peace is turning her coutured eye to the world of swimwear. Everyone loves to look good. It sounds shallow, but it’s true, and few people have as keen an awareness of just how to look good as Jan HuntleyPeace. This unique Lake District fashion designer has certainly earned her stripes in the world of apparel design, with a list of colleagues that would put most aspiring fashionistas to shame. Her approach combines traditional training, in the shape of a degree in sculpture and fine art, and timeserved expertise gained from working alongside some of the fashion world’s most groundbreaking names. She cut her teeth working with Zandra Rhodes, and went on to work for David and Elizabeth Emanuel, Jean Muir and Norman Harnell, the Queen’s dressmaker. She’s also worked under Marc Bohan, the haute couture designer for Christian Dior, and designed articulated props and costumes for the 2000 Commonwealth Games. Small wonder, then, that her work is at once classically beautiful, and uncompromising in its modernity. This delicious dichotomy lies at the heart of Jan’s work. She’s unafraid to push boundaries and challenge ideas of beauty, but never loses sight of timeless aesthetic concepts. “I love the idea of wearing something
new that has a history, a narrative.” The items she creates include woven chokers, bracelets, cuffs and rings decorated with crystals, glass and silks. Her use of organic materials lends a sense of memory and history to her products – far more than garments and accessories, these are pieces of wearable art. It’s the ultimate in vintage chic, and an absolute dream for photographers. As Jan has developed her product range, from scarves and bracelets to wraps and necklaces, she’s broken new ground in blending the classic and contemporary. Nowhere this is more evident than in her Topsy and Elsie range of swimsuits, which are based on vintage designs from the 50s and 60s. This isn’t about the Emperor’s new clothes (after all, he wasn’t wearing anything at all, let alone a swimsuit) – it’s an issue that’s been close to Jan’s heart for many years. “I’ve always worn vintage cotton swimwear. The fabrics are natural and beautiful. Cotton is cool, comfortable and supportive... Lycra has its place in swimwear, but in a close fitting garment, it makes many women feel uncomfortable, hot and vulnerable. Cotton just skims the body rather than clinging.” The results speak for themselves. Elegantly detailed and deeply feminine, Jan’s designs are resolutely retro without being at all dated. Made to measure (although an off-the-peg collection is on the way too), they’re the perfect solution to beach-body worries. Says Jan: “I couldn’t find one swimsuit on the market that I liked or could feel comfortable or attractive in – or was long enough in the body.” Her inspirational vision of garment design has made Jan Huntley-Peace a sleeper hit in the world of vintage clothing, but her reputation is – rightly – spreading like wildfire. Keep your eyes and ears open for more of her beautiful new designs!
Discover Jan’s world of vintage swimwear at www.janhuntley peace.co.uk
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Hair and Make Up by Lucy Pearson www.lucypearson.co.uk Models Rachel Hayton and Rebecca Wain Photography by Rob Berry and Lisa Aldersley, both are trainers at Aspire www.robphotographer.co.uk www.la-photography.co.uk
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For more info or to book a course, talk to Mel on 01524 782200 www.aspirephotographytraining.co.uk