ZOTL Photography

SOURCING GARMENTS -

After searching I have found a couple of clothing stores and designers that I think would really suit this shoot.  I really love these garments by Rachel Riley, and found a couple of gorgeous items by The Little White Company.

I want the shoot to have a simple, fresh feel, and I need to remember to focus on small details, like bow ties, braces, socks and rolled up sleeves.

FURTHER INSPIRATION - LIGHTING AND TONE

I found these images by wonderful photographer Melanie Rodriguez. 

They appear to be shot using colorama and natural light.  I really love the soft, gentle appearance, and would like to replicate this with my new work.  I will experiment using natural light in the studio, using windows and a number of poly boards.

I am also a huge fan of the rolled colorama, as it creates a level break in the lower section of the image, and keeps the floor looking clean.

I guess these images were also taken on Polaroid, due to their super soft feel.

BUYING COLORAMA -

Above are colour charts from Colorama’s selection.  For this shoot I would like to buy a large roll of Marble, and a small roll of Lobelia for headshots, upper body and singles.

I need to consider how to create a smooth transition between swapping backgrounds, as am in a smaller room than usual, so cannot necessarily have two set up ready.  I will look into hiring two assistants to help me with this.

CASTINGS:

I put out a number of casting calls on twitter and have received a really positive response of applicants!  I have also sent a casting e-mail to the agency I used for ‘The Little Circus’ - Bonnie and Betty.

I have confirmed casting with the above model Olivia, and am currently casting the second role, for a young boy.  One of my favourite applicants is shown here; Oren.

MOODBOARD -

I have created this mood board for the project in order to help in terms of clothes styling, and general theme.  I love the natural styles of shoots involved, and also like the use of blue and cream.

I have begun to look into colorama purchasing for this shoot, and have put out castings for models and clothes designers on twitter.

INSPIRATION - BLIND MAN’S BLUFF

Image inspiration for the game Blind Man’s Bluff.  A variety of paintings and photos illustrating the game.

I intend to create realistic poses by gently turning the child a number of times, and then asking them to steady themselves, and reach for an assistant.

I want the poses to be organic and believable.

STYLISTIC INSPIRATION -

I really like the simple style of these portraits by photographer Ecole Etienne for Papier Mache magazine.  I love the colour of the backdrop, the gentle lighting, and the playful props.

The styling of the clothes is also impeccable, I love the small touches, like the feather boy’s rolled down socks, and the gun child’s cardigan over his shoulders.

This has re-assured me that this shoot can be very simple in it’s style.  I tend to get carried away with props and set, and feel that for this shoot, I should strip things back and keep the composition and concept clean cut and simple.

A FURTHER CONCEPT - HIDE AND SEEK

I have had more ideas regarding blindfolds…perhaps I could stylise the images around a game of hide and seek?  I like the idea of having a series of simple portraits of children blindfolded, perhaps after they have turned around three times to dis-orientate them, as if playing a game of hide and seek.  This has the potential to create more organic poses, such as hands spread out, reaching, like in Blind Man’s Buff.

In addition to the idea of photographing each child with blindfolds, the concept could be twisted so that one child has a blindfold, and others are photographed ‘hiding’, face away from the camera.

I could still opt for a grid like layout, and use different coloured scraps of material for the children’s blindfolds?

Potential Series Names:

Hide and Seek

Blind Man’s Buff

FURTHER INSPIRATION - CLARE ELSAESSER

I am always one for inc-operating flowers into my work, and am interested in using them to obstruct the view of the children involved.  These paintings by artist Clare Elsaesser present this idea in a new way, perhaps I could consider growing the flowers around the child’s/model’s face organically, rather than having them hold up bunches and posies?  This could create a more timeless image, and perhaps suggest that the subject has been still for a long amount of time.

INSPIRATION - ERWIN OLAF ‘KEYHOLE’

Another take on this concept which I really admire is this series, Keyhole by Erwin Olaf:

http://www.erwinolaf.com/#/portfolio/keyhole,_2011/gallery/

I absolutely adore his use of locations, patterns and wall papers, and again, really love the timeless styling.  The model’s poses are also curiously expressive.  The boy shown here looks almost as if he has been reprimanded.  This has enforced the idea of body language to me.

I have also started to consider potential locations for this shoot.  I am currently undecided as to whether I want to shoot the images on location, or in the studio.  I need to be realistic and bare in mind that I am tight on time.