COPYCAT
FEATURED ARTISTS
Photographer: Levon Baird
Website: http://www.levonbaird.com/
Instagram: @levonbaird
Stylist: Blake Sutherland
Website: http://www.blakesutherland.com/
Instagram: @blakeislively
Hair/Makeup: Liv Lundelius
Website: http://makeup.livlundelius.com/
Instagram: @liv_lundelius
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivLundeliusMakeup
Male Model: Eugen @ Vivien’s Models
Website: http://www.viviensmodels.com.au/
Instagram (Agency): @viviensmodelmgmt
Instagram (Model): @eugenzeugen
Female Model: Charli @ Vivien’s Models
Website: http://www.viviensmodels.com.au/
Instagram (Agency): @viviensmodelmgmt
Instagram (Model): @charlihayes
FEATURED FASHION
http://www.kiayadaniels.com/ / Kiaya Daniels
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEW
1. What does this collection say about your mindset when you were creating it?
That, in another time and another place, I probably would have been a
mathematician or accountant. Something a bit more ordered and organized than a photographer at least.
2. Where do you most often find inspiration from? And when you lose it...what do you do to find it?
Inspiration is hard to pin down… If I were to try to source it, I’d say that it comes from an amalgamation of things I see in day-to-day life, ranging from the obvious (like looking at the work of other photographers) to the less apparent (like the way light falls on a wall or the clothing worn by a random passerby). In the rare times where I do find myself lacking ideas taking a few days off to just relax, read a book, listen to some music and generally wind down tends to allow my mind to begin turning again.
3. What do you look for and look out for... when putting together the perfect set team?
More than anything I want people who are passionate about their areas of
expertise, willing to work hard and who have a genuine desire to be creative and try new things.
4. Why editorial, session work? So many say it’s a dead road... why did you
continue to pursue this path?
Because editorial work, as hard as it is, tends to be both the most creative and allows the most creative freedom. Besides, there’s no rule which says you can’t do both editorials and campaigns. Why restrict yourself?
5. While on set, how do you stay focused?
Abundant amounts of caffeine and a crippling fear of failure.
6. Share with us the most unexpected thing that has happened while on set, good or bad.
I'll go one better and share something that happened on this exact shoot – The female model who was originally cast just didn't show up. Normally this would spell disaster however, in this case, as we were set to shoot both a man and a woman over the course of the day we could begin shooting the man. I had originally intended to swap the models in and out (so the shooting would go male > female > male > female) so we swapped to shooting all of the men’s images first. Having to coordinate shooting an editorial with a full crew whilst also liaising with the model agency to cast a new person and get them on-set in time to have full makeup/hair done, making sure to stick to schedule the entire time… that was an interesting day.
7. Favorite quote or quotes you live by? And how do you apply them to your
work? What is your personal mantra?
No specific quote springs to mind but my personal mantra (or perhaps ideal) is that the best shoot or work that I've done is now the low bar – that everything that comes after has to be either equally as good or better.
8. Is there anyone experience(s) in particular that you feel has made the biggest impact on your career?
Assisting alongside some of the top photographers in the country is something that I've done and recommend to anyone who wants to become a photographer – being able to watch people who have spent their lives mastering their craft is both inspiring and enables you to learn a huge amount in a short span of time. I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now had I not assisted.
9. What do you believe is a common mistake within the industry? And what can others do to avoid being a cliché?
In my opinion: Not taking enough risks. Too many young creatives say they like to think “outside the box” and yet are afraid to fail. If you embrace failure and understand that not everything you try will turn out roses-and-gold then you’ll both avoid cliché entirely and produce some wonderful work during the times that your risks pay off.
10. Favorite adult beverage? Why...and when did you first have one?
Whiskey neat – I like the taste of it and it’s a great drink to have for being able to recline back at the end of a hard day and contemplate life. First had one back when I was studying though I only started liking them several years later.
