I love fashion , there I said it .
For me working on editorials with fashion stylist Nicky Rybka Goldsmith for the last 18 months has been just that. We both share the sheer excitement when we plan then shoot the stories.
Our latest collaboration, featured in the June issue of Cheshire Life was fab crazy one .I knew I wanted blossom in some form and after scouring various locations it became apparent we were to early for the real thing. So where to go?
Cue my favourite research tool the Google power, boom there it was a fantastic company based in Shropshire Trees by Design . Producing some amazing creations with real wood as the base then adding gorgeous fake blooms to the mix. So a phone call and a chat with Karlton and yes we are up for it . Now to the where to shoot the story?
For over 12 years I was based in a studio on Oldfield Road, big,cold and expensive, like a lot of photographers my work had changed and the need for such a huge space was no longer a viability . It was with some sadness I moved out in 2010 to begin what it has turned out to be a journey for me to develop a whole new style and love of one thing? Daylight Daylight Daylight as the studio then was just a box no windows.
I knew the studio had been bought and was been developed into hire studios and my old studio share tog Paul Jones was still operating out of the building . The top floor had always drawn me with it's amazing light , would it be possible? Yes again was the answer as the studio's were a bit off been ready we could work in the top space.
With Nicky pulling together some amazing pieces exclusively from Selfridges and amazing jewellery pieces from Fei Liu . The model of our choice available the stunning Lauren Earth from Boss Model Management and at last the fab Ruth Manion Palmer MUA here and available the scene was set.
Two days before the shoot date as ever my mind turns to how am I going to approach the story, I found myself looking at my shelves of kit and there she was, one of my favourite lenses from the time of film when I used primes much more than zooms. Truly one of the greatest lenses ever 85mm 1.3 Nikon prime, so decision made . I would only use this lens and work the old way, me moving not just zooming in and out . It changes how you compose and create images, having to physically move to find the shot .
The day was overwhelming on many levels , the truck full to the brim with amazing creations by Tucker, the rail of truly beautifully cut investment pieces , Balenciaga,Celine ,Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham. Mr Goldsmith had done it again, giving me fashion goosebumps, the jewellery just right for the story . I had a ball and what a team.
The day also gave me the chance to say hello to an old friend in 54 Oldfield Road and see her transformation under the new owners , lay some ghosts to rest and relish the light of the new fivefourstudios.
Credits
Credits :
All clothes from Selfridges
All jewellery from http://www.feiliu.co.uk
Stylist
Nicky Rybka-Goldsmith
www.my-fashion-stylist.co.uk
Photographer
Tracey Gibbs
www.traceygibbs.co.uk
Model
Lauren Earth
http://www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk
Hair & Make Up
Ruth Manion Palmer
http://www.rmpmakeup.co.uk/
Set Design and Build
http://www.treesbydesign.co.uk/
Studio thanks to
fivefourstudios.com
54 Oldfield Road Salford M5 4LZ